On the morning of Tuesday, June 17, celebrity chef and Food Network personality Anne Burrell was discovered “unconscious and unresponsive” in her Brooklyn home. She was declared dead at the scene, according to the New York City Police Department.
Her family confirmed her death in a statement. According to the statement, “Anne was a cherished wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend; her smile brightened every space she entered.”
The family also stated that Anne’s light touched millions of people worldwide, reaching far beyond the people she knew. “She is no longer with us, but her spirit, warmth, and unending love never die.”
The cause of death has not yet been established by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
According to People, the famous chef performed improv at The Second City New York on Monday night. A source told the outlet, “Everyone said she was so great last night and so happy.” Burrell’s positive attitude was corroborated by another, who also mentioned that she “was in great spirits” both during and after the performance. “Normative fun, gregarious Anne, having a great time,” the insider told the outlet.
Everyone who had seen her perform the day before and thought she was doing fine was shocked by her unexpected death the following day.
Burrell wrote, “I ran into @greenladyofbrooklyn in my neighborhood today!!” on Instagram five days prior to her death. I’ll be honest: I have been watching her closely. I might or might not have spent a minute following her down the street. She is simply beautiful! #luckygirl #ilovewhatido 💚💚💚.
She has years of experience in the culinary field and has assisted hundreds of aspiring chefs in developing their cooking skills and finding their culinary voice.
She talked about the relationship between chefs and food in an April interview with TastingTable. “I genuinely believe that when you cook, your food senses your emotions and responds appropriately,” she remarked.
Mise en place was something that Anne Burrell firmly believed in.
To keep the kitchen functioning efficiently, she advised cooks to prepare ingredients in advance and clean as they go.
She became well-known for hosting Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell, All-Star Best Thing I Ever Ate, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, and making memorable appearances on Iron Chef America.
Anne Burrell’s commitment extended well beyond the kitchen. She actively supported City Harvest’s Food Council, was a celebrity ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and was a member of the Garden of Dreams Foundation’s advisory board.
“I feel so lucky to be able to share my true passion in life with others,” Burrell frequently remarked.
Her mother, Marlene, sister, Jane, brother, Ben, and husband, Stuart Claxton, as well as his son, Javier, survive her.