Anne Burrell Food Network Inner Circle: Rachael Ray and More

Anne Burrell Made a close inner circle with much of her food network costar before her death at the age of 55.

Before appearing on television, Burrell formed friendship with a famous cook Mario Batali. Have work alongside it At the restaurant scene, Batali asked Burrell to be his sous chef American iron cook. The pair worked together on the cooking series before they left after six seasons.

After Batali introduced Burrell to the Food Network scene, he joined several other programs including Worst cooks in America. In appearance and running many programs, Burrell formed countless friendships over the years including links with Rachael Ray. Geoffrey Zakarian and more.

When news broke from Burrell’s death In June 2025, many members of her Food Network family Paid tribute to the late cook.

Keep scrolling to get to know the inner circle of Burrell:

Mario Batali

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In addition to his long -standing time with a food network, Batali had multiple restaurants. Before he and Burrell appeared on Iron Chef America together, Batali Burrell hired to be his place, Italian wine traders.

Batali and Burrell’s friendships stretched beyond the kitchen as the duo went to multiple events together including the New York Rangers games.

Rachael Ray

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Ray and Burrell worked together on worst chefs in America for four seasons and formed quick friendships. The women have attended multiple events together over the years. When Burrell tied the knot with her husband Stuart Claxton in 2021, Ray served as one of her maids.

“My beautiful maids !!” Burrell’s header and Instagram photo of her wedding party. “I feel so grateful to have such an incredible group of clever, strong, funny and amazing people around me. I’m truly a lucky girl !!!”

Burrell also made an appearance on the “I’ll Sleep Who to my Dead” podcast.

Geoffrey Zakarian

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Over the years Zakarian and Burrell collaborated on many projects including Sirius XM’s “Food Chat” and Food Network The kitchen. The Deos have attended the city’s harvest gala on several occasions.

Jeff Mauro

Gettyimages 1054841036 Inner Circle Anne Burrells Food Network. — Geoffrey Zakarian, Anne Burrell and Jeff Mauro Amy Sussman/Getty Images Entertainment Video for Food Network

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

As well as working together, Mauro and Burrell attended multiple events together over the years.

Aaron Sanchez

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Sánchez and Burrell ran in the same inner ring of food network over the years. Previously, Burrell was flowing for Sánchez on social media.

“I love this guy,” he wrote Via Facebook In 2015 alongside a picture of the pair embracing and the hashtag added “Family Food Network.”

Kardea Brown-Smith

Although Brown-Smith and Burrell did not have the opportunity to work together on screen, the pair formed a close bond as a food network joint. Following the death of Burrell, the Miss Brown delicious A host shared a moving tribute.

“In complete disbelief right now 😢 they say that things you do to yourself will have disappeared when you are gone … but things you do to others will remain as your legacy forever,” he wrote alongside a selfie of her and Burrell. “@Chefanneburrell you left us with so much … .. Thank you for your contributions to the cooking world and the lives you touched on your infectious personality. Forever in our hearts.”