Anthony Bourdain: A Culinary Icon
Anthony Bourdain ate his way around the world. He left his kitchen only to become an award-winning television host and bestselling author.
In 1997, he rose to fame with his article in The New Yorker called “Don’t Eat Before Reading This,” which revealed the controversial secret practices at premier restaurants. Two years later, he expanded the article into a book called “Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly,”— an in-depth analysis of the inner workings of prime restaurants. Soon after its release, the book became a best-seller.
In 2002, Anthony worked on his first TV series called “A Cook’s Tour,” where he traveled the world searching for food. It aired on the Food Network and lasted 35 episodes. Simultaneously, he released another book called “A Cook’s Tour: Global Adventures in Extreme Cuisines,” which elaborated on his experiences and travel exploits while filming the TV series.
Keeping up with the massive success of the books and the TV show, he wrote “Anthony Bourdain’s Les Halles Cookbook: Strategies, Recipes, and Techniques of Classic Bistro Cooking” in 2004 and “The Nasty Bits” in 2006. Both of the books became New York Times bestsellers.
In between publishing books— in 2005— Anthony started filming “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations,” which made him a global icon. It premiered in 2005 on the Travel Channel, lasted for nine seasons, and won two Primetime Emmy Awards. In 2007, he authored a book called “No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach” to highlight his experiences on the show from a culinary worldview.
After concluding the show in 2012, due to personal differences with the network, Anthony went on to host “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” aired by CNN. It focused on discovering the lesser-known cuisines. The show was a huge success and followed similar themes of travel and food like his previous ventures.
While filming Season 12 of the show, Anthony Bourdain, at age 61, was found dead in his hotel room from an apparent suicide. CNN announced the release of a final season to conclude the series using guest narrations and interviews. In 2018, Anthony won six posthumous awards at the Creative Arts Emmys for his commendable work on the show.
A long-time collaborator of Anthony, Laurie Woolever, would edit the new biography of the chef called “Bourdain: The Oral Biography.” Ecco published the book in the fall of 2019. It would feature stories and journey of the celebrity chef as remembered by his friends and family. The book aims to honor and tribute the robust impact of Anthony Bourdain in the field of culinary arts.
