In a world where TV chefs become household names, few shined quite like Anne Burrell.
Known for her spiky blonde hair, big laugh, and unapologetic flair, the Food Network star’s unexpected death at age 55 has left the culinary community in shock.
Friends are now opening up, not just about her recent years of happiness, but also the quiet battles she may have faced long before the headlines.
A Tragic Morning in New York
On the morning of June 17, Anne was found “unconscious and unresponsive” at home.
The New York Fire Department confirmed it responded to a call reporting cardiac arrest just before 8 a.m.
Though her exact cause of death remains under investigation, TMZ reported that law enforcement found an assortment of “unknown pills” near her body.
For now, her passing remains a heartbreaking mystery.
Duff Goldman Recalls the Real Anne
Baker and fellow Food Network star Duff Goldman, who became close with Anne nearly two decades ago, paid tribute to her in a deeply personal Instagram post.
Sharing a throwback photo and a heartfelt note, Duff reflected on their first years of friendship when Anne was still rising in the TV world.
He recalled a particularly difficult time in her life around 2006, when she was just breaking into television.
“She was going through some stuff,” he shared, revealing that he once baked her a cake that read, “Don’t let the b*****s win.”* According to Duff, she never did.
Behind the Sass Was a Heart of Gold
Though Anne’s larger-than-life personality became her trademark, Duff described a more complex woman underneath the public persona.
“She had this armor, but past that, there was so much kindness and compassion,” he wrote.
Their bond, while filled with humor and sarcastic jabs—including one fierce debate about catfish—was always rooted in affection.
He described running into Anne again at a New York gala years later, this time as a father.
“She gave me and my daughter a genuine smile,” he said. “It really felt like she had found peace.”
A Celebration Turned Goodbye
Another dear friend, chef Elizabeth Falkner, also opened up about the sudden loss.
Just days before Anne’s death, on June 9, she had hosted an intimate dinner at Soho House in New York.
Falkner, who invited her to the event, remembers Anne showing up with her husband, Stuart Claxton, and being in great spirits.
“She was in good shape,” Falkner said. “She was happy, smiling, enjoying life.
This is just so shocking.”
One Final Text and a Plan to Stay in Touch
The day after the dinner, Anne texted Falkner to thank her for the invite, calling the evening “lovely” and “delicious.”
They agreed to talk more often—a plan that, heartbreakingly, they never got to follow through on.
“I’m just bummed,” Falkner said, holding back tears.
“It felt like our friendship had just rekindled, and now it’s been cut short.”
Loving Life Outside the Kitchen
Falkner also shared that Anne spoke warmly about being a stepmom to her husband’s 20-year-old son, Javier.
“She was enjoying her life outside of being a chef and TV personality,” Falkner said.
“And that’s not easy when your career is so demanding.”
Anne had spoken to the Daily Mail back in April about her marriage, describing her relationship with Stuart as something that still felt new and exciting, even after nearly four years.
From Rome to the Aisle
Their love story started in 2018 when they met on a dating app, and by 2021, they were married. Falkner even remembered bumping into Anne and Stuart in Rome just before the wedding. “It was so random—but so Anne,” she recalled with a fond laugh.
A Loss That Hits the Culinary World Hard
The news of Anne’s death sent ripples through the food community, especially for those who saw her not just as a TV personality, but as a real chef with serious skills. “She wasn’t just made for TV—she could really cook,” Falkner said.
She praised Anne’s ability to teach and mentor, even on a challenging show like Worst Cooks in America. “She had mad skills. She was intimidating but sweet, and she had this sparkle about her.”
Remembering Her Spark
As tributes continue pouring in, one thing is clear—Anne Burrell left an impression far beyond the screen. She was bold, brilliant, fiercely talented, and deeply human. And while her passing may leave a void, her legacy, laughter, and unmistakable presence will continue to live on in kitchens and hearts everywhere.