Remembering Anne Burrell
The sassy, spiked hair chef left an indellible mark on the culinary world.
Vivacious, spunky, and effervescent, Anne Burrell captivated fans of culinary television with her abilities and charm.
Burrell passed away this past Tuesday, at the age of 55. According to news reports, Burrell was found unresponsive at her Brooklyn home that she shared with husband Stuart Claxton.
The shocking news quickly spread throughout the culinary world, with fellow chefs and restaurateurs sending their love and condolences.
Alex Guarnaschelli posted lovely photos taken during Burrell’s wedding to Claxton, adding that the chef was excited to add wife and stepmom to her impressive roster of accomplishments. She concluded with, “No comments needed. Make this moment about her. She'd want you to go out, raise a glass, sing karaoke (including this Sia song--one of her favorite "Worst Cooks" warm up songs), and be able to say, like she does, #ilovewhatido --so do it for her. In her honor.”
Geoffrey Zakarian shared a group photo that included a beaming Burrell with fellow chefs including Scott Conant, Marcus Samuelsson, and Zakarian, adding, “This is what joy looks like, and Anne threaded that needle every single day. It’s such a sad time, and my thoughts are all over the place, but everyone in this picture was and will ever be, enamored with her kindness and how she always loved her craft and her chef family with every bit of her soul. She lived by the phrase that most rarely do: Carpe Diem. God bless your delightful soul, my good friend.”
The list goes on and on, with celebrated chefs all noting Burrell’s infectious zest for life and authenticity.
I can vouch for that. In my two decades-plus of food writing, I met Burrell many times for interviews. If I needed a story on summer cocktails or creative ways to throw a Super Bowl party, she was just a phone call away. She was always game to share her knowledge or even to just chat.
At some point, the interviews always switched to New York City and how much she loved her adopted hometown and her Carroll Gardens neighborhood. She shared with me that, growing up in tiny Cazenovia, New York (population at the time 4,000), moving to the big city was a dream and a goal. So was cooking. When she achieved both, she was grateful and elated. She made the moments count.
For all her success, Burrell was still very much a regular person.
She loved summers in the city, especially lounging on the deck of her Carroll Gardens home or hosting small get together with friends. “My go-to are red Solo cups and bamboo plates and silverware,” she told me, eschewing fancy stemware for more practical party planning.
Burrell shared one of her favorite summer recipes using a fruit that she adored: watermelon. I’m resharing it in the hopes you will make it to enjoy with the people you hold dear in your lives. Break bread, pour wine or a good IPA into a Red Solo Cup, and toast to life, joy, summer, and Anne Burrell. A most fitting tribute.
Anne Burrell’s Watermelon Feta Salad
Ingredients
1/2 medium watermelon, rind removed, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 6 cups)
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 jalapeno pepper, stem and seeds removed, cut into 1/4-inch dice
Juice and zest of 3 limes
1 bunch mint, leaves picked and cut into chiffonade
10 to 12 basil leaves, cut into chiffonade
Directions
“In a large bowl, toss all the ingredients together. Let sit 30 to 60 minutes before serving. This will allow all the flavors to marry together. If you just can't wait and need to eat the salad immediately...I SOOOOO get it!!” - Anne Burrell
I loved Anne Burrell. Her cooking show was lively and fun. She had so much positive energy. RIP.