The food world has faced several heartbreaking losses in 2025, saying goodbye to chefs and culinary personalities who changed the way people cook, eat, and connect over meals. Their impact reached well beyond restaurants and television, shaping food culture, storytelling, and home kitchens for generations. Here are celebrity deaths that left a void.
1. Anne Burrell
Celebrity chef Anne Burrell passed away on June 17, 2025, at her home in Brooklyn, New York. She was 55. Best known for hosting “Worst Cooks in America,” Burrell was celebrated for her bold personality, infectious enthusiasm, and approachable cooking style that focused on flavor, joy, and confidence in the kitchen rather than fuss or formality.
Her family remembered her as a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend, saying her “smile lit up every room she entered” and that her warmth and spirit touched millions worldwide.
Food Network also paid tribute, calling Burrell a remarkable culinary talent who taught, competed, and consistently shared “the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring.”
2. Nathalie Dupree
The culinary world also mourned the loss of Nathalie Dupree, a pioneering Southern chef, cookbook author, and television host who helped shape American home cooking for decades.
Dupree, who died in January 2025 at age 85, was widely known for bringing classic Southern cuisine to public television audiences through shows such as “New Southern Cooking” and for her influential cookbooks that emphasized technique, tradition, and confidence in the kitchen.
Often referred to as the “Queen of Southern Cooking,” Dupree was a mentor to generations of chefs and food writers, leaving behind a legacy rooted in warmth, education, and a deep respect for regional food culture.
3. André Soltner
André Soltner, the French-American culinary icon who led New York City’s famed Lutèce for decades, died January 18, 2025, at 92. Widely considered one of America’s first superstar chefs, Soltner played a pivotal role in elevating French cuisine in the United States and left a lasting influence on generations of chefs and restaurateurs.
4. Peter Russell-Clarke
Peter Russell-Clarke, a trailblazing Australian television chef and cookbook author who helped bring food into everyday homes, died July 4, 2025, at 89. Beloved for his warmth, wit, and memorable catchphrases, Russell-Clarke became a national fixture through his long-running show “Come and Get It,” leaving a lasting imprint on Australia’s food culture across generations.
5. Helen L. Coleman
Helen L. Coleman, affectionately known as “Ms. Helen,” the Seattle-based soul-food chef and restaurateur behind local favorites including Helen’s Diner, died on November 29, 2025, at 90. Beloved for her warmth and home-style cooking, Coleman built a community around comfort food that welcomed diners from every walk of life.
6. Skye Gyngell
Skye Gyngell, the acclaimed chef and restaurateur, has died at 62, just days after the loss of her mother, marking a devastating double blow for her family. Her loved ones confirmed she passed away on November 22 in London, according to reporting by The Guardian.
In a statement shared with the Mirror, the family said, “We are deeply saddened to share news of Skye Gyngell’s passing on November 22 in London, surrounded by her family and loved ones. She leaves behind a remarkable legacy and is an inspiration to us all.”
