Food & Drink

Celebrities, Chefs, and Friends Remember Anthony Bourdain

Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain Mark Seliger

Anthony Bourdain, the legendary chef and host of CNN’s Parts Unknown and the best-selling author of Kitchen Confidential, died today at the age of 61. Bourdain died by suicide while working on his show in Strasbourg, France.

“His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller,” said CNN in an official statement. “His talents never ceased to amaze us and we will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughter and family at this incredibly difficult time.”

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From physicist Neil deGrasse Tyson to journalist Christiane Amanpour and his fellow chefs Andrew Zimmern and Marcus Samuelsson, his famous friends, colleagues, and admirers alike paid tribute to Bourdain with memories and photos online. Scores of fans joined them, posting favorite quotes and testimonials about how Bourdain and his work inspired them.

“As NASA searches for life on Mars, we lose the life of beloved Anthony Bourdain on Earth,” wrote astrophysicist and host Neil deGrasse Tyson. “Implicit and explicit reminders of how precious life is, anywhere in the universe.”

Former President Barack Obama also shared a photo of himself with Bourdain, taken during an episode of Parts Unknown. “‘Low plastic stool, cheap but delicious noodles, cold Hanoi beer.’ This is how I’ll remember Tony,” President Obama wrote. “He taught us about food—but more importantly, about its ability to bring us together. To make us a little less afraid of the unknown. We’ll miss him.”

“I should’ve died in my twenties. I became successful in my forties. I became a dad in my fifties. I feel like I’ve stolen a car — a really nice car — and I keep looking in the rear view mirror for flashing lights. But there’s been nothing yet.” Anthony Bourdain. +++ I get this quote. Deeply. I don’t know the depths of his issues but I woke up early this morning to read a friend’s list of gratitude and this popped up and I thought to myself there is nothing we should be doing in this life, given the choice, that doesn’t lend to giving, community, a sense of spiritual awe, self sustaining survival for your community and colorizing a day (and maybe telling a really good fucking joke). I feel for him and his family so much. I feel life wildly today. #ripanthonybordain

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This has been a year of great loss. I have lost too many dear friends and colleagues to suicide, several in the past two months. I’m gutted. As an industry we can do better. We must do better. We must love harder, stronger, deeper. For each other. We all have our shitwalk, our battles, our burdens, no free rides. It’s time we stop allowing our loved ones to believe suicide is their only answer. If you or someone you know is feeling despair, there is help. Please, if you’re a chef, put this number in your kitchen, put it in your phone, share it with your team, your friends, your family. It’s time to fucking throw away the shame and judgement of mental illness. We are one people. The suicide hotline: 1-800-273-8255 . . . . #ripbourdain #bourdain #GOAT

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Tragic news about Anthony Bourdain. There was such energy being in his presence.

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Rest in Power 🙏

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Legendary trailblazer Anthony Bourdain was not only a television host, an author, and a chef. He was our tour guide to the farthest corners of the world, the deepest parts of our souls. He took us there via a bowl of noodles or a platter of roast goat, and helped the world realize the social, political, and cultural value of food. While he was a James Beard Award winner, he was also one of our most outspoken critics. We honor him for his great work, which challenged all of us to ask hard questions and held us accountable for finding meaning in food, respecting the people who prepare it, and making change in the world. He will be deeply missed. The suicide of Anthony Bourdain is a stark reminder of depression and mental illness in our society, and within the culinary community. Available resources include Chefs with Issues (link in our bio), and if you need immediate help, please call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255. (Photo: David S. Holloway, courtesy of CNN)

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