Bobby Flay Shares the 1 Gift From Anne Burrell He’ll ‘Have Forever’

“Worst Cooks in America was the funniest show on TV. All of your co-hosts (me included) were just alongside for the Anne Burrell ride,” Flay posted in an Instagram story in honor of the late chef.

Burrell, 55, was found “unconscious and unresponsive” in her home on June 17 and, according to a statement provided to NBC News from the NYPD, was pronounced dead by emergency personnel at the scene.

Though the cause is still pending an autopsy, a report shared by the FDNY suggests Burrell may have suffered from cardiac arrest.

Her death has come as a complete shock to many fans, as well as fellow chefs, many of whom have paid tribute to the spunky television personality, including Rachael Ray, who penned an emotional post to her dear friend.

Chef Bobby Flay pays tribute to Anne Burrell and shares the "gift" that he'll have forever. (@bobbyflay via Instagram)

“I can’t quite believe it — such a strong, vibrant, fearless woman, so full of life and love, could be gone so soon,” Ray remarked in the poignant post. “I’ll miss her friendship deeply. Everyone whose life she touched will miss her.”

In Flay’s tribute to Burrell, he posted a photo of her holding her two cats, a pair of calico Maine Coons, writing, “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.”

Nacho, Flay’s beloved orange cat, died in October of 2023, at the age of nine, leaving the chef with a “broken heart.”

“I usually don’t post private family business but I truly believe he was everyone’s cat in some way,” Flay posted on Instagram at the time.

“Nacho had a magic about him that was truly special. He came into my life when I needed him most and brought joyful moment after joyful moment to my household.”

Known for her love of the giant cats, Burrell was cat mom to two Maine Coons herself: Marcia and Nancy. Much like Flay, Burrell lost one of her beloved pets when Marcia died unexpectedly in October of 2024.

“Marcia brought so much joy and happiness to our lives — she was a very special kitty. We will miss you Marcia and I will love you forever,” Burrell wrote.

Not long after, the couple adopted Lorraine, a five-month-old Maine Coon that Burrell called a “little nutter,” saying the new cat inspired a “bit of hissing” with Nancy, but all in all, was “settling in nicely.”

Late Food Network chef, Anne Burrell, in 2019. (Daniel Zuchnik / Getty Images)

Flay and Burrell co-hosted the Food Network’s “Worst Cooks in America” for four seasons and appeared together in “Beat Bobby Flay.”

In addition to hosting “Worst Cooks,” Burrell appeared on many Food Network shows, including “Chopped,” “Iron Chef America” and “House of Knives,” and authored two cookbooks, “Cook Like a Rock Star” and “Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower.”

In a statement shared with TODAY.com, representatives for Burrell said, “With her trademark spiky blonde hair and sparkling personality,” she was “an industry veteran and passionate teacher who prided herself on her work in the culinary world.”