Food Network is honoring one of its most illustrious stars: Anne Burrell, who died on June 17 at the age of 55.
The TV station devoted to all things gourmet announced on Monday that the late chef’s final season of Worst Cooks in America — on which Burrell served as a mentor for 27 seasons — will premiere on July 28. Dubbed Worst Cooks in America: Talented and Terrible, the season will see Burrell face off against brand new boot camp mentor, Italian chef Gabe Bertaccini, to help finesse some truly terrible amateur cooks into budding gourmands.
Food Network will also devote an evening of curated programming to Burrell, showcasing some of her finest moments across her two decades on TV. An episode of Guy Fieri‘s Guy’s Grocery Games featuring Burrell and chefs Eric Greenspan, Jet Tila, and Marcel Vigneron kicks off the special series on June 25, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Two specials follow — a 15-part countdown compilation Worst Cooks in America: Worst of the Worst, and behind-the-scenes deep dive Worst Cooks in America: Boot Camp Diaries.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s Head of Food Content, Betsy Ayala, shared in a statement accompanying the announcement, “Anne Burrell was a one-of-a-kind talent whose loss is being deeply felt by family, friends and fans. With these special programming events, we hope to honor Anne and celebrate her impact on Food Network and beyond, and to offer fans a way to remember her passion and culinary prowess that ran through everything she did.”
Police found Burrell unconscious and unresponsive in her Brooklyn home in the early hours of June 17. Emergency medical services later pronounced her dead on the scene. The Office of New York’s Chief Medical Examiner has not yet released an autopsy report, which means Burrell’s cause of death is still unknown.
“Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered,” Burrell’s family shared in a statement to Entertainment Weekly. “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.”
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After training in Asti, Italy, Burrell became a chef at renowned New York City restaurants Felidia and Savoy. After being tapped by Mario Batali to work as a chef for Italian Wine Merchants, the TV star recognized Burrell’s potential and appointed her his sous chef on Iron Chef America in 2005.
Burrell went on to host her own series, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, for nine seasons, anchor Worst Cooks in America for a staggering 27 seasons, and participate as a competitor, mentor, and judge on all manner of Food Network shows, from Beat Bobby Flay to The Next Iron Chef.
Food Network’s special block of programming honoring Burrell kicks off Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET/PT, and Worst Cooks in America season 29 premieres July 28 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
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