When more than 200 friends, relatives, and Food Network stars gathered at Manhattan’s Frankie Campbell Funeral Chapel on June 20th, they came prepared to honor Chef Anne Burrell exactly as she lived—boldly and with a burst of music.

The beloved Worst Cooks in America host, who died suddenly on June 17th at age 55, always believed a party wasn’t complete without a singalong.

Her husband, Stuart Claxton, made sure that tradition carried on at her memorial, creating a celebration that reflected Anne’s vibrant spirit and love for life.

Upon arrival, guests were handed bright red Sharpies—Anne’s signature tool for marking contestants’ hands when their knife grip went astray—as they queued to sign the memory book.

This small but meaningful gesture set the tone for the evening, a nostalgic nod to the many seasons of Worst Cooks in America where Anne’s fiery personality and tough love were tempered by warmth and humor.

The lobby pulsed with the energy of Queen’s high-energy classic Don’t Stop Me Now, a song Anne adored for its upbeat tempo and infectious joy, perfectly encapsulating the mood of the gathering.

Two mannequins stood sentinel near the chapel’s entrance, each a symbol of Anne’s passions and identity.

One wore a New York Rangers jersey, honoring her lifelong devotion to hockey and the team she cheered for with fierce loyalty.

The other was dressed in her iconic embroidered chef’s jacket, complete with a Sharpie clipped proudly to the sleeve—an emblem of her culinary authority and her hands-on approach to teaching.

These displays were not mere decorations but intimate tributes that allowed attendees to feel close to Anne’s essence.

Inside the chapel, every seat held printed lyrics to Billy Joel’s Only the Good Die Young.

Anne loved this song so much that she had quoted it beneath her high school yearbook photo: “I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints.”

This lyric perfectly captured the playful, rebellious spirit that defined her life and career.

The service itself was infused with this same energy—celebratory rather than mournful, a gathering of people who came not just to grieve but to remember the joy Anne brought into their lives.

Food Network favorites Scott Conant, Amanda Freitag, Mark Florio, and Jeffrey Zacharyan joined industry friends to share warm stories about Anne’s unstoppable energy and unmatched kindness.

Scott Feldman, Anne’s longtime manager, recalled the whirlwind pace of her projects and how she managed to keep everything moving forward with relentless enthusiasm.

He described her as a force of nature who could turn even the most stressful days into moments of laughter and creativity.

Her husband, Stuart Claxton, painted a tender portrait of Anne as a “professional pleasure provider,” someone who found joy in every aspect of her work and life.

He shared anecdotes about their life together, including their shared love for Tandra, a cocktail they often enjoyed during quiet evenings.

Claxton’s words revealed a man deeply moved by Anne’s passion for food, family, and fun—a woman who never let the mundane dull her sparkle.

The evening culminated in a memorable sendoff.

Claxton invited everyone to rise, turn toward the aisle, and belt out Only the Good Die Young together.

What began as a simple tribute quickly transformed the somber hall into a spontaneous karaoke bar.

Laughter mingled with tears as voices echoed the tune Anne had adored, creating a rousing finale that she would have undoubtedly demanded herself.

This moment encapsulated the essence of Anne Burrell: bold, joyful, and unapologetically alive until the very end.

From the red Sharpies to the Billy Joel karaoke, Anne’s memorial was a perfect reflection of a chef who seized every day, filled every room with joy, and reminded her culinary family to do the same.

Her legacy is not just in the recipes she taught or the shows she hosted but in the laughter, love, and life lessons she shared with everyone lucky enough to know her.

Anne Burrell’s impact on the culinary world was profound.

She was not only a gifted chef but also a mentor who inspired countless home cooks and professionals alike to push their boundaries and embrace their passions.

Her approach to cooking was as much about joy and discovery as it was about technique and precision.

She challenged her contestants on Worst Cooks in America not just to improve their skills but to find confidence in the kitchen and in themselves.

Her sudden passing left a void in the Food Network family and among fans who admired her fiery spirit and genuine heart.

Yet, the memorial service demonstrated that Anne’s influence continues to resonate.

The stories shared by colleagues and friends revealed a woman who was deeply loved, fiercely loyal, and endlessly generous with her time and energy.

The celebration of Anne’s life was a reminder of the power of community and the importance of honoring those who live fully and fearlessly.

It was a night filled with music, laughter, tears, and memories—a fitting tribute to a woman who made every moment count.

In the end, Anne Burrell’s memorial was more than a farewell.

It was a call to live with passion, to laugh loudly, and to cherish the people and moments that make life extraordinary.

Her legacy will live on in the kitchens she inspired, the hearts she touched, and the joyful noise she left behind.