Anne Burrell. Credit: Manny Carabel/Getty Images
A friend of TV chef Anne Burrell said she hid her pain before she died.
He opened up about her(Anne Burrell) health struggles.
Anne was found unresponsive on her bathroom floor at 7:50 AM on June 17.
First responders got a 911 call reporting cardiac arrest.
The official cause of death is pending autopsy.
Law enforcement told TMZ they found many “unknown pills” nearby and are investigating their role in her death.
Duff Goldman, known for Charm City Cakes and a long-time friend, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.
“I’ve written and re-written this post so many times in the past 24 hours,” he wrote.
In 2006, Duff made her a cake that read “Don’t let the b******s win.”
“She never did,” he said.
Goldman recalled their last heartfelt moment at a New York City gala.
He and his daughter were warming up in the lobby when they ran into Anne.
“That conversation left my heart lifted and full of light,” he said.
He felt Anne had found “a measure of happiness and love.”
He called her “tough as they come,” but also full of deep compassion and kindness.
Reflecting on their bond, he shared a final wish:
“Anne, wherever you are, I hope they have slow-moving rivers.
I’ll teach you how to catch and cook the best catfish you ever had.
Rest up, chef.”
Chef Elizabeth Falkner, who saw Anne at a Soho House dinner on June 9, echoed Duff’s shock.
“I think Anne looked in pretty decent shape, so it surprised me,” she said.
Anne texted her the next day:
“Thanks so much for inviting us. It was a truly lovely time and very delicious.
Please send me some pics so I can post.”
Elizabeth added, “We had just said, ‘Let’s talk and text more often.’
I feel like our friendship got cut short way too fast.”
Anne was born in Cazenovia, NY, in 1969.
She earned her Culinary Institute of America diploma in 1996.
She trained in Italy and worked under Lidia Bastianich at Felidia.
Her career took off with Iron Chef America and Secrets of a Restaurant Chef.
She held long-running roles on Chopped, Chef Wanted, and Worst Cooks in America.
Anne wrote two cookbooks and last appeared on House of Knives in March 2025.
Her mix of grit and heart won fans over.
“She wasn’t only a TV chef,” Falkner said. “She was a really good cook with mad skills.”
Anne is survived by her husband Stuart, stepson Javier, mother Marlene, sister Jane, brother Ben, and nieces and nephews Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas.
