With her bold personality, infectious energy and no-nonsense approach, learn all about Anne Burrell's career, family, best-selling cookbooks, TV appearances and more.

History and Background

With her signature spiky hair and bold personality, Anne has made quite the name for herself in the culinary world as a simple, straightforward chef with great cooking techniques.

Growing up in upstate New York in the 1970s, she developed a love for cooking early on, spending time in the kitchen with her mother, whom she fondly remembers as a great cook. Her passion for food led her to Canisius College in Buffalo, where she earned a degree in English and communications, before attending the Culinary Institute of America.

Anne further honed her skills in Italy, studying at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners while working at world-renowned restaurants like La Taverna del Lupo in Umbria and Michelin-starred La Bottega del’30 in Tuscany.

Returning to New York, she quickly rose through the ranks, working as a sous chef at Felidia under Lidia Bastianich, then as a chef at Savoy, executive chef at Lumi and special events chef at Italian Wine Merchants. She later became the executive chef at Centro Vinoteca in NYC.

A dedicated foodie and a big New York Rangers hockey fan, Anne continues to bring her passion for cooking to every aspect of her career.

Family Life

Anne met her husband, Stuart Claxton, in 2018, and the two "knew immediately" they were meant for each other. In the fall of 2021, they tied the knot at Windridge Estate in her hometown of Cazenovia, New York. Together, they share a son from Stuart’s previous marriage, Javier, as well as two fur babies, Nancy and Lorraine.

Why Anne Chose Cooking

Anne’s love for cooking started with pasta. As a child, she received an old-fashioned hand-crank pasta roller for Christmas, sparking a lifelong passion for the craft. Even today, pasta remains her happy place in the kitchen. When it came to choosing a career in the culinary world, she’s previously mentioned three key reasons:

• Cooking is a universal skill — she can go anywhere in the world and do her job because people eat everywhere.
• She loves the mix of creative, passionate and slightly nutty people who thrive in the restaurant business.
• Education in cooking never ends — there's always something new to discover, keeping her brain engaged and excited.

How Anne Got Started on Food Network

Anne made her Food Network debut as the star of Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, which aired for an impressive nine seasons. The show offered viewers a behind-the-scenes look at professional cooking, breaking down expert techniques into easy-to-follow steps and transforming restaurant-quality dishes into flavorful, approachable meals amateur chefs could re-create in their own kitchens.

Anne’s Food Network Shows

Anne has made a name for herself on television, showcasing her culinary skills and bold personality across a variety of popular cooking shows. She has competed on Iron Chef America and House of Knives, won Chopped All-Stars in 2015 and served as a judge on Chef Wanted.

As a host, she has led Vegas Chef Prizefight and the long-running Worst Cooks in America, one of Food Network’s most successful series. She has also appeared on Beat Bobby Flay, Food Network Star, Chopped and many other shows, solidifying her place as a powerhouse in the culinary entertainment world.

Chopped All-Stars

Anne competed in the inaugural season of the Chopped All-Stars tournament, winning the Food Network Personalities preliminary round and finishing as second runner-up in the finals. She returned in 2015 for the fourth installment of the tournament, where she claimed victory and won $75,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Anne chose to support the JDRF, now known as Breakthrough T1D, after her nephew was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at an early age — making the cause especially close to her heart.

Worst Cooks in America

Anne is the original host and judge of Worst Cooks in America since its inception in 2010. The reality cooking competition follows contestants, or "recruits," as they undergo an intense culinary boot camp, learning essential skills. Under the guidance of two Food Network chefs, the recruits face high-pressure cooking challenges, with one being eliminated each episode. The finalists must prepare a three-course, restaurant-quality meal for a panel of food critics, all for a chance to win $25,000.

House of Knives

Hosted by Scott Conant and judged by renowned chefs Marcus Samuelsson and Judy Joo, House of Knives is a high-stakes cooking competition where skill, innovation and strategy collide. The most talented — and ruthless — chefs from around the world battle for culinary supremacy and the ultimate $100,000 prize. In a surprise twist, Anne joined the competition in Episode 1, bringing her signature eclectic energy to the culinary battlefield. Watch Anne compete in all-new episodes of House of Knives, currently airing Tuesdays at 9|8c on Food Network.

Anne’s Cookbooks

Anne has authored two cookbooks: Cook Like a Rock Star (2011), which features 125 recipes, expert lessons and cooking secrets, and Own Your Kitchen (2013), offering 100 recipes to help home cooks build confidence and master essential techniques.

Both books became New York Times best-sellers, solidifying her reputation as a trusted culinary expert.

Fun Facts About Anne

• Her birthday is September 21, making her a Virgo.
• Surprising hobby alert! Anne loves to knit and considers it a meditative process that allows her to unwind and channel her creativity in a different way.
• Anne is absolutely obsessed with her two beloved Maine coon cats, Nancy and Lorraine, who are affectionately known on Instagram by their playful nicknames and hashtags NuttyNancyCrazyPants and LadyLorrainePeriwinkle.

What’s Anne Doing Now

Aside from competing in the new culinary challenge House of Knives, Anne is staying busy with several exciting ventures. She recently launched an Italian food stand, Anne Burrell’s Italian Eats, at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets. In addition to her work in the food industry, Anne has partnered with CareRite Centers to improve meal programs in nursing homes, ensuring that residents receive higher-quality, more nutritious dining options.

Anne continues to expand her culinary influence, bringing her passion for great food to new and diverse spaces. And, personally, we can’t wait to see what she gets up to next!