Food Network Chef Anne Burrell's Last Project Was Announced Days Before Her Death

The celebrity chef's final professional chapter unfolded quietly but meaningfully, tied to a culinary rollout that highlighted her enduring passion for food and care.

Just days before her passing, renowned Food Network chef Anne Burrell was actively involved in what would become her last professional endeavor.

CareRite Centers officially announced the expansion of its Signature Culinary Excellence program in collaboration with Burrell, bringing the initiative to six senior care communities in South Florida.

On June 4 and 5, Burrell visited several CareRite centers, including Palmetto Subacute Care Center in Miami, The Pearl and The Savoy at Fort Lauderdale Rehabilitation and Nursing Centers, The Encore and The Legacy at Boca Raton Rehabilitation and Nursing Centers, and the soon-to-join Coral Reef Subacute Care Center.

These visits marked the program's official debut in the region.

Widely recognized for her work on several cooking shows, Burrell lent her culinary expertise to enhance the healthcare dining experience. Her goal, as mentioned, was to deliver meals that were "good for the soul."

Each CareRite center showcased its own culinary identity. Residents and guests enjoyed offerings such as farm-fresh omelettes, golden waffles, and Cuban-inspired dishes. The program launch featured tasting events where attendees met Burrell and sampled dishes curated under her direction.

In-house chefs at each location underwent training through the CareRite Culinary Portal, an award-winning education platform recognized by McKnight's Long Term Care News. The training aimed to help staff replicate Burrell's signature recipes with precision and care.

CareRite emphasized the initiative's broader purpose. "We're not just serving food, we’re creating meaningful moments through flavor and connection," a representative stated. "This is more than a menu change. It's a culture shift."

An Instagram post by CareRite Centers, dated June 11, reflected on the collaboration, "Last week, we had the incredible honor of hosting Celebrity Chef Anne Burrell across our CareRite Centers in South Florida as part of our Signature Culinary Excellence launch!"

The post shed light on the hands-on chef training, tastings, and new culinary direction aimed at transforming the dining experience in these communities.

Before this Florida expansion, Burrell had already partnered with CareRite in other regions. According to a May 23 Instagram post by CareRite Centers, she participated in tasting events at Green Hills Center and Gallatin Center for Rehabilitation and Healing in Tennessee.

These events were also part of the Signature Culinary Excellence Program and featured residents, their families, patients, and Councilman Steven Carter of the Gallatin City Council.

The initiative in Tennessee, as highlighted in the post, aimed to bring "a fresh, bold approach to dining in subacute and skilled nursing care."

Her efforts with CareRite Centers marked a poignant closing chapter in a career defined by passion and personality.

The culinary star known for her signature spiky blond hair and dynamic presence on the Food Network was found unresponsive in her Brooklyn home on the morning of Tuesday, June 17, 2025, according to TMZ.

Paramedics attempted to revive her but were unsuccessful. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The city medical examiner is expected to conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Burrell is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton and his son, Javier. She also leaves behind her mother, Marlene; her sister, Jane; her brother, Ben; and her children, Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas.

In a statement, her family said, "Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered. Anne's light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal."

That warmth was evident even in her final days, as she remained publicly engaged and characteristically joyful.

Just five days before her death, Burrell shared a cheerful post on Instagram on June 12, captioned: "I ran into @greenladyofbrooklyn in my neighborhood today!! I'm not going to lie- I have been keeping an eye out for her. I may or may not have followed her down the street for a minute. She is just lovely!!! #ilovewhatido #luckygirl 💚💚💚."

In April, she offered what would become one of her final in-depth reflections on her culinary outlook during an interview with TastingTable.

Burrell spoke about the emotional relationship between a cook and their food, an idea that shaped her approach both on and off-screen. "I truly in my heart feel that your food knows how you're feeling when you cook it and it reacts accordingly," she said.

She believed cooking should be enjoyable, not intimidating. Working with beginners on "Worst Cooks in America," she emphasized creating a supportive environment.

Her goal was to help people feel confident in the kitchen by focusing on fun over fear. She brought positivity to her approach and encouraged others to see mistakes as part of learning.

She also valued discipline and preparation. "Find a recipe for it. Don't just try to wing it. Find a recipe, read several recipes and pick out the one that you feel most comfortable with or the one that you like the best, and then read it from beginning to end before you start cooking," she advised.

Burrell emphasized staying organized in the kitchen. She advised preparing all ingredients in advance — mise en place — and cleaning as you go to reduce stress and keep the process smooth.

This approach helps avoid a mess and allows for a calmer cooking experience. She also stressed tasting food while cooking to ensure proper flavor.

Burrell's commitment to encouragement, authenticity, and sharing her passion was evident both in her final interview and in her casual interactions with fans.

In January, when asked on Instagram why she wasn't appearing on the "Worst Cooks in America," she responded candidly, "Honestly I don't know. 🤷🏼‍♀️😑❤️."

In addition to "Worst Cooks in America," the Cazenovia native was widely recognized for hosting "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef," "All-Star Best Thing I Ever Ate," and "Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell." She also made appearances on "Iron Chef America."

A 1996 graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, she built a reputation for her energetic teaching style and unapologetic flair in the kitchen.

Outside of her professional achievements, Burrell often expressed joy in her personal life. In a March 2023 interview with People, she and her husband, Claxton, reflected on their relationship.

Burrell shared, "I have to say, I love being married. We're together all the time because Stuart works from home. It's the being together all the time, but it's also the adventure together." Claxton remarked, "It's been wonderful, to say the least."

The couple met on Bumble in 2018 and became engaged in April 2020 while quarantining with her family in Cazenovia, New York. They married in October 2021 at Windridge Estates Redbarn 20, surrounded by loved ones and close friends, including fellow Food Network chefs and TV personalities.

Their post-wedding chapter included moving in together for the first time and settling into a renovated apartment in Brooklyn. "We've been getting the marital home set up," Burrell said. "And it's just been so fun to see that all come together."

Looking ahead, the couple spoke about their hopes for more shared experiences, from home-cooked meals to karaoke nights and travel. "I'm looking forward to taking a trip — just the two of us," Burrell added.

From transforming healthcare dining to inspiring home cooks, Burrell remained a vibrant force in every space she entered. Her lasting legacy lives on — not only through her televised work and written words, but also in the countless kitchens she touched with warmth, wisdom, and heart.