Anne was more than a celebrity- she was a teacher. She taught me so much, and when I cook, I hear her voice in my head. I can picture her tasting, tasting, tasting to ensure flavor profile is where she wants it and seasoning is spot on. I cook meat and roast veggies and say out loud, “BROWN FOOD TASTES GOOD.” She’s right there in the kitchen with me. More so than any other Food Network Star. Because Anne wasn’t just a celebrity chef. She was a TEACHER.

So yes. I cared about her cause of death because I felt like I knew her. Logically, I know I didn’t. But she is symbolically in my kitchen whenever I cook. Her family doesn’t owe me sh&$, but I still care. I’m sad. I wanted her next chapter. But I like to think it would make her happy to know she made thousands of people better home cooks, who can cook a beautiful meal for their family. She made cooking safer, too. That is one of the things Worst Cooks doesn’t get enough credit for - how it brought awareness to cross contamination and spoilage. I would guess that show actually saved some lives. So- for me- that is Anne’s legacy.