Melissa Peterman Shares Loving Tribute to ‘Spectacular’ Friend, Food Network’s Anne Burrell

As friends and family gathered to remember Food Network star Anne Burrell in New York on June 20, 2025, Hallmark and sitcom star Melissa Peterman paid tribute to her friend via social media.

According to the New York Post, a private wake was held on the Upper East Side for Burrell, whose husband discovered her unconscious in a bathroom at their apartment on the morning of June 17. A cause of death has not been determined for Burrell, who was 55.

Peterman, 53, became fast friends with Burrell when she competed on a 2017 celebrity edition of Food Network’s “Worst Cooks in America.” Posting several throwback photos with Burrell and fellow actress Nicole Sullivan, a fellow “Worst Cooks” contestant, Peterman wrote, “After she taught us to be better cooks, she was stuck with us. Chef Anne became a friend.”

The “Finding Mr. Christmas” star continued, “I might not see her often but when I did we made up for it! We ate enough, laughed enough and were probably loud enough to last until the next time. She was funny, smart and passionate. She really cared about teaching people and making them more confident in the kitchen.”

Melissa Peterman Recalls ‘One of My Favorite Nights Ever’ With Anne Burrell

Peterman, who stars with Reba McEntire on NBC’s “Happy’s Place” and is also part of Hallmark’s “Haul Out the Holly” movie franchise, shared the story of one of her “favorite nights ever” in her tribute to Burrell.

“I called her when I was taking my sister to NYC for her 50th, “she wrote. “I was hoping for a restaurant recommendation but of course she did more. She made a reservation, took us there and made sure my sister was treated like a star.”

“And then she took us to do karaoke to the wee hours. One of my favorite nights ever and she made it happen. My deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. I feel really lucky to have spent time with her. She was spectacular. ❤️”

Over 10,000 fans and friends had liked Peterman’s tribute within hours of her post, and many commented, including one who wrote, “Im sorry 😢 what a wonderful memory. I’m sure the fact that her friends are all remembering the good times with her would mean a lot. ❤️”

Celebrity Tributes Have Poured in For Anne Burrell Since Her Passing

Burrell was beloved within the world of celebrity chefs, many of whom have paid tribute to her in the days since her passing.

The day after her death, Burrell’s dear friend and “Worst Cooks” co-star Rachael Ray paid tribute by writing, “The news about Anne has truly shaken us. John and I are heartbroken. I can’t quite believe it — such a strong, vibrant, fearless woman, so full of life and love, could be gone so soon.”

On June 19, celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern delivered a five-minute speech devoted to Burrell at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado, per Parade.

Calling her a “trailblazer,” Zimmern told the crowd, “Anne was such a beautiful soul. A woman whose immense talent was only surpassed by the full throttle of her incredible laugh, one that I was never tired of hearing.”

Duff Goldman, a pastry chef who’s starred on “Pastry Cakes” and “Duff Goldman Takes the Cake,” admitted in his tribute that he and Burrell had a complex relationship but had mended fences during a chance meeting nearly two years earlier.

“Anne was as tough as they come, but when you got past the armor there was a depth of compassion and kindness that was absolutely beautiful,” he wrote.