Over on Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America, chef Anne Burrell has seen some truly unforgettable moments in the kitchen. Contestants have set fires, mistaken sugar for salt, drank the cooking wine, and even tried to make grilled cheese in a blender. "People have definitely learned a lot about cooking from Food Network," Anne told Closer. "But thankfully, not everyone has learned everything. There are still plenty of worst cooks out there who need my help!"
Let me tell you about Anne Burrell. This New York-born culinary school graduate and restaurateur got her start on TV in 2005 as a sous-chef on Iron Chef America. Fast forward to today, and Anne has carved out a niche for herself as one of the network's best cooking teachers. "Being able to cook and talk at the same time is a special skill," says Anne, who's now 52. Since 2010, she's been guiding aspiring home cooks—and sometimes celebrities—through culinary boot camp on Worst Cooks. The current season wraps up with its exciting finale on May 29.
When Did Cooking Become a Passion for You?
For Anne, the love of cooking started at home. Her mom was an amazing cook, and Anne was always eager to lend a hand. Every summer, they'd plant a big garden together. Watching seeds turn into plants was magical for her. "My mom would say, 'Go out and pick lettuce for dinner or dig up potatoes,'" Anne recalls. "It was so much fun. To me, cooking was like an arts and crafts project, except you got to eat the final product!"
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Who Were Your Culinary Heroes Growing Up?
Even at the age of 3, Anne had her eye on a culinary icon. "I went to my mom and said, 'Mom, I have a friend named Julie. Julie Child!'" she laughs. "I watched her every day on TV. She's still my idol. I feel a kinship with Julia because we're both big, kooky, loud ladies with a passion for what we do. There's just so much joy in cooking."
When Did You Decide to Become a Chef?
Anne's journey to becoming a chef wasn't a straight line. She started waitressing in college to save up for a car. But after just a week, she realized she loved the restaurant business. The people were great, the camaraderie was unmatched, and she adored the hospitality aspect. After graduating, she took a job at a physician headhunter company, but it wasn't for her. "I was 23 years old, and I was too young to be that miserable," she says. That's when she decided culinary school was the next step. "If I weren't teaching people to cook on TV, I'd probably be a therapist," she jokes. "As a chef, I kind of am a therapist because food is tied to so many emotions—family, holidays, body image. It's all connected."
What Are Your Culinary Guilty Pleasures?
Let's talk about Anne's guilty pleasures. "Anything that comes from a potato—french fries, potato chips—I'm all in!" she exclaims. "And I'm a total fan of hot dogs!"
Do You Have Any Treasured Family Recipes?
One recipe that's stuck with Anne since childhood is her mom's Thanksgiving stuffing. "It's a sausage-mushroom stuffing with lots of sage and walnuts," she explains. "When we were little, my sister and I would set up a tiny black-and-white TV on the kitchen table and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade while we cut up toast squares for the stuffing. It was such a special memory. Whenever I make this stuffing, it brings back all those warm feelings."
Do You Ever Miss Cooking in a Restaurant Kitchen?
Sometimes Anne misses the energy of a restaurant kitchen. "I miss the atmosphere, the camaraderie," she admits. "But then again, on other days, I'm like, 'Nope! I'm happy just cooking in my own home kitchen.'"
What's It Like Cooking for Your Husband, Stuart Claxton?
Anne tied the knot with Stuart last year, and cooking for him has been a joy. "I cook almost every night," she says. "Stuart is easy to please because he loves everything. I can always tell when he really likes something because he'll take a bite and say, 'Mmmm,' and then he'll keep saying it with every bite. If he doesn't say that, I'm like, 'What's the problem?'"
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What Are Some of Stuart's Favorite Dishes?
Stuart has a soft spot for Filipino chicken adobo and anything with pasta. "He's crazy for pasta!" Anne adds. "Stuart is English, so on weekends, I make a big English breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, sautéed mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, and potatoes fried in bacon fat. It's a feast!"
What's the Best Thing About Finding Love Later in Life?
For the first 20 years in New York City, Anne was laser-focused on her career. "I wasn't as committed to having a personal relationship," she explains. "Finding Stuart at this point in my life has been incredible. I got to establish myself in my career, and now I have a partner. Plus, Stuart came into my life with his son, Javier, so it's like I got a 2-for-1 deal. That family dynamic has been amazing. I feel like I got the whole package: I focused on my career, and now I can pour my love and care into my marriage."
Who Are Your Closest Pals at Food Network?
Anne counts Mark Murphy, Jeff Mauro, Rachael Ray, and Alex Guarnaschelli as her closest pals at Food Network. "These are the people I see and talk to regularly," she says.
What’s One Tip to Make Anyone a Better Home Cook?
Anne’s advice is simple but effective: "Find a recipe for whatever you want to make. Read it before you start. Even if you don’t follow it completely, at least you have a roadmap of where you’re
