Charles Sykes/NBC/getty Bobby Flay shares a touching post dedicated to Anne Burrell The pair became close during her time as a mentor onWorst Cooks in America The Food Network star died in her New York home on Tuesday, June 17 Bobby Flayis rememberingAnne Burrellafter her sudden death. On Wednesday, June 18, just one day after the 55-year-old celebrity chef was found "unconscious and unresponsive" in her New York home, the 60-year-old restauranteur paid his respects in a heartfelt tribute. "Worst Cooks in Americawas the funnest show on TV. All of your co-hosts (me included) were just alongside for the Anne Burrell ride," Flay wrote of his colleague in a post on his Instagram Stories. Bobby Flay/instagram He continued, "The greatest gift I got from AB was turning me on to a world of Maine Coon Cats (including Nacho)... a gift that I'll have forever." A single photo of Burrell and her cats accompanied his words. The picture showed the Food Network star andNew York Timesbestseller sitting with a huge smile on her face as she hugged two calico Maine Coon cats inside of a home. Flay recently shared his love for the felines on social media. "The recipe for Made by Nacho: Take one chef, add lifelong cat obsession, simmer for decades ✨ This is what cat-dad-since-forever looks like," he captioneda joint Instagram poston Sunday, June 15, tagging his account and his orange Maine Coon, Nacho. Charles Sykes/NBC/getty Like Burrell, Flay also had a Maine Coon, namedStella. TheCook Like a Rock Starauthor served as a mentor onWorst Cooks in Americafor its entire run, beginning in 2010. Flay was among the rotating celebrity chefs who competed with Burrell, appearing in four seasons. Many others shared tributes after learning of Burrell's death, includingRachael Ray, who was a bridesmaidin Burrell's October 2021 weddingto husbandStuart Claxton. "I can't quite believe it — such a strong, vibrant, fearless woman, so full of life and love, could be gone so soon," Ray, 56, captioned anInstagram post. Daniel Zuchnik/Getty The first image of her carousel showed the pair smiling as big as can be as Ray embraced Burrell on her wedding day. The close friends bonded during their time onWorst Cooks in America, with Ray giving a glimpse into their friendship throughout the years. "I'll miss her friendship deeply. Everyone whose life she touched will miss her. Sending love to Stuart and everyone who knew and loved Anne. We've lost someone truly special,"Roy wrotein her lengthy caption. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. According to a 911 call report provided to PEOPLE by the New York City Fire Department, a person called in at 7:50 a.m. on Tuesday, June 17, concerned that Burrell had sufferedcardiac arrest. Her official cause of death has not yet been confirmed by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner. Read the original article onPeople
