Food Network Star Anne Burrell’s Friend Reveals Private Pain She Concealed Before Death at 55

Food Network Star Anne Burrell Remembered by Friends After Sudden Death at 55
(Include images: Anne Burrell with Duff Goldman; Burrell’s trademark spiky hair; Burrell and husband Stuart Claxton)

Food Network chef Anne Burrell, co-host of Worst Cooks in America, was found unresponsive in her Brooklyn apartment on June 17 after her husband, Stuart Claxton, discovered her on the shower floor. First responders reported a cardiac arrest, but her cause of death remains under investigation. Law enforcement sources revealed “unknown pills” were found nearby, per TMZ.

Duff Goldman’s Emotional Tribute
Close friend and fellow chef Duff Goldman shared a heartfelt Instagram post, recalling their nearly 20-year friendship. He revealed Burrell faced personal struggles in 2006, prompting him to gift her a cake reading, “Don’t let the b**s win.” Goldman noted their bond included playful debates, like one about catfish being a “trash fish,” but emphasized her resilience and hidden kindness: “Past her tough armor was compassion and beauty.”

(Image: Goldman and Burrell laughing at an event)

He recounted a recent reunion at a NYC gala, where Burrell, meeting his young daughter, seemed “full of light” and happiness. “Her genuine smile makes this tragedy a little more bearable,” he wrote, signing off with a fishing joke referencing their old dispute.

Elizabeth Falkner’s Shock Over Sudden Loss
Chef Elizabeth Falkner, who dined with Burrell days before her death, described her as “in pretty decent shape” and thriving in her role as a stepmother to Claxton’s son, Javier, 20. “It’s so sudden and shocking… the culinary family feels this deeply,” Falkner told Daily Mail. The pair had reconnected at a June 9 Soho House dinner, where Burrell texted afterward, “Let’s talk more often.”

(Image: Burrell cooking at an event)

A Life of Passion and Love
Burrell, known for her spiky platinum hair and fiery TV persona, gushed about marital bliss in an April interview, calling her nearly four-year marriage “a honeymoon phase.” Falkner recalled encountering the couple in Rome pre-wedding, noting their joy.

(Image: Burrell and Claxton smiling together)

Despite her tough chef persona, Falkner praised Burrell’s culinary legacy: “She educated millions and had mad skills.” Tributes highlight a woman who balanced intensity with warmth, leaving a void in the food world. Investigations into her death continue.

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