Best known for co-hosting the competition series Worst Cooks in America on The Food Network, celebrity chef Anne W. Burrell will be in East Hampton on July 18th to host some of America’s best at Dan Chefs of the Hamptons.
Before leaping into the limelight with television appearances on The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Iron Chef, and a competition on the Chopped All-Stars as well as hosting Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, Burrell’s culinary career took numerous twists and turns. Now, Chef Burrell has opened up about her favorite restaurants in the Hamptons, her culinary influences, and her plans while she’s in town.
First things first, two spots in Montauk have captured Burrell’s attention. The chef says, “I love, love, love Bostwick’s and Duryea’s in Montauk—heaven!” But digging a little deeper, Burrell spoke about what inspired her to become a chef in the first place.
“I have to say, my mother. She was a really great cook growing up. I also loved the providing aspect of cooking. Cooking, for me, is all about hospitality mixed with being creative!” She continued enthusiastically, “I also like that I don’t have to go to work in an office. The camaraderie that happens between chefs and sort of the kooky lifestyle, plus—I love food, and I love to eat, and I love to be the Hostess!” Throughout her life, Burrell adds, her biggest influences and mentors have likely been her mother, as well as “Julia Child and Lidia Bastianich.”
With passion and motivation, Burrell spoke about the most pivotal moment that defined her career path through the culinary world. “The day that I faxed my resume to answer an ad in the New York Times, I didn’t know where I was faxing my resume to, and it ended up going to a celebrity chef who became an Iron Chef. And that’s how I got on The Food Network. One of those crazy things, like, who knew that answering an ad in the New York Times would be such a pivotal moment in my life.”
Looking at her role as host of Worst Cooks in America, the chef was asked if the people on the show are actually as bad at cooking as they seem. Burrell answered by exclaiming, “Oh my God, yes! What these people do to food could not ever be imagined by people who know food. We don’t have to fake any of that in every season. I am still shocked, after many years, about what happens in boot camp.”
Now that we are just about fully into summer, it was only natural to ask about favorite summer ingredients, to which Burrell said, “Tomatoes, all the stone fruits, zucchini, watermelon, cantaloupe, all the amazing fresh herbs you can get at farmers markets.” She added, “It’s almost too easy to cook in the summer because there’s such an abundance of deliciousness.”
And as far as the event on Thursday, July 18—Chef of the Hamptons in East Hampton—Burrell is enjoying her time in town so far. “I love Main Beach, the most beautiful water and gorgeous evenings! Summer in the Hamptons is such a fun and special time. I really appreciate all the places to go and all the people to meet. It’s such a joyous time of year!”
Food, drinks, and entertainment are included in your ticket. Further information is available at DansTaste.com.
