Before her sudden death at age 55, chef Anne Burrell revealed her dream to appear on Meghan Markle’s cooking and lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan.
In a newly resurfaced Daily Mail interview, Burrell discussed making scones for her husband, Stuart Claxton, and revealed whether she would ever appear on Markle’s show. (Netflix confirmed in March that With Love, Meghan was renewed for a second season.)
“Sure, of course. I’d go to the opening of an envelope. Why not cook with Meghan?” she teased in April, two months before her death.
The Food Network personality was also asked if she had tried Markle’s As Ever jam.
“I’m not really a jam girl,” Burrell shared. “Occasionally I make them for my husband. I make scones and we have jam then. Other than that, I wouldn’t say I’m super jammy.”
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Burrell’s death was confirmed in a statement to Us Weekly on Tuesday, June 17.
“Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered,” the statement said. “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.”
Her cause of death has not yet been confirmed by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner.
Tributes poured in from Food Network veterans and fans on social media amid the tragic news.
“We are deeply saddened to share the news that beloved chef, Anne Burrell, passed away this morning,” Food Network shared in a statement. “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.”
Chef Tyler Florence posted a touching tribute to his former Worst Cooks in America cohost, sharing that he was “heartbroken.”
“She loved our family deeply. We spent our summers in NYC filming WC’s and we all went out to dinner once a week as a big family,” he wrote via Instagram. “If we had the next day off, we would stay out late and drink Italian reds and laugh. No one was funnier. She was Mensa smart with razor wit and sincere kindness. She loved animals, especially her cats. She owned New York City. She was recognized everywhere.”
Florence, 54, continued: “The city loved her. We would go to Rangers games and she and I would make it on the Jumbotron at MSG and people would recognize her crazy hair and fall all over her. She lit up the room. A very special person who shared her love of cooking with a generation. I was lucky to have a front row seat to watch her gift. She was an incredible Chef and I learned a lot from her as we all do with one another.”
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Chef Carla Hall also took to Instagram to mourn the loss of Burrell, her friend and colleague.
“I absolutely loved working with Anne on Worst Cooks in America,” Hall, 61, wrote. “She was a fierce chef and instructor — rocking her custom skirts, mismatched socks, and that unforgettable big smile. Anne, you brought so much heart and heat to every kitchen. You. Will. Be. Missed.”
