Top 10 Anthony Bourdain Moments
#10: Dining With Bill Murray
“Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” (2013-18) The Charleston, South Carolina episode of “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” not only gave us a look at a legendary Southern city, but also a particular national treasure from the north. When visiting to sample the area’s famous seafood, Bourdain and chef Sean Brock took the opportunity to dine with the great Bill Murray. Though eccentrically funny on screen, the “Murricane” (as fellow screen icon Dan Ackroyd calls him) is also notoriously prickly off-screen. What we see here however, is Bourdain somehow getting a disarmed Murray to open up a little about his private life, pranks, moving from New York, and declaring his love of Southern cuisine.
#9: Going All Out in Thailand
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“Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” (2013-18) “Parts Unknown” did more than open viewers' eyes to the cuisines and cultures of places that we may not have the opportunity to visit, but also managed to surprise its host on more than one occasion. Though his knowledge of food was extensive, to say the least, Bourdain still managed to be shocked. One huge example of this was during his trip to Thailand. Although the food was delicious, even he had to admit his pleasant surprise to find that blood soup and a dish made from brains tasted good. That wasn’t his only experience into which he jumped boldly, as the same episode had him hallucinating from a particularly alcoholic dish, and enjoying that ancient Asian tradition known as... “karaoke.”
#8: Cooking in EL Bulli’s Kitchen
“Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” (2005-12) Prior to “Parts Unknown,” Anthony Bourdain would travel around the world to showcase the finest cuisines he could find in “No Reservations.” During a visit to the Costa Brava, the no-holds-barred chef visited the then so-called “best restaurant in the world”: El Bulli. This revered Catalan eatery, under the leadership of its charismatic head chef Ferran Adrià, was frequently booked up for the season a year in advance, and held three Michelin Stars. But when Adrià fan Anthony Bourdain found out it was closing its doors permanently in 2011, he got to visit once more, and joined the kitchen staff for an “experience of a lifetime.”
#7: The Borneo Chest Tattoo
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“Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” (2013-18) For the inked among us, getting a tattoo can be a mild to sore experience. There’s no shame in admitting that there is a little pain involved, depending on where the tattoo will be located. Chest tattoos, particularly those on the solar plexus, are renowned for their trickiness, even with modern technology. However, getting a tattoo now is a much easier experience compared to the hammering methods of old, which is still practiced in Borneo. Quite why Anthony Bourdain decided to be on the receiving end of getting a tattoo in the most painful place by the most painful of methods is questionable. Although it made for great T.V., by his own admission it “hurt... a lot…”
#6: The Atlanta Club
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“The Layover” (2011-13) The premise of “The Layover” was simple—find out how much can be done between the time that a plane lands at, and takes off, from a layover city. This meant that each episode could cover a relatively limited amount of time and action. But an evening arrival in a city known for its bustling nightlife meant even a small amount of layover time could amount to a lot of activity. This was the case as Anthony Bourdain arrived in Atlanta with fellow icon Alton Brown. They set about on an adventure of a lifetime—ending up at the famous club The Clermont Lounge. Bourdain’s remark that it “should be a national landmark” is topped only by their meeting with Atlanta’s unofficial mayor, “Blondie.”
#5: Thanksgiving Dinner
Though there is no video footage that exists for this meal, it’s not hard to assume that the event, straightforwardly described by Bourdain, was even more special than he let on. After his later-controversial partner Asia Argento took a public stand against Harvey Weinstein, Anthony Bourdain cooked and hosted a Thanksgiving meal for her and fellow accusers Rose McGowan and Annabella Sciorra. He did so in honour of their standing up and leading the charge of the #MeToo movement that ultimately helped bring the producer down. Showing gratitude in his best way, he’d later write publically that he stood with them “unhesitatingly and unwaveringly.”
#4: Exploring Israeli & Palestinian Cultures
“Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” (2013-18) The opening to this episode of “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” takes no time in pointing out that this will be a one to remember. Getting his shots in early, Bourdain acknowledged that he was likely to receive a lot of backlash for making the episode, but invited the scorn, and went for it anyway. Bourdain—an outsider on all fronts—associated with every community he could in that contentious area of the Middle East in order to showcase the history, culture and, obviously, the cuisine. He visited both Jerusalem and Gaza, and made no apologies, nor any focus on politics.
#3: Fleeing Beirut
“Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” (2005-12) It’s safe to say that this wasn’t the usual episode of “No Reservations.” After wrapping filming for the night in Beirut, the growing tensions in the region escalated into violence. The airport that the show’s crew had arrived at (as well as intending to depart from) was bombed, stranding the cast and crew. Evacuated to a safer hotel for 9 days, they had a birds-eye view of the fighting. The host and crew were in constant uncertainty about bombing, losing communication lines and considering just how they were going to escape. All of the crew did, unscathed, and Bourdain went back four years later to pick up where he’d left off.
#2: Back to the Kitchen
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“A Cook’s Tour” (2002-03) Returning to where you spent your formative years can sometimes be a harrowing and deeply personal experience. Oftentimes, the nostalgia will bring out the reality of how far you’ve come in life. Such was the case with Anthony Bourdain during a first season episode of “A Cook’s Tour.” Although he was early into his TV hosting days, his history in the kitchens was reputable. However, his troubled history of addiction was relatively lesser-known. Returning to Provincetown allowed Bourdain to share stories of his past, revisit the kitchen where he started out in the ‘70s as well as introduce us to the mentor that inspired him so much. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Japanese Robots Blowing Bourdain’s Mind “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” (2013-18) Wise Words on Waffle House “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” (2013-18) Candid Conversation With the Queen of Interviews “The Oprah Winfrey Show” (1986-2011) Iggy Pop and Anthony—Two Legends Sharing a Tale or Two “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” (2013-18) Getting Shredded With Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” (2013-18)
#1: Lunch With Barack Obama
“Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” (2013-18) What have we here? Just two classy American tourists sharing a beer and some food in Hanoi. It’s awesome how coolly and casually the dynamic duo laughed over beer and delicious food and talked candidly, even with a camera crew present. Yes, this was actually Anthony Bourdain enjoying lunch with the then-President of the United States, in an unprecedented interview. Bourdain happened to be filming an episode of “Parts Unknown” when POTUS was visiting. So the two made plans, met up and chatted about everything non-White House. Their mutual admiration was remarked on by both afterwards, with Obama eventually tweeting his sincere condolences when Bourdain later tragically passed away.
