The culinary world is reeling from the sudden and heartbreaking loss of celebrity chef Anne Burrell—and among those mourning most deeply is her longtime friend and Worst Cooks in America co-host, Bobby Flay.
Anne, 55, passed away unexpectedly earlier this week, leaving behind not only a legacy of laughter and food but also countless memories for those who loved her. For Bobby, her death was a personal blow.
“No recipe could prepare me for this kind of loss,” he wrote on Instagram.
An Unforgettable Friendship
Bobby and Anne shared more than just a TV screen. They were friends, competitors, and kindred spirits in the kitchen. Flay joined Anne for four seasons of Worst Cooks in America, a show she helped shape into one of the Food Network’s most beloved series since its debut in 2010.
In a heartfelt tribute, Bobby described his time with Anne as “the funnest show on TV,” adding:
“All of your co-hosts (me included) were just along for the Anne Burrell ride.”
But it wasn’t just the laughter or the wild hair that made Anne unforgettable to him.
“The greatest gift I got from AB was turning me on to a world of Maine Coon Cats (including Nacho)… a gift that I’ll have forever. #unforgettable”
He posted the message alongside a photo of Anne with two cats—an image that speaks volumes about her gentle, quirky spirit. Nacho, one of Bobby’s beloved Maine Coons, passed away in 2023, but he still shares his home with two others: Stella and Canelo.
A Tragic Loss
Anne was found unresponsive in her Brooklyn home on the morning of June 17 by her husband, Stuart Claxton. According to reports, she had performed in an improv show the night before and was last seen around 1 a.m. The New York Fire Department responded to a cardiac arrest call, but an official cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
Stuart, whom she married in 2021, brought a son, Javier, into the marriage. The family described Anne in a public statement as a “beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend.”
“Her smile lit up every room she entered,” they said. “Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.”
Gone Too Soon, Remembered Forever
Anne’s sudden passing has sent shockwaves through the Food Network community and beyond. Her presence was larger than life—equal parts fierce, funny, and fiercely loyal.
Bobby Flay’s tribute, rooted in friendship and feline affection, is just one of many flooding social media in the wake of her death. But perhaps it’s the simplicity of his words that cuts deepest:
“A gift I’ll have forever.”
Rest in peace, Anne Burrell. Your flame will never go out in the hearts of those you touched.
