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Anne Burrell
Burrell in 2024
Born (1969-09-21)September 21, 1969
Cazenovia, New York, U.S.
Died June 17, 2025(2025-06-17) (aged 55)
New York City, U.S.
Education The Culinary Institute of America
Canisius College
Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners
Spouse
Stuart Claxton
(m. 2021)

Anne W. Burrell was an American chef, TV personality, and cooking instructor. She was born on September 21, 1969, and passed away on June 17, 2025.

Anne was well-known for hosting the Food Network show Secrets of a Restaurant Chef. She also co-hosted Worst Cooks in America, a popular reality TV series. Many people also saw her as a sous chef for Mario Batali on Iron Chef America.

Early Life and Education

Anne Burrell was born in Cazenovia, New York. She became interested in cooking at a very young age, around three years old. She was inspired by watching the famous American chef Julia Child. Anne also loved watching her mother, Marlene, make homemade foods.

Her first job was at a restaurant in downtown Syracuse, New York. She later went to Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. In 1991, she earned a degree in English and Communications.

A year later, Anne decided to focus on her passion for cooking. She enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America and graduated in 1996. She also studied at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners (ICIF) in Asti, Italy.

Cooking Career

After her studies in Italy, Anne stayed there for nine months. She worked in different restaurants, gaining valuable experience. One place was La Bottega del '30, a small restaurant in Tuscany.

Working in Restaurants

When Anne returned to the United States, she became a sous chef at Felidia. This restaurant was owned by the famous chef Lidia Bastianich. Later, Anne became the main chef at Savoy, a small dining room.

After working in restaurants, Anne started teaching at the Institute of Culinary Education. She also became the chef for Italian Wine Merchants in New York. This was a wine store owned by Lidia Bastianich's son, Joe Bastianich, and Chef Mario Batali.

In 2007, Anne became the executive chef at Centro Vinoteca. This was an Italian restaurant in New York City. She left in 2008 because she had a very busy schedule. Anne later opened her own restaurant, Phil & Anne's Good Time Lounge, in Brooklyn in 2017. However, it closed in 2018.

Television Shows

Anne Burrell became a familiar face on television. In 2005, Chef Mario Batali asked her to be one of his sous chefs. This was for a test taping of the Food Network show Iron Chef America. She continued to be his sous chef on the show.

Her own Food Network series, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, started on June 29, 2008. In 2009, she also appeared on The Best Thing I Ever Ate. On this show, chefs talked about their favorite dishes.

Worst Cooks in America

In 2010, Anne Burrell began co-hosting Worst Cooks in America. This Food Network reality show helps people who are not good at cooking. Anne and her co-host guided contestants through a "culinary boot camp." The goal was to help them become better cooks.

Anne's team won the first season of the show. In the second season, Chef Robert Irvine joined as co-host. Anne won again, and her recruit, Joshie Berger, was the winner. The third season premiered in 2012 with Chef Bobby Flay as the new co-host. Anne's team won for the third time.

In season four, Chef Flay's team finally defeated Anne's team. Anne also competed in Chopped All-Stars. In 2015, she won the fourth Chopped All-Stars tournament. She won $75,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, a charity that helps kids with diabetes.

Other Projects

Anne Burrell also participated in other events. In 2009, she appeared with fellow Food Network star Guy Fieri on the Guy Fieri Roadshow. She also appeared in the 2009 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on the Food Network float.

From 2012 to 2013, Anne hosted Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell on the Food Network. This show ran for three seasons. Anne also wrote two cookbooks with Suzanne Lenzer. These books, Cook Like a Rock Star (2011) and Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower (2013), became very popular.

Personal Life

Anne Burrell met Stuart Claxton through a dating app in 2018. They got engaged on April 21, 2020. Anne and Stuart were married on October 16, 2021.

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