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Anne Burrell’s tragic passing at 55 has shaken the culinary world, and now, a close friend is opening up about the private struggles she faced behind the scenes.

Celebrity chef Duff Goldman, one of Burrell’s longtime Food Network colleagues, revealed that despite her upbeat public image, Anne had been quietly dealing with emotional challenges.

His remarks come as new details emerge about the beloved chef’s final days, adding depth to the heartbreak surrounding her untimely death.

Duff Goldman Pays Tribute To Anne Burrell

Goldman has shed light on the private pain Anne Burrell kept hidden before her tragic end.

On Thursday, June 19, the 50-year-old took to Instagram with a picture of himself and the late chef, alongside a lengthy and emotional caption.

“I’ve written and re-written this post so many times in the past 24 hours, and I just don’t know what to say,” he began.

Goldman revealed that Burrell was going through a tough time back then, and he baked her a cake to lift her spirits. The words inscribed on the cake read, “Don’t let the b*st*rds win.” He noted that she “never did.”

The Food Network star recalled their complex relationship and mentioned how their last conversation before drifting apart was a passionate debate about catfish.

“I believe the words’ trash fish,’ ‘tastes like mud,’ and ‘cake boy’ were used, haha,” he wrote.

Duff Goldman Recalls His Reconnection With Anne Burrell

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Goldman admitted he never understood why they lost touch but always hoped Burrell was happy.

The pastry chef recounted an unexpected moment a couple of years ago when he ran into her at a gala in New York City.

“I was at a gala in NYC with my wife and my daughter, and I took Josephine out to the lobby to give her a break from sitting at a table listening to speeches. We were playing with the marble columns, and as we rounded one, we saw Anne,” Goldman shared.

The TV personality revealed that he and Burrell chatted after years of not speaking. Though he didn’t share the specifics of their conversation, Goldman said it “left my heart lifted and full of light,” making it clear the “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef” star had found happiness and love.

Duff Goldman Says His Last Interaction With Burrell Eased The Pain Of Her Death

RCF / MEGA

Goldman continued, describing Anne Burrell as someone who was “tough as they come,” but beneath her armor, there was a “depth of compassion and kindness that was absolutely beautiful.”

He revealed that the “love and tranquility” the TV host seemingly found before her demise, alongside the genuine smile at him and his daughter at the lobby that day, brought him comfort and helped soften the pain of her loss.

Ending his tribute, Goldman wrote, “Anne, wherever you are I hope they have slow moving rivers because when I get there, we’ll get a couple of rods, a pint of chicken livers, and a sixer and I’ll teach you how to catch and cook the best catfish you ever had.”

He signed off tenderly, “Rest up, chef.”

Details Of Burrell’s Death

Instagram | Anne Burrell

Anne Burrell was found dead in her Brooklyn home on the morning of June 17, 2025. Her husband, Stuart Claxton, discovered her unresponsive in the shower and called 911 to report a cardiac arrest.

Emergency medical services arrived and pronounced her dead at the scene at approximately 7:50 a.m.

According to the NYPD, Burrell was found unconscious and unresponsive, and investigators reportedly discovered a large quantity of unidentified pills near her body.

The medical examiner has not yet released an official cause of death, and no foul play has been confirmed.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances, including the presence of the pills, as part of a routine inquiry in such cases.

Anne Burrell Was In Good Shape Before Her Demise

Burrell’s death shocked many, including her friend, Elizabeth Falkner, who revealed the chef was in decent shape.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Falkner stated, “I think Anne looks like she’s in pretty decent shape these days, so it’s kind of surprising to me. It’s just really so sudden and shocking.”

Falkner went on to recall the last time she saw Burrell, which was a week before her demise at an intimate dinner party she hosted.

“I said, ‘Come to my dinner at Soho House, it’ll be great to see you.’ And she brought her husband, and we just had such a good time,” she recalled. “It was just so sweet.”

Following the dinner, Falkner said she and Burrell had decided to stay in touch constantly.

“We were like, ‘Let’s just make a point of talking and texting more often,’” Falkner shared. “I’m very grateful to have had that special night. I feel like [our friendship] just got cut really short fast.”