Burrell was best known as the longtime host of Food Network’s “Worst Cooks in America.”
NEW YORK — Anne Burrell, the spiky-haired celebrity chef who became a Food Network fixture through her infectious personality and culinary expertise, died Tuesday at her Brooklyn home. She was 55.
Representatives for Burrell confirmed her death to multiple media outlets. The cause was not immediately disclosed. Emergency medical services received a call to her Brooklyn home Tuesday morning after she was found unresponsive, TMZ reported.
Burrell was best known as the longtime host of Food Network’s “Worst Cooks in America,” where she transformed kitchen disasters into capable home cooks. Her trademark platinum spiky hair and boisterous laugh made her one of the network’s most recognizable personalities. She was a frequent judge on the network’s many popular competition shows, such as “Chopped.”
Burrell graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1996 and later trained at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners. After working at acclaimed New York restaurants, Burrell transitioned to television in the early 2000s. She first gained national attention as a sous chef to Mario Batali on “Iron Chef America.”
Her breakout came with “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef,” which premiered on the Food Network in 2008 and ran for nine seasons, earning Emmy nominations. The show led to her starring role on “Worst Cooks in America,” which she hosted for 27 seasons.
Burrell also appeared on numerous Food Network programs including “Chef Wanted,” “Chopped” and “Food Network Star.”
She authored two cookbooks: “Cook Like a Rock Star” (2011), a New York Times bestseller, and “Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower.”
“Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered,” her family said in a statement. “Anne’s light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.”