Chef Anthony Bourdain is a larger-than-life public figure. His passion for culinary arts took him to over 100 countries and three different networks. Bourdain will forever be known as a gifted storyteller and phenomenal chef.
No matter where life took him, he inspired everyone to enjoy life, journey through different cultures through food, and bring people together. Bourdain is an inspiration to chefs and all people he encountered or watched his shows.
Bourdain’s life is relatable to many people, especially me. I, too, studied to be a chef and battled with addiction as Bourdain did many years ago. His life has inspired me to keep the faith and never give up. Rich things came from his life, and his journey on this earth will forever be remembered as positive and courageous.
Early life
Born on June 25th, 1956, in New York City, Bourdain spent most of his childhood in Leonia, New Jersey. His love for food started in early childhood. In past interviews, he recalled where he had his first oyster while on a fisherman’s boat during a trip to France with his family.
Admitting to battling drug addiction in his youth, he conquered his demons and proved to the world what a great chef and entrepreneur he is. He began to run kitchens all across New York. In 1978, Bourdain graduated from The Culinary Institute of America and spent many years as the executive chef at Brasserie Les Halles.
Career
In 2000, his best-selling book Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly put Bourdain on the map. Two years later, 35 episodes of his food and world-travel television show, A Cook’s Tour, aired on the Food Network.
Bourdain had written 13 books in his lifetime, and each book became more thought-provoking and passionate than the next. He not only wrote culinary-inspired books but fiction. In 2012, he released a graphic novel called Get Jiro!
From 2005-2012, Bourdain hosted the culinary adventure program called Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations and The Layover (2011-2013). Bourdain would continue to take the culinary world by storm, write best-selling books, and teach us to explore exotic foods through his creative writing and storytelling throughout his career.
His death
On June 8th, 2018, Anthony Bourdain was found dead in his hotel room in France while working on his TV show Parts Unknown. His close friend and confidant Éric Ripert would be the one to find him, and the police ruled his death a suicide.
Bourdain’s death shook the industry, celebrities, and his friends and family. While he had a history of drug abuse from his youth, doctors ruled that it had nothing to do with his death as the toxicology report came back as negative for substances. Even his mom told the New York Times that he was the last person she would have expected to take his life. She continued with how Bourdain had almost every award in the culinary industry – the chef had it all.
While we might never know why Bourdain took his life, it is evident that he suffered from depression and battled his demons behind closed doors. It is a reminder of life’s fragility.
Bourdain’s influence
Bourdain’s influence reaches around the world for his culinary ability and outgoing personality. The Smithsonian called him “the original rockstar” in the culinary industry and “the Elvis of bad boy chefs.” Niel deGrasse Tyson said, “a friend of Food & Culture. A friend to us all,” of the famous chef.
The support from celebrities has been phenomenal, and it paints a clear picture of Bourdain’s legacy in culinary arts. CNN said that Bourdain’s “talents never ceased to amaze us, and we will miss him very much.” Parts Unknown won four Emmy’s from 2013-2015. With fame, fortune, and admiration from his peers, his passing was met with profound sadness.
Final Thoughts
From world leaders to unknown people from far away cultures, his knowledge of cuisine and conversation brought millions of people together around food and drink. Bourdain’s remarkable talent inspired young chefs from all walks of life and had everyone believing that the sky’s the limit.
“Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it’s a start.”
Anthony Bourdain
So light up the grill in the back yard and invite your close friends and family over. Appreciate every moment and remember how precious life can be.
Anthony Bourdain inspires me to live my life full of adventure and to enjoy the little things. I hope that you do the same.
If you or someone you know may be contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.