Anne Burrell spent time serving the elderly just days before her death.
The Food Network star, who died on Tuesday, June 17, at age 55, worked with CareRite Centers in Florida to create meals on June 4 and 5, according to a press release earlier this week.
Burrell’s visits were part of an initiative to “elevate the standard of dining in healthcare” with meals that the celebrity chef deemed “good for the soul,” the release added.
The dishes included hearty breakfast items such as omelettes and waffles, Cuban-inspired cuisine and other flavorful fare.
“The site visits from Chef Anne alongside the CareRite Experience team were nothing short of spectacular,” the release said, noting that the Worst Cooks in America star met with residents, patients, families and staff at locations in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton.
In-house chefs at the centers were given training to learn to make some of Burrell’s signature recipes.
“The smiles said it all,” a CareRite representative said in a statement. “We’re not just serving food, we’re creating meaningful moments through flavor and connection. This is more than a menu change. It’s a culture shift.”
PEOPLE reached out to CareRite Centers for a statement on Burrell’s death and did not immediately receive a response.
Representatives for Burrell confirmed her death to PEOPLE late Tuesday afternoon.
“We are deeply saddened to share the news that beloved chef, Anne Burrell, passed away this morning,” said Food Network in a social media post. “Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent – teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring. Our thoughts are with Anne’s family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss.”
Burrell is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, whom she wed on Oct. 16, 2021, and his son, Javier, her children Isabella, Amelia and Nicolas, her mother, Marlene, and sister, Jane, and her brother, Ben.
“Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered,” the family said in a statement. “Anne’s light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.”
