The Food Network’s tribute to the late Anne Burrell has been branded an ’embarrassment’ and a ‘slap in the face’ by outraged fans.
Burrell died by suicide at the age of 55 on June 17, and on July 27 the channel honored her during the premiere of her final season as a mentor in Worst Cooks in America: Talented and Terrible.
At the end of the episode, a tribute message read: ‘In Memoriam, Anne Burrell, 1969-2025.’
‘If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available,’ another note read.
‘Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or chat at 988lifeline.org.’
Burrell’s furious fans were disappointed by the ‘five second’ tribute due to it airing at 10pm and questioned why it could not have been scheduled for earlier in the day.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one furiously penned: ‘Chef Burrell deserves more than a tribute beginning at 10pm. Surely you can shelve the endless hours of Triple D and Triple G that clog up your lineup for a more comprehensive tribute.’
Another scorned: ‘At 10pm when no one is really watching. Great idea!’
The Food Network’s tribute to the late Anne Burrell has been branded an ’embarrassment’
The channel honored Burrell during the premiere of her final season as a mentor in Worst Cooks in America: Talented and Terrible
‘Wow a single day starting at 10pm? Complete disrespect,’ slammed a third.
Another wrote: ’10pm? Why not earlier in the day? Didn’t she start with Batali and Iron Chef? You could run Secrets of a Restaurant Chef most of the day. That was a great show.’
‘Whoever came up with the 10pm timeslot should be fired,’ quipped a fifth. ‘What an embarrassment and slap in the face.’
A sixth posted: ‘Just watched Worst Cooks in America and it was kinda weird they had a five-second tribute to Anne Burrell at the end. I had expected they would open the show with some acknowledgment that she had died.’
‘A little bittersweet watching this knowing it’s Anne’s last season but a little shocked they had nothing at the beginning of the episode mentioning her passing or dedicating the season to her?’ added a seventh.
Last month, Burrell, who hosted Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and co-hosted Worst Cooks in America, was found dead inside her Brooklyn apartment.
According to the New York City medical examiner’s office, her cause of death was listed as ‘acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine.’
Diphenhydramine and cetirizine are both antihistamines, ethanol is a type of alcohol, and amphetamine is a stimulant often prescribed for ADHD.
A tribute aired after the episode at 10pm, a move that irked Burrell’s fans
Burrell’s furious fans were disappointed by the tribute due to it airing at 10pm and questioned why it could not have been scheduled for earlier in the day
At the time, a Food Network spokesperson said: ‘Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent – teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring.
‘Our thoughts are with Anne’s family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss.’
Television personality Burrell had taken a break from her show Worst Cooks In America for season 28 before her death, a decision that baffled many fans.
However, speaking to Tori Spelling, Burrell explained: ‘I can cook, yes, I can do TV, but also, what else? I’ve got more to do in my life, I feel like.’
She also admitted that she was just ‘dipping my toe’ when it came to the pivot to acting.
Burrell added: ‘I feel very excited about it. I’ve got a few other things that I’m working on as well, which I’m not quite ready to share yet. Hopefully, exciting [are] things coming.’