Street Food and Fine Dining. Home and Abroad. Personally Tasted.
Anthony Bourdain (IMDB) was an exceptional personality in the culinary world who inspired millions of people around the globe with his authentic approach, honesty, and unique storytelling style. Anthony Bourdain is my favorite personality from the world of gastronomy (yes, Gordon Ramsay is BEHIND him 😇).
Anthony Bourdain
He was born on June 25, 1956, in New York and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America. He began his career as a chef in various New York restaurants, but he gained the greatest fame and recognition for his writing and television work.
In 2000, Bourdain published the book “Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly”, in which he revealed the behind-the-scenes of the restaurant industry and openly talked about his experiences with drugs and alcohol. The book became a bestseller and brought Bourdain into the limelight of the culinary scene. Other books followed, such as “A Cook’s Tour” or “Medium Raw”, in which Bourdain further developed his unconventional and honest writing style about food, travel, and life.
As a big fan of Anthony Bourdain, whenever possible, I follow in his footsteps and visit the places he made famous in his shows and books.
I am grateful that our paths theoretically crossed in these places through the show Parts Unknown (as of January 24, 2025):
Morocco’s Tangier had the strongest impact on me in this way, where Anthony Bourdain lived for some time and went through a difficult period.
It’s interesting to observe how Anthony’s visits influenced the establishments. In many places, small “memorials” emerged that commemorate him, such as in Gazela bistro in Porto (you can have a cachorrinho and Portuguese beer there, just like Anthony Bourdain).
Bourdain’s television career began in 2002 with the show “A Cook’s Tour” on Food Network. He later became famous with the shows “No Reservations“and “Parts Unknown“on Travel Channel and CNN, where he traveled the world, discovered local cuisines and cultures, and met interesting people. Bourdain’s approach to travel and food was unique – he always tried to go beyond tourist attractions, strived to meet local people, and taste authentic foods, whether from street stalls or luxury restaurants. The shows were often accompanied by political information about the given country.
Bourdain was known for his unorthodox and often controversial style. He wasn’t afraid to express his opinion on various topics from politics to veganism, and often got into conflicts with other culinary world personalities. At the same time, he was respected for his honesty, authenticity, and ability to look at the world from different perspectives.
Anthony Bourdain was known for openly talking about his experiences with drug and alcohol addiction, especially at a younger age. In his books and interviews, he often mentioned how these experiences influenced his life and career. Later, he managed to overcome addictions, but as he admitted, he never felt like a complete abstainer.
In addition to his writing and television work, Bourdain was involved in other projects. He was the executive producer of several documentary films, collaborated on the comic book series “Get Jiro!”, and was co-owner of several restaurants. He also actively supported various charitable organizations, especially those focused on fighting hunger and supporting education in developing countries.
Unfortunately, on June 8, 2018, Anthony Bourdain was found dead in his hotel room in France, where he was filming an episode of “Parts Unknown”. His death was a shock to the whole world and sparked a wave of grief and memories among his fans, friends, and colleagues. He died by suicide at the age of 61.
Anthony Bourdain’s legacy lives on through his books, shows, and the inspiration he gave to millions of people. He showed people that food is not just nourishment for the body, but also a means to explore the world, bring people together, and overcome cultural barriers.
