The chef, who begins his sixth season hosting the Travel Channel’s “No Reservations” on January 11th, talks about the impact of Japanese cuisine on his own cooking, his favorite drink, and his near-death ATV accident.
Interviewed by Dacus Thompson
Illustrations by Joe McKendry
Photo Courtesy Travel Channel
What adventure most changed your life?
The first time I arrived in Japan and found myself in a city where I didn’t speak the language, had no idea what was going on around me. I could only compare it to dropping acid for the first time. Much more accomplished Western chefs than me came back from Tokyo wondering what to do next. How do you live with the burden of all this enlightenment?
What should every man know about women?
They are stronger than us. If you’ve ever hauled a 28-pound two-year-old around New York, you’ll find that men fold at the knees a lot quicker than women.
What’s the best way to impress a woman?
Pretend to know what you’re doing. One of life’s terrible truths is that women like guys who seem to know what they’re doing.
How do you make your favorite drink?
A Negroni. One-third good gin, one-third Campari, one-third sweet vermouth in a glass with some ice and a gossamer-thin slice of orange. Mario Batali taught me, simultaneously ruining my life and improving it, as he often does.
Who’s the toughest guy you know?
Marco Pierre White. He’s a British chef and a hero of mine. There are plenty of people in this world who can take a beating. Real toughness comes from people who stay true to themselves and don’t give a fuck what anyone else thinks.
What’s the best piece ofadvice you’ve ever received?
Show up on time. An employer of mine back in the ’80s was kind enough to take me on after a rough patch, and it made a big difference in my life that I knew I was the sort of person who showed up on time. It’s a basic tell of character.
What tool should every man own?
A good, and this is an important distinction, well-maintained — kept in a cool, dry place and regularly sharpened and honed — professional-quality chef knife, whether Japanese or German, speaks well of a man.
What skill should every man have?
To know how to make an omelet. It’s one of those dishes where your true nature reveals itself — how fastidious you are in the kitchen; how you move, graceful or ungraceful. It’s not a recipe; it’s technique.
What skill would you still like to master?
I wish I could play bass like Larry Graham or Bootsy Collins. My God, I’d give up just about everything else for that.
What’s the best cure for a hangover?
I have never found a better one, I regret to say, than Coca-Cola, a joint, and some really spicy food. I’m a big believer in spicy. It scares the evil out.
How should a man best face his fears?
“What the fuck” is a good mantra. The answer to overcoming fear is an uncomfortable truth that your life just isn’t that important.
How should a man handle getting old?
A little dignity goes a long way. There comes a time to take the earring off. There’s a time to stop dancing in public. I don’t know who said it, but at 40 or 50 every man gets the face he deserves. I’m not a believer in improving that.
What advice would you give the younger you?
I’ve made pretty much every terrible mis-take you could make. Cocaine, crack, heroin. But the sort of person I was, and would be again if I lived my life over, is the sort of person who at 17 would just not listen.
What one thing do you want to do before you die?
I want to be on The Simpsons. My voice is getting high and squeaky just thinking about it.
Have you ever cheated death?
(I) A few years ago in New Zealand I was riding an ATV and didn’t hear the guy in front of me say, “Don’t do this.”
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(II) I ended up rolling it over myself numerous times on a steep sand dune. I think everyone who was watching it pretty much expected me to die.
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(III) Then I was on a talk show where we watched the footage along with Ozzy Osbourne, who himself had been badly injured in an ATV accident. Afterward he was following me around backstage like a concerned grandfather, just shaking his head and saying, “You could have been killed!”
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This article originally appeared in the December 2009/January 2010 issue of Men’s Journal.
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January 16th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
rolled an atv down a hill of soft sand? and almost died? stop being such a pussy!
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dave g. Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 10:16 am
you must not have seen the footage! he totally bit it.
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January 19th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
A man how values Integrity could put a value in his life great Interview
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January 21st, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Revealing, yet oozes sexiness! This is what every woman wants to hear! A man who is not afraid to say what he truly thinks, yet, his thoughts are profound! For that comment regarding falling down the sand dune, I am surprised he´s still alive! That´s like hitting cement! Dude´s got 9 lives! We need more men like Tony! We should think of him for 007. Dunno if he could pull off the English accent with his NYC brogue! Go Tony! We love you!
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February 28th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Great show, however his writing is superb. Seems to have a rhythm and a cadence that can captivate a listener. I enjoy the cultural attachments to his always humorous dialogue.
By far the best food show on TV.
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March 2nd, 2010 at 1:59 pm
One comment I’d like to make to Anthony about traveling in Muslim countries: NEVER, NEVER, NEVER eat with your left hand! The left hand is considred the “unclean” hand because they use their left hand for toilet functions. To use one’s left hand for eating or touching food is a major taboo, and I saw Anthony eating pidgeon holding it with both hands while in Egypt. The man with him was holding the whole pidgeon with his right hand and his left hand stayed in his lap — it should not even be visible at the table. Shame on Anthony and his staff for not knowing or observing this custom after all this travel in the Middle East.
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dave g. Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 10:18 am
they covered this on the show. were you in the bathroom?
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FTW Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
janna: FAIL
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dave Reply:
March 16th, 2010 at 6:50 am
I take that as a yes.
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