Anthony Bourdain, celebrity chef, found dead

[Old Gringo]

I've always enjoyed Tony's travelogue/foodie/cultural education programs.

I read his first book, Kitchen Confidential, and found it very entertaining and informative.

His on screen persona/presence made me feel like he was a guy I knew and would like to join on his adventures and I think lots of folks felt the same way and that was the secret to his success. Wherever he traveled, he was open to the local culture and food. The locals were always his friends. Kinda like a modern day Will Rogers, "I never met a man I didn't like."

Sunday nights just won't be the same without him.

Rest well, Tony.

[Gil3]

Originally Posted by Old Gringo

I've always enjoyed Tony's travelogue/foodie/cultural education programs.

I read his first book, Kitchen Confidential, and found it very entertaining and informative.

His on screen persona/presence made me feel like he was a guy I knew and would like to join on his adventures and I think lots of folks felt the same way and that was the secret to his success. Wherever he traveled, he was open to the local culture and food. The locals were always his friends. Kinda like a modern day Will Rogers, "I never met a man I didn't like."

Sunday nights just won't be the same without him.

Rest well, Tony.

Anthony could sit down and enjoy a meal at a rib joint in the 'hood or a 5 star restaurant with equity and all the involved players and actors were treated with respect. As a matter of fact, he seemed to be more at ease in the "hole in the wall" places more than anything. I think the fact that he struggled early on in his career, he could relate.

In fact, I don't think I ever saw him mistreat or disrespect anyone on any show I watched, ever, and it was amazing to see how respected and revered he was from a wide spectrum of people from across the globe . I'm sure in his years in this business, though he had to get crass and lay down the law in the kitchen or go head to toe with people. I've never been in the restaurant business, but I can only imagine how tense it can get in the kitchen with the pressure, egos, varying personalities, the heat from the appliances and such.

There was no pretension with this man and that's what I will miss about him. In fact, he is one of the few celebs I wanted to meet one day but for me and many, that will never come to pass. I really wanted to ask him how in the heck do you chow down like that, yet maintain such a relatively trim figure, lol.

To be honest, I never had a compelling interest in food shows until I started watching Anthony. Yes, I watched a few of Guy's and Gordon's programs, but the connection wasn't quite there. With Chef Bourdain, you felt you were along for the ride even of you were at home and he was at an exotic locale or local joint. I think is sole intent was to have the viewer partake in the adventure with him.

All we can do now is watch his re-runs and reflect on a life well lived, despite his valleys and low points in life. In fact, his brutal honesty about his past demons are what endeared him to so many people and me in particular.

As Muhammad Ali is and was my boxing hero, Chef Bourdain is my culinary one.

I will make sure to get that book for sure. In fact, i'm going to order it right now.

[Suburban_Guy]

Originally Posted by ocnjgirl

Per people he used to work with in restaurants back in the day, Tony did not like the pretentiousness that went along with being a star chef. One of the men said Bourdain never referred to himself as a chef and didn't like that word, he called himself a cook and didn't consider himself any more important than anyone else in the restaurant.


He apparently had a very public squabble with Guy Fieri, too.

Yes it was unfortunate.

I happen to like most chefs on TV.

[Chloe333]

So sad. Watching the CNN special about him now. My son graduated the day he committed suicide and I just cried on and off all day in disbelief. It was gutting to wake up to this news. I had a feeling something had happened and googled CNN the second I woke up and sure enough. I couldn't believe he was gone and that he took himself out like that. As a celebrity, I loved him from afar. I watched all of his shows and really loved this sweet genuine soul of a man. RIP sweet man.

[_jbub88_]

I liked his show. He appeared to be very personable...which always resonates with us average folks. RIP!

[stardust05]

He had no drugs or alcohol in his body according to the prosecutor. How incredibly sad, I was a big fan.

[lovemyfl]

Originally Posted by stardust05

He had no drugs or alcohol in his body according to the prosecutor. How incredibly sad, I was a big fan.

He had a trace of a non-narcotic in him. I wonder if that was an anti-depressant. Many people have committed suicide while on them, the warning info even comes with them! The pharm cos. make BIG money off these. I think that's why it was not mentioned what it was. Lots of lawsuits against the pharm cos. for suicide on these and killings!

[Suburban_Guy]

I think one rumor was that he had Parkinson's or some other illness. That, along with his past history of very depressing mood swings and current relationship issues (Asia was supposedly seen embracing a much younger guy; Bourdain had a very rough divorce from his first wife), and sadly suicide seemed to be his answer.