Bobby Flay reveals Anne Burrell introduced him to the ‘greatest gift’ of his life

Celebrity chef Bobby Flay, known for his high-profile relationships and current romance with Christina Pérez, shared a touching tribute to his fellow Food Network star Anne Burrell, who was found unconscious at her New York home on Tuesday, June 17. The 60-year-old restaurateur took to Instagram Stories to remember his colleague and friend, who was 55 years old at the time of her passing.

In his social media post, Flay reflected on their time together on the show Worst Cooks in America, where he appeared as one of the rotating celebrity chefs alongside Burrell for four seasons. He remembered how the show was the most fun program on TV, noting that all co-hosts, including himself, were simply along for what he called “the Anne Burrell ride.”

According to People, Flay revealed that Burrell had introduced him to Maine Coon cats, a connection that would change his life. “The greatest gift I got from AB was turning me on to a world of Maine Coon Cats (including Nacho)… a gift that I’ll have forever,” he wrote. His tribute included a photo of Burrell smiling while hugging two calico Maine Coon cats in her home.

How Burrell’s influence led to Flay’s cat-loving journey

The influence of Burrell’s love for Maine Coon cats clearly made a lasting impact on Flay’s life. He now owns Maine Coon cats himself, including an orange one named Nacho and another named Stella. Just days before Burrell’s passing, on June 15, Flay had shared a post about his love for cats, describing himself as a “cat-dad-since-forever.”

Burrell, who authored Cook Like a Rock Star and became a New York Times bestseller, had been a constant presence on Food Network since 2010. She served as a mentor on Worst Cooks in America from its beginning, building strong friendships with fellow chefs throughout her career.

The news of Burrell’s sudden death prompted many tributes from the food community, highlighting the close-knit nature of celebrity chefs in the cooking show industry, where professional relationships often become personal friendships. Among them was Rachael Ray, who had served as a bridesmaid at Burrell’s October 2021 wedding to Stuart Claxton. Ray shared her grief on Instagram, posting photos of their friendship and describing Burrell as a strong, vibrant, and fearless woman.

According to reports from the New York City Fire Department, emergency services received a 911 call at 7:50 a.m. on Tuesday, reporting concerns about Burrell having suffered cardiac arrest. At the time of reporting, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner had not yet confirmed the official cause of death.