Anne Burrell's Food Network Inner Circle: Rachael Ray and More

Anne Burrell made a close-knit inner circle with many of her Food Network costar before her death at age 55.

Before appearing on TV, Burrell formed a friendship with renowned chef Mario Batali. After working alongside him in the restaurant scene, Batali asked Burrell to be his sous chef for Iron Chef America. The pair worked together on the cooking series before they exited after six seasons.

After Batali introduced Burrell to the Food Network scene, she joined multiple other programs including Worst Cooks in America. While appearing and hosting many programs, Burrell formed countless friendships over the years including connections to Rachael Ray, Geoffrey Zakarian and more.

When news broke of Burrell’s death in June 2025, many members of her Food Network family paid tribute to the late chef.

Keep scrolling to get to know Burrell’s inner circle:

Mario Batali

In addition to his longtime stint with Food Network, Batali had multiple restaurants. Before he and Burrell appeared on Iron Chef America together, Batali hired Burrell to be the chef for his spot, Italian Wine Merchants.

Batali and Burrell’s camaraderie extended beyond the kitchen as the duo attended multiple events together including New York Rangers games.

Rachael Ray

Ray and Burrell worked together on Worst Cooks in America for four seasons and formed a fast friendship. The women have attended multiple events together over the years. When Burrell tied the knot with husband Stuart Claxton in 2021, Ray served as one of her bridesmaids.

“My beautiful bridesmaids!!” Burrell captioned an Instagram photo of her wedding party. “I feel so grateful to have such an AMAZING group of smart, strong, funny and just AMAZING people around me. I am truly a lucky girl !!!”

Burrell also made an appearance on Ray’s “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead” podcast.

Geoffrey Zakarian

Over the years Zakarian and Burrell collaborated on many projects including Sirius XM’s “Food Talk” and Food Network’s The Kitchen. The twosome have attended the City Harvest Gala on multiple occasions.

Jeff Mauro

Mauro appeared alongside Burrell on Worst Cooks in America for seasons 24 and 26. The duo had a friendly and playful rivalry on the series. Mauro returned to the cooking competition series for season 28, which Burrell was not part of.

In addition to working together, Mauro and Burrell attended multiple events together over the years.

Aaron Sanchez

Sánchez and Burrell ran in the same Food Network inner circle over the years. Burrell previously gushed about Sánchez on social media.

“I love this guy,” she wrote via Facebook in 2015 alongside a photo of the pair hugging and added the hashtag “Food Network Family.”

Kardea Brown-Smith

While Brown-Smith and Burrell didn’t get a chance to work together on screen, the pair formed a close bond as fellow Food Network stars. Following Burrell’s death, the Delicious Miss Brown host shared a touching tribute.

“In utter disbelief right now 😢 They say things you do for yourself will be gone when you’re gone….but things you do for others will remain as your legacy forever,” she wrote alongside a selfie of her and Burrell. “@chefanneburrell you left us with so much…..thank you for your contributions to the culinary world and the lives you touched with your infectious personality. Forever in our hearts💔.”