NEW YORK — A law enforcement official says Chef Anne Burrell’s death is being investigated as a possible drug overdose.
Officials say she was discovered unconscious and unresponsive in the shower surrounded by approximately 100 assorted pills.
Burrell, best known as the longtime co-host of Food Network’s “Worst Cooks in America,” died Tuesday at her home in New York. She was 55.
Her cause of death is still pending further testing.
In a statement, Burrell’s family remembered her as “a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend.”
“Her smile brought brightness to every room she walked into,” the statement expressed. “Anne’s luminescence reached far beyond her immediate circle, impacting millions globally. Even though she is now gone, her warmth, spirit, and endless love will forever endure.”
Food Network also honored the late chef in a separate statement.
“Anne was an extraordinary individual and cooking expert—always teaching, participating in competitions, and sharing the significance of food in her world and the happiness that a delightful meal can deliver,” mentioned the network. “Our thoughts are with Anne’s family, friends, and fans during this overwhelming time of loss.”
Born on September 21, 1969, in Cazenovia, New York, Burrell discovered her love for cooking at an early age, motivated by her mother’s homemade dishes and TV legend Julia Child.
She earned a degree in English and Communications from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, before pursuing her culinary education at the Culinary Institute of America, graduating in 1996.
She went on to study in Italy at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners, where she honed her love for Italian cuisine through apprenticeships across the country.
Upon returning to the U.S. in 1998, Burrell worked as a sous chef at Felidia in Manhattan under Lidia Bastianich and later led the kitchen at Savoy in SoHo, where she crafted Mediterranean-inspired dishes over an open wood fire.
After several years in the restaurant world, she transitioned to teaching at the Institute of Culinary Education for over three years. She later returned to kitchens and began her television career as a sous chef on “Iron Chef America,” eventually landing her own Emmy-nominated show, “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef,” which ran for nine seasons.
Burrell became a staple on Food Network, appearing in shows including “Chopped,” “Chef Wanted” and “Food Network Star,” most recently competing in “House of Knives” in 2025.
She also authored two cookbooks, including the New York Times bestseller “Cook Like a Rock Star.”
Burrell is survived by her husband Stuart Claxton, whom she married in October 2021, and his son Javier; her mother Marlene; her sister Jane and Jane’s children Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas; and her brother Ben.
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