Anthony Bourdain

Anthony Bourdain was a celebrated chef, author, and television personality who left a significant mark on culinary and cultural landscapes around the world. His adventurous spirit and authentic storytelling brought global cuisines and cultures to a wide audience, earning him a dedicated following and an enduring legacy.

ABOUT

Anthony Michael Bourdain was born on June 25, 1956, in New York City and grew up in Leonia, New Jersey. Known for his deep love of food and passion for travel, Bourdain was a unique voice in the culinary world, blending his chef's insight with a nomadic spirit. He gained widespread fame as the host of popular travel and food shows like "No Reservations" and "Parts Unknown," programs that highlighted his insatiable curiosity and his commitment to understanding global culinary traditions.

BEFORE FAME

Bourdain's journey into the culinary world began at Vassar College, which he left early to pursue a career in cooking. He then attended the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), graduating in 1978. His early career featured stints at several New York restaurants, including the famed Brasserie Les Halles, where he worked his way up to become the executive chef.

Despite his growing reputation in the culinary world, Bourdain’s breakthrough came not through food but through his writing. His 1999 article in The New Yorker, “Don’t Eat Before Reading This,” offered a no-holds-barred look behind the kitchen doors, leading to his best-selling memoir, "Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly," published in 2000. This memoir catapulted him to international fame and paved the way for his transition to television.

TRIVIA

• Literary Background: Before achieving fame as a chef and television host, Bourdain aspired to be a novelist and wrote two crime novels, “Bone in the Throat” (1995) and “Gone Bamboo” (1997).
• Awards: Bourdain's television programs won several awards, including an Emmy Award for "Parts Unknown."
• Martial Arts: He was an advocate for martial arts and held a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
• Cultural Ambassador: Apart from food, his shows often delved into geopolitics, societal issues, and human connections, revealing his broader interests beyond the culinary world.

FAMILY LIFE

Anthony Bourdain married his high school girlfriend, Nancy Putkoski, in 1985. The couple divorced in 2005. He later married Ottavia Busia-Bourdain in 2007, with whom he had a daughter, Ariane, born in 2007. Bourdain and Ottavia separated amicably in 2016, remaining friends and co-parents to their daughter.

ASSOCIATED WITH

Over the years, Bourdain collaborated with numerous notable figures in the culinary world and beyond. He had deep friendships and collaborations with chefs like Eric Ripert, who co-hosted several episodes of Bourdain's shows. He also featured prominent individuals such as Barack Obama in his programs, significantly during Obama's visit to a Hanoi restaurant on an episode of "Parts Unknown."

Anthony Bourdain’s tragic passing on June 8, 2018, was met with an outpouring of grief from fans and colleagues around the world, cementing his impact on both the culinary and global cultural communities. His legacy lives on through his writings, television shows, and the many lives he touched with his explorations and stories.