Introduction
Duff Goldman Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Anne Burrell After Her Sudden Passing at 55
The culinary world is mourning the loss of chef and Food Network star Anne Burrell, who passed away unexpectedly on June 17th at the age of 55. Among the many voices paying tribute to her vibrant spirit and enduring legacy, celebrity pastry chef Duff Goldman shared a particularly moving message that captured the depth of their friendship and the lasting impact she had on his life.
In a candid Instagram post, Goldman reflected on their long and sometimes complicated bond, which began around 2006. “She was going through a tough time,” he recalled, “and during a trip from Baltimore to New York, I brought her a cake that read, ‘Don’t let the bastards win.’ She never did.”
Their friendship was fiery, filled with passion and humor—even in disagreement. Goldman recounted their last deep conversation years ago, a lively debate about catfish that ended with playful jabs like “trash fish,” “tastes like mud,” and “cake boy.” “That was just Anne and me,” he wrote, “fiery and real.”
Years passed without contact, but a surprise encounter at a gala in New York offered a moment of reconnection. Goldman described seeing Anne while playing with his daughter around marble columns: “She seemed genuinely happy. That smile she gave my daughter and me—that’s the memory I’ll hold on to.”
He ended his tribute with a poetic farewell, imagining a reunion in the afterlife: “When I get there, we’ll grab a couple rods, a six-pack, and some chicken livers, and I’ll show you how to catch the best catfish of your life.”
Anne Burrell is survived by her husband Steuart Claxton, his son Javier, her mother Marlene, sister Jane, brother Ben, and children Isabella, Amelia, and Nicholas. Her legacy in the culinary world, and in the hearts of those who knew her, remains unforgettable.