Food Network Pays Tribute to Anne Burrell on Final Season of ‘Worst Cooks in America’ originally appeared on Parade.
Food Network paid tribute to chef Anne Burrell on Monday, July 28 during the premiere of her final season as a mentor in Worst Cooks in America: Talented and Terrible.
At the end of the premiere episode, the show featured a smiling photo of Burrell alongside the message, “In Memoriam, Anne Burrell, 1969-2025.”
The photo was followed by a note, saying, “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.”
Burrell died at age 55 on June 17 at her home in Brooklyn, New York. On Thursday, July 24, her cause of death was ruled a suicide.
Burrell’s co-host Gabe Bertaccini, whom she brought on for the 29th season of the show, recalled his experience to PEOPLE on meeting the iconic 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,” Bertaccini said. “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 added that he was nervous when he first began filming, but that Burrell’s passion for teaching and ability to connect with each contestant calmed his nerves. He added that she even kept in contact with many of the contestants from previous seasons.
“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 continued. “She was there to teach them how to cook, it wasn’t just a show.”
New episodes of Worst Cooks in America: Talented and Terrible will air on Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on Food Network. Episodes will be available to stream on HBO Max the following day.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
Food Network Pays Tribute to Anne Burrell on Final Season of ‘Worst Cooks in America’ first appeared on Parade on Jul 29, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
