I started in the restaurant business at the age of 19 as a waitress. I loved the atmosphere and the camaraderie of the restaurant business. I loved not having to go to an office. I loved making people happy.

Burrell's Food Network show Secrets Of a Restaurant Chef debuted June 29 2008. Season 2 started on January 31 2013. The Batali connection would further propel her career.

She was a contestant on the fourth season of The Food Network competition show The Next Iron Chef Super Chefs being eliminated in episode 6. Burrell (born September 21 1969) is an American chef TV personality and was an instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City until 2007.