‘RIP my friend': SoBe food fest founder shares sweet story about chef Anne Burrell

Miami Herald

6 days ago

Anne Burrell's sudden death at 55 on Tuesday came to a shock to all who knew her — or felt like they knew her.
On social media, celebrities as well as fans posted tributes to the chef famous for such Food Network shows as 'Worst Cooks in America.'
'Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered,' her family said in a statement. '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.'
Burrell was also a fixture at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival for a number of years, hosting various events and dinners.
On Instagram, SOBEWFF's founder Lee Schrager posted a picture of the two posing together, her spiky blond hair on full display, in an undated photo.
The local businessman/foodie wrote that he was 'beyond saddened' by the news, and shared a serendipitous story about Burrell, before she hit it big on TV.
Schrager recounted introducing Burrell to Food Network's then-president Brooke Johnson at West Village hotspot Centro Vinoteca, where the rising star briefly ran the kitchen from 2007 to 2008.
'She was already on the map on 'Iron Chef,' on Mario Batali's team, but kind of in the background,' Schrager told the Miami Herald Wednesday. 'I raved about her to Brooke. Anne was bigger than life and the food was extraordinary. From there, things really took off for her and deservedly so.'
Soon after that fateful meeting, Burrell left Vinoteca due to 'numerous career commitments and a very busy schedule.' The Upstate New York native went on to host of 'Secrets of a Restaurant Chef' for nine seasons and appeared on multiple hit shows including 'The Best Thing I Ever Ate,' 'Beat Bobby Flay,' 'Chopped' and most recently, 'House of Knives.'
'She was a cooks' cook, a guys' gal, competitive like I have never seen before, a real talented broad, who is gone way way too soon,' Schrager's post continued. 'RIP my friend.'
The comments section was full of people who had the pleasure of interacting with Burrell at his annual fest that began in 1997 as the Florida Extravaganza at FIU, to raise funds for the School of Hospitality & Tourism Management.
'I'm so shook to my core. I loved chef Anne from the early days. I watched her as sous chef [on] Iron Chef and met her for the first time behind the demo stage at SOBEWFF. I'm truly saddened by this great loss.'
'She was what I looked forward to at SOBE!'
And, from the SOBEWFF account: 'Her presence on the sand and beyond will never be forgotten.'
Burrell was found 'unconscious and unresponsive' at her Brooklyn home at about 7:50 a.m., according to the New York City Police Department, and pronounced deceased on the scene. A cause of death is pending an autopsy.