Anne Burrell, Food Network star and 'Worst Cooks in America' host, dies at 55

Anne Burrell, the quick-witted big of Food Network’s “Worst Cooks successful America,” has died. She was 55.

The tv property died Tuesday greeting astatine her location successful New York, according to her publicist.

“Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother and person — her grin lit up each country she entered,” Burrell’s household said successful a statement. “Anne’s airy radiated acold beyond those she knew, touching millions crossed the world. Though she is nary longer with us, her warmth, tone and boundless emotion stay eternal.”

Born and raised successful Cazenovia, N.Y., Burrell, inspired by her parent and personage cook Julia Child, expressed an involvement successful nutrient from a young age. She earned her grade successful English and connection astatine Canisius College successful Buffalo, N.Y., and aboriginal attended the Culinary Institute of America.

During her clip connected Food Network, Burrell was champion known for her Italian cuisine — peculiarly pasta — and competitory fire. She got her commencement connected TV arsenic a sous-chef for Mario Batali connected “Iron Chef America,” wherever she honed her skills successful contention cooking earlier launching her ain cooking show, “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef,” successful 2008.

“Anne was a singular idiosyncratic and culinary endowment — teaching, competing and ever sharing the value of nutrient successful her beingness and the joyousness that a delicious repast tin bring. Our thoughts are with Anne’s family, friends and fans during this clip of tremendous loss,” said a Food Network spokesperson.

Burrell had been a dependable beingness connected the network, competing successful “The Next Iron Chef,” “Chopped,” “Guy’s Grocery Games” and “Beat Bobby Flay.” She was besides a longtime big and mentor connected “Worst Cooks successful America,” wherever she coached teams of novice cooks arsenic they competed portion improving their culinary skills. She had assorted co-hosts since 2010 during the show’s 28-season run.

Most recently, she appeared successful the archetypal play of “House of Knives,” a seemingly “Game of Thrones”-inspired world series, hosted by Scott Conant, wherever she was among the apical chefs competing to beryllium connected the culinary throne.

Burrell authored 2 cookbooks: New York Times bestseller “Cook Like a Rock Star” (2011) and “Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire & Empower” (2013).

She is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton; stepson, Javier; mother, Marlene; siblings, Jane and Ben; nieces, Isabella and Amelia; and nephew, Nicolas.

Tracy Brown contributed to this report.