Celebrity Chef Anne Burrell passes away at 55, after going into cardiac arrest
Acclaimed Food Network star Anne Burrell was found unconscious and unresponsive in her Brooklyn home on June 17, according to the New York City Police Department. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene.
Police from the 76th Precinct were dispatched to Burrell’s residence at approximately 7:50 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive woman. She went into cardiac arrest.
Officers confirmed the woman was deceased upon arrival. Although the NYPD has not formally named the deceased, details shared by police align with Burrell’s known address, and her family later confirmed her death. She was 55.
In a statement, the Food Network honoured her legacy: “Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent – teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring. Our thoughts are with Anne’s family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss.”
We are deeply saddened to share the news that beloved chef, Anne Burrell, passed away this morning. Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent – teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring. Our… pic.twitter.com/KABKH2SvkP
— Food Network (@FoodNetwork) June 17, 2025
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the official cause and manner of death. No further details have been released regarding possible medical history or circumstances leading up to her passing.
Burrell rose to fame through her work on popular cooking programmes including Worst Cooks in America, Iron Chef America, Chopped, and Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, the latter of which earned her an Emmy nomination and ran for nine seasons.
She was also the author of two cookbooks — Cook Like a Rock Star and Own Your Kitchen — both of which became New York Times bestsellers.
Colleagues and fans have since paid tribute. Chef Tyler Florence, who co-hosted Worst Cooks in America with Burrell, remembered her as a close friend and a gifted teacher. “She brought her generous heart, humour and feisty spirit to everything she did,” he said.
Anne Burrell is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton; her stepson, Javier; her mother, Marlena; and her siblings, Jane and Ben.
An autopsy report is expected in the coming days.
