I first got exposed to Anthony Bourdain when I was channel surfing and came across a show called “A Cook’s Tour”. I was wondering who that cool-looking ear-ringed aloof show host was. I looked up the show online and came across the name; Anthony Bourdain. I didn’t watch many episodes of “A Cook’s Tour” because back then, I guess I wasn’t dedicated to tuning in when the episodes aired and I wasn’t knowledgeable about where to find and how to download my favorite TV episodes online to watch when I had time.
I did end up reading about his book “Kitchen Confidential”. I borrowed the book from the library and finished it within a week. It was so eye-opening and exciting to read about what goes on in professional kitchens in New York City. One tidbit I remember was that Tony’s book made me aware that there are good and bad days to go to a fish restaurant to eat.
I then heard he was doing a series called “No Reservations”. That started my lifelong love for his shows. I have seen almost all the series episodes. It inspired and shaped my perspective on how I travel. It gave me a different lens in how I should be looking at the world. When he started his “Parts Unknown” series and incorporated more serious journalism to his food-centric shows, I thought to myself that this was the perfect show to educate all of us about the world. Anyone watching “Parts Unknown” could really learn so much about the world and even achieve paradigm-shifts of entire cultures after each episode.
Although I don’t have Anthony Bourdain’s voice, writing ability, or access to create amazing travel journalism episodes, I share his observations of humanity.
“That the world is, in fact, filled with mostly good and decent people who are simply doing the best they can. Everybody, it turns out, is proud of their food (when they have it). They enjoy sharing it with others (if they can). They love their children. They like a good joke.”
RIP Anthony Bourdain (June 8, 2018)