Food Network Under Fire for Anne Burrell Tribute Plan
The Food Network has stirred controversy after announcing a one-night tribute on June 25, 2025, to celebrate the life and legacy of the late celebrity chef Anne Burrell. The special programming comes just over a week after Burrell was discovered unresponsive in her Brooklyn residence on June 17. The tribute will air at 10 p.m. ET and include a selection of her standout moments from her decades-long career on the network. But many fans believe this brief tribute falls short.
When the network shared the announcement on Instagram, the reaction was swift and emotional. Viewers took to the comments section to express frustration, criticizing the limited time slot as an inadequate gesture for someone who played such a major role in shaping the network’s identity. Many described the programming as dismissive and urged the channel to honor her with more expansive coverage, such as a weeklong marathon. “Give Chef Anne the love she earned,” one commenter wrote, echoing a wave of similar sentiments.
Fans called the tribute “insulting,” insisting that Burrell’s impact on the culinary world deserves more than a late-night sendoff. The current plan includes an episode of Guy’s Grocery Games featuring Burrell, followed by two specials from Worst Cooks in America — shows she was best known for. However, many viewers were quick to push back on the decision to include Guy Fieri. “We don’t need Guy for this. Anne should be the only focus,” one fan wrote.
Tributes Pour In from Fans and Friends Remembering Anne Burrell
Burrell’s final Instagram post, dated June 13, 2025, has become a memorial space, with fans posting messages of heartbreak and love. The photo shows her alongside influencer Elizabeth Eaton Rosenthal, also known as Brooklyn’s “Green Lady.” In the days since her passing, Rosenthal has spoken out, revealing she was one of the last people to see Burrell before her death.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Rosenthal said Burrell was in good spirits during their meeting. “She told me she’d wanted to meet me for so long — and finally did. She was really happy,” Rosenthal recalled. Though she chose not to disclose the full content of their conversation, Rosenthal later returned to the post’s comments, writing a heartfelt message: “Come to my garden and visit with all your beauty and love. I’ll be waiting for you.”
In addition to fans, several of Burrell’s industry peers and close friends have begun publicly honoring her memory. At the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen on June 19, 2025, chef Andrew Zimmern paid an emotional tribute to his longtime friend. In a tearful speech, Zimmern called her a “pioneer at the Food Network” and a proud New Yorker with “a heart full of love.” His words captured the sorrow many in the culinary community feel, mourning not just a colleague, but a vibrant spirit who brought joy and flavor into millions of homes.