ANNE BURRELL ENJOY THE RIDE

The co-host of Worst Cooks in America opens up about food, family and her life as a newlywed

- Katie Bruno

On Food Network's Worst Cooks in America, chef Anne Burrell has seen it all. There have been contestants who accidentally started fires, confused sugar for salt, drank the cooking wine and even tried to make grilled cheese using a blender. "People have learned a lot about cooking from Food Network," Anne tells Closer. "But thankfully, not everyone has learned everything. There are still plenty of worst cooks out there that need my help!"

This New York-reared culinary school graduate and restaurateur got her start on television in 2005 as a sous-chef on Iron Chef America. Anne eventually made a niche for herself as one of the channel's best cooking teachers. "Being able to cook and talk is a special skill," admits Anne, 52, who has been putting aspiring home cooks (and sometimes celebrities) through culinary boot camp on Worst Cooks since 2010. The current season will air its exciting finale on May 29.

How did you first become interested in cooking?

My mom was a really good cook, and I always loved to help out. We planted a big garden every summer. To be able to see things start from seeds and grow was great. My mom could say, "Go out and pick lettuce for dinner, or dig up potatoes." It was so fun. Cooking to me was always like an arts and crafts project with something to eat at the end.

Did you have any culinary heroes?

When I was 3, I went to my mom and said, “Mom, I have a friend named Julie. Julie Child!” I watched her every day on TV. She is still my idol. I sort of feel simpatico with Julia because we are both these big, kooky, loud ladies with a particular outlook on things, but with a definite joy in what we do.

When did you decide to be a chef?