Food Network Stuns Fans With Emotional Tribute to Anne Burrell During Premiere of Her Final ‘Worst Cooks in America’ Season

Food Network Stuns Fans With Emotional Tribute to Anne Burrell During Premiere of Her Final ‘Worst Cooks in America’ Season—Beloved Chef’s Legacy Celebrated in Unforgettable Night as Viewers React With Shock and Tears Over Her Last Bow on the Culinary Hit Series

The celebrity chef died at age 55 on the morning of Tuesday, June 17 at her home in Brooklyn, New York

Anne Burrell.Credit : Ana Blumenkron/Food Network

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food Network honored Anne Burrell on Monday, July 28, with a tribute during the premiere of her final season as a mentor in Worst Cooks in America: Talented and Terrible. 

At the end of the season premiere, the network showed a smiling photo of Burrell — who died at age 55 on June 17 at her home in Brooklyn, New York — alongside the message, “In Memoriam, Anne Burrell, 1969-2025.”

This was then followed by a note, which read, “If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or chat at 988lifeline.org.”

Hosts Anne Burrell with recruit Kyle Torrence, as seen on Worst Cooks in America, Season 29.Ana Blumenkron/Food Network

 

 

 

 

 

 

The season 29 premiere episode aired after the New York City medical examiner’s office confirmed the celebrity chef’s cause of death on Thursday, July 24.  As previously reported by PEOPLE, Burrell, who was a host of the amateur cooking series since its debut in 2010, died by suicide.

Her cause of death was specified as “acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine,” the medical examiner’s office confirmed. Diphenhydramine and cetirizine are antihistamines, ethanol is a compound found in alcohol and amphetamine is commonly used to treat ADHD.

Her family previously declined PEOPLE’s request to comment.

Burrell’s co-host Gabe Bertaccini, whom she brought on for the 29th season of the show, spoke exclusively with PEOPLE on June 23 and recalled his experience meeting the famed chef.

“We really bonded over food, about my journey, my story. I remember she was so engaged in who I was, where I was from,” Beraccini told PEOPLE. “I saw a side of Anne that was so human and so interested and so inquisitive, and just smart and quick and fun and witty. She was exactly who you see on TV.”

Bertaccini admitted to being nervous when the two first began filming, but Burrell’s passion for teaching and connection with each contestant eased his nerves.

Burrell even took time to stay in touch with contestants from previous seasons, he added.

“One thing that I have to say, the love, the authentic love that she had for the contestants, for the cooks, the love that she had to really teach them,” Bertaccini said. “She was there to teach them how to cook, it wasn’t just a show.”

Anne Burrell checks in on red team recruits Nicholle Tom and Elisa Donovan during Worst Cooks in America, Season 23.Jason DeCrow/Discovery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The culinary community, including fellow co-stars, shared tributes and favorite memories following the announcement of Burrell’s death.

Rachel Ray, who made appearances on four seasons of the show, shared a touching testimonial on Instagram a day after her death on June 18.

“I’ll miss her friendship deeply,” Ray wrote. “Everyone whose life she touched will miss her. Sending love to Stuart and everyone who knew and loved Anne. We’ve lost someone truly special.”

Anne Burrell and Bobby Flay.Food Network

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bobby Flay, a fellow Food Network star, shared a message on his Instagram Stories that highlighted his friendship with Burrell on June 18.

“Worst Cooks in America was the funnest show on TV. All of your co-hosts (me included) were just alongside for the Anne Burrell ride,” Flay said. “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.”

New episodes of Worst Cooks in America: Talented and Terrible will air on Mondays at 9 pm ET on Food Network. Episodes will be available to stream on HBO Max the following day.