Introduction
Welcome back! We are live and celebrating Love Languages all hour long, and today’s theme is acts of service—because what says “I love you” better than making someone’s favorite meal… or breaking down the Amazon boxes clogging the hallway?
Joining us is someone who knows a thing or two about acts of service—in the most delicious way. Chef Anne Burrell, Food Network favorite and the guiding light of Worst Cooks in America, is here to walk us through one of her favorite romantic recipes. Known for her signature blonde spikes, easy-to-follow meals, and for rescuing culinary disasters with humor and heart, Anne has been helping home cooks—and their relationships—survive the kitchen for years.
And speaking of love, her husband of two years, Stuart Claxton, is also in the studio and ready to cheer her on. Their journey together began in 2018 when they matched on a dating app—both spending an uneventful Saturday night browsing. “He was English, charming, and had a wonderful 13-year-old son,” Anne recalls. “I thought: ding ding ding!”
Fast-forward to today, and the couple is still sharing laughs, love, and plates of chicken piccata—a dish that Stuart attempted to make for their first romantic dinner. “I followed everything step by step,” he chuckled, “but it still didn’t turn out quite like Anne’s version.” Anne smiled and nodded: “But it’s the effort that counts—and it was delicious in spirit.”
As Anne walked us through the recipe, her passion for cooking as a form of love was clear. The dish begins with butterflied chicken breasts—flattened gently under plastic wrap—and dredged in flour. “It’s simple enough for the kids to help out,” she noted. “You brown it on both sides, add some garlic, capers, lemon segments, and finish with a white wine butter sauce. Quick, easy, and a little fancy.”
To complement the chicken, she prepared asparagus, tossed lightly with oil and roasted until crisp. “You both eat garlic, and no one complains,” she joked. “That’s a rule for Valentine’s Day!”
But the day wasn’t just about food. Anne has long been committed to giving back through her work with City Harvest, where she’s served on the Culinary Council for over a decade. “City Harvest rescues food that would otherwise go to waste and delivers it to those in need,” she explained. “It’s not just a holiday effort—they are out there every day, helping New Yorkers feed their families.”
Anne’s warmth, generosity, and humor shine in and out of the kitchen. “Cooking is my love language,” she says. “It’s how I show people I care. Feeding someone—it’s intimate, thoughtful, and from the heart.”
And in true Valentine’s fashion, the audience didn’t leave empty-handed. Everyone received a bright red baking mat and mini utensil set courtesy of GEAR, the company known for durable, colorful kitchen accessories. Perfect for recreating Anne’s famous chicken piccata—or trying your own act of service.
As Anne put the finishing touches on the dish, laughter filled the studio. Stuart stood by, smiling proudly. “He still yells ‘Yes, Chef!’ at home,” she laughed. “That’s real love.”
Happy Valentine’s Day, from our kitchen to yours.