Food Network pays tribute to Anne Burrell with poignant message as her final show premieres

Anne Burrell, beloved Food Network TV chef and host of Worst Chefs in America, sadly passed away at home on 17 June 2025.

Her final season of Worst Cooks in America: Talented and Terrible is now airing on Food Network, having premiered on 28 July, with the broadcaster airing a special tribute to the late star.

The 29th season’s premiere aired shortly after the New York City medical examiner’s office confirmed Burrell’s cause of death on 24 July.

Burrell tragically took her own life, with the cause of death specified as ‘acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine’. Amphetamine is a common ADHD medication, diphenhydramine and cetirizine are antihistamines, and ethanol is the basis of alcoholic drinks.

Burrell was one of Food Network's most prominent stars (Dia Dipasupil / Staff/Getty Images)

Food Network's tribute read: "In Memoriam, Anne Burrell, 1969-2025."

The tribute was followed by a message 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."

Her co-host, Gabe Bertaccini, told People on 23 June: “We really bonded over food, about my journey, my story. I remember she was so engaged in who I was, where I was from.

"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.”

He added that Burrell had been essential to calming his nerves when they first began filming, with her passion for cooking, teaching, and connecting with people shining through,

“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," he said.

"She was there to teach them how to cook, it wasn't just a show."

Former co-host Rachel Ray, who appeared on four seasons of Worst Cooks in America, shared a tribute to Instagram on 18 June: “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.”

Tributes have highlighted Burrell's generosity of spirit (Dave Kotinsky / Stringer/Getty Images)

Fellow Food Network star Bobby Flay similarly paid tribute to Burrell on 18 June.

“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,” he 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.”

Burrell’s final season of Worst Cooks in America is airing on Mondays at 9pm ET on Food Network, and episodes will be available to stream on HBO Max on the day after airing.