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Growing up in upstate New York, Chef Burrell's passion for food blossomed early. After earning a degree in English and Communications from Canisius College, she followed her culinary dreams to CIA.
Returning to New York City, Chef Burrell joined Felidia as a sous chef under Lidia Bastianich before becoming a chef at Savoy, where she developed a love for rustic Mediterranean-inspired dishes. She served as executive chef at Lumi and later at Centro Vinoteca, all while cultivating a culinary style focused on pure, simple ingredients with bold flavours.
As a beloved Food Network staple, Chef Burrell has appeared on Chef Wanted, Beat Bobby Flay, and Chopped, winning the Chopped All-Stars Tournament in 2015 and donating her US$75,000 prize to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. As a Celebrity Ambassador for the foundation, she advocates for juvenile diabetes awareness and continues to inspire others with her passion for cooking and community.
“I didn't care if I had to apply 30 times,” she says. “To me, there was no other option. I didn't even look at another school. It was a community of people where all they do is talk about food, and I was like, 'I am home.'
After graduating, she spent a year in Italy at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners, where she honed her skills at La Taverna del Lupo in Umbria and La Bottega del’30, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Tuscany. This experience deepened her appreciation for Italian culinary philosophy and culture.