Food Network Salutes Anne Burrell With Season-Long Tributes After Tragic Passing
Jordan Collins here. Okay, I’ll explain, but try to keep up.
Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America marked the July 28 premiere of its 29th season with a heartfelt on–screen tribute to the late Anne Burrell. One month after the beloved chef was pronounced dead in her New York City apartment on June 17, the show paused its usual culinary mayhem to honor her memory. At the close of the episode, viewers were met with a smiling photo of Burrell accompanied by the words “In Memoriam.” Directly beneath, the network displayed a clear reminder: if you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
This special acknowledgement was more than a one–off moment. Three days before the premiere, Food Network confirmed to People Magazine that Burrell will be honored with a brief tribute at the end of each episode throughout the season. “Anne Burrell was a one-of-a-kind talent whose loss is being deeply felt by family, friends and fans,” said Betsy Ayala, Head of Content, Food, Warner Bros. Discovery, in a June 23 press release shared with People Magazine. “With these special programming events, we hope to honor Anne and celebrate her impact on Food Network and beyond, and to offer fans a way to remember her passion and culinary prowess that ran through everything she did.”
Burrell’s passing was confirmed as a suicide by the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office a month after she was found unresponsive, as reported by NBC News. The network responded quickly with on–air guidance and resources, underlining the importance of crisis support for those in need. The 988 recruitment demonstrates Food Network’s commitment to mental health awareness and its willingness to use prime airtime for public service.
Beyond Worst Cooks in America, Burrell had a storied career on the network. She hosted Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and made memorable appearances on Beat Bobby Flay, where celebrities like Gigi Hadid teamed up with her. Speaking to E! News, her family reflected on the void left by her death: “Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend—her smile lit up every room she entered,” they shared. “Her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.” Supermodel Gigi Hadid added her own farewell on Instagram Stories: “She was awesome. Rest in Peace Legend.”
As viewers tune in each week, they’ll see a brief but poignant acknowledgment of Burrell’s influence, reminding fans that her culinary passions and energetic mentoring will live on through the chefs she inspired. While the kitchens on Worst Cooks in America will never quite be the same without her signature enthusiasm, these weekly tributes offer a structured way to keep her legacy simmering on screen.
That’s the scoop on how Food Network is preserving Anne Burrell’s legacy in the heart of its flagship cooking competition. If anything remains unclear, feel free to rewatch the premiere—or better yet, keep your own inner flame of culinary curiosity burning as brightly as she did. Glad I could make this crystal clear for you.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, NBC News, E! News
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
