Is Anthony Bourdain A Sellout?
Over at BlogCritics Magazine, Holly Hughes is questioning whether Anthony Bourdain has sold out:
In case you haven’t noticed, however, we live in a media age, and I can’t blame Anthony Bourdain for selling out as soon as TV came a-calling. It’s not like he was a Nobel Prize-winning poet, anyway – he was just a chef, folks, and not a particularly distinguished one at that. At least his first foray into the televisual realm was on the Food Network: the 12-part A Cook’s Tour, which played off on his willingness to eat gross local specialties from around the globe. Fair enough, and he did write a very entertaining book to go with it.
I dismiss the idea honestly. What is “selling out” anyway? Is it becoming popular? If so, it’s a bit ironic – and more than a bit hypocritical – that each and every one of us aspires to success and perhaps a bit of infamy in our line of work; yet when someone else accomplishes the same goals, we trash them for “selling out”.
Yes, on rare occassions, Bourdain’s taped doing things that he admits he’d rather not do (dancing, riding a bicycle through the bustling streets of Buenos Aires, etc.), but these are clearly the exceptions rather than the rule.
Simply having a television show is not selling out. Sacrificing who you are and what you’re willing to do for money is and I don’t believe Tony’s done either of these things. He’s still the same crass, rough around the edges, traveling foodie who’s unwilling to pull any punches. Have you heard how many times Bourdain swears and yells on his show? It’s not as though he’s sanitizing No Reservations content for family-hour cable television.
Says Holly:
Luckily, the visual style of these Travel Channel shows has found an equivalent to Bourdain’s prose. The handheld camera, the quick-cut editing, the ambient soundtrack, put us right in the thick of his culinary adventures. Bourdain’s voice-overs are astringent, self-mocking, wry – a perfect antidote to the gushing prose usually found in travel documentaries.
You mean the kind of gushing prose found in travel documentaries of … sellouts? No Reservations is the antithesis of same. You can’t have it both ways.
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Anthony Bourdain returns to town (Charleston City Paper) Tickets on sale Friday by Stephanie Barna As if local foodies haven't had enough mingling with the food superstars, Anthony Bourdain will be coming to town for a show at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. The press release is vague about what exactly the show is, but if you buy a $200 VIP ticket you'll get to schmooze with the tall and dashing star of No Reservations, a Travel Channel ...
Sun Mountain Yabuli resort to be featured on Travel Network and Discovery Channel's "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations" (CNW Group via Yahoo! Finance) Melco China Resorts Limited , is pleased to announce that its Sun Mountain Yabuli resort will be featured on the award winning television series Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. The show will premiere on the Travel Network on March 15th, 2010 and thereafter will be broadcast on the Discovery Channel.
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About Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain is a celebrity chef, world traveler, bestselling author, and host of The Travel Channel's Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.
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"My whole life, cooking has been about control. Traveling and eating are about letting things happen."
- Anthony Bourdain
Is there any way to send a note to Tony that he’ll acutally get or read?
I love all Anthony Bourdain’s show’s, please keep him on forever. I encourage everyone I know to watch him. He just seems so original,plus he is a man not a sissy. I’ll stop there!
I need to get in touch with anthony’s agent or himself to discuss some ideas about possible employement issues if i could get an e-mail or a number of someone who could help me in this matter please e-mail me at adam4music21@yahoo.com
I know he has had “things” to say about Emeril(ya he looks like an ewok)But food net cancelling him and leaving a bunch of bimbos doesn’t seem right
PS bought the book loved it!
I cannot comment on Mr. Bourdain as regards being a sell-out or much of anything else. I have noted he can be a bit of a curmudgeon and a strong cynical streak. So I was very surprised by the piece I just watched on New Orleans.
I am a native of New Orleans. I found his telecast on our city to be very sensitive and touching. It brought my emotions to the surface and I found myself crying in response to the presentation. The release was apparently much needed and I wanted to thank Mr. Bourdain for this. Our City is recovering and we depend on playing host to the rest of the world to keep our city running. I believe Mr. Bourdain’s contribution to positive press for us will go a long way to help us recover and soar to new heights.
Thanks,
Eric Ibert
Watched Anthony working on the line last night. What a f*cking nightmare! I have to say that because of that episode, I will dine in a more appreciative manner. It is unreal the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes. I was completely impressed with every person working 300% to get those meals out to well….us. It was like watching an erratic ballet if you will of latinos. I loved it!! I appreciate it when the hardworking people behind the curtains are finally given a beam of limelight.Thank you Anthony for showing us what it takes to get our meals presented to us hot and cooked to perfection. Never have I seen or realized the intense process and before last night, I really didn’t care. It was an amazing sight and I wish that more of these “chefs” would go behind the scenes of their onscreen kitchens and show us just how much work and preparation goes on before and during the show. I’m disgusted with most of them out there. I think that there is a lack of acknowledgement or perhaps they are afraid of someone stealing their thunder…..who knows. I just wanted to say that I enjoyed watching you freak out under pressure and I have to admit that there was a tiny part of me that wanted to see you “choke”. Call it human nature I guess
Thanks again for keeping us aware of just what goes on in millions of restaurants around the world time and time again. Thank you for showing us that our meals aren’t just perfect by accident. Great job by the way under pressure, you totally kept your ass up with those “kids” and I for one congratulate you. How drunk did you get afterwards???
Thanks Again,
Lisa Oroz Clark
Tony Tony Tony, how does it feel to be sitting at the same table with Rocco, whats the deal man? What did the bravo network have to do to get your to do that episode. i guess money makes you do strange things. Maybe you should go back and read your own books, or some Freeling, or Zola. screw the celebrity and fame dude, your better than that. Cook free or die!
Tony is not a sellout. With that, I would like to invite Tony and crew to Sarasota, Florida. Sarasota has the most registered charities than any other county in the country. (Which means lots of parties!!!) Please have someone concact from Tony’s crew.
you know as a sell out. we all sell out. I used to be a chef but i dont think being almost 31 that if i went back i be able to handle the line or wanted to. I want to be in charge making menu’s, bangin waitresses & customers. ALl the stuff i watched my executive chefs do when they wold take credit for the food the line staff would either create or make. So i say go on with your bad self. I love your take you show more of the working class & not all the glitz & glamor
Anthony Thank you, for everything
rem
live of the drunken sous chef i got a boook ideaits deep
I saw the meat picture….. I don’t know what to say. Sellout.
Hi Anthony, I like you so much, you are very smart and I think you are very cute… I love see you in a kitchen. Sorry, if is something wrong with my message, I’m lerning english now. Bye
As a writer myself, I owe a lot to Anthony Bourdain. His writing and videos have opened an entirely different perspective to me and has helped mould me to be a better writer.
And yeah, I managed to interview Michael Ruhlman thanks to him!
There are SOOO many people content with less adventure in their lives. I have lived more by way of vicariousness through the class and cool that Anthony personifies making friends effortlessly crossing cultural boundaries, all the while enjoying the layer that many travelers take for granted while abroad.
That layer is the world of food with each of his destinations. I count Anothony as a subtle comedian of sly where he can crack through the surface of things where the typical traveler may not. MANY thanks to him being a chef of great experience and taking it to a level of international acclaim.
I hope one day to have a beer and something fried with hotsauce with Anothony while conversating music.
Well I have to say I was angered and very disappointed in chefs Ted Nugent pod cast and even posted on his blog about it. I was trying to write in his style (Snarky) and envisioned him and Ted making fun of war amputees moving too slow in the subway. I was a bit surprised at his mistake. Thats what it was too, making fun of fat people on a food show. What could be more, well dumb. But I must say I feel bad now, I don’t want to loose Mr. Bourdain’s show and it looks like there were many people that felt the same way as I did. I think it hurt people’s feelings but as several die hard fans advised, I got over it .
Very funny show, and I can imagine how hard it must be to walk that line between controversial and in trouble with the fans . I hope he stays edgy and unconstrained. So Ill let the metaphorical stone in my hand slip quietly to the ground. We have all made mistakes, I have made my share. I said in that flaming post that he should “get it by now”, well so should I. Pointing out peoples mistakes doesn’t suit me at all. Its a testimony to Mr. Bourdain that I was inspired to respond at all, as I do not blog usually. At least he gets people interested. Anyway, I hope he laughed at my post on his blog under the name “Very Disappointed”. I wish him many years of No Reservations. I really do love the show. He writes wonderfully and it would be a loss if this thing changes his show at all. Signed Apologetic
“Anthony Reserved?”
My god dude!
I just watched the episode where you were, or picked Danya from Saudi Arabia for your show. (ugggggh)
Ive never seen you so reserved. maybe it was because you couldnt drink, hmmmmm, but if so, it sucked big time. I hope you snuck something in to drink. I would have!, damn, this is the first episode i was ever bored to tears and was waiting for you to say fuck it and build your own still or bring over a sandrail from the US with a chevy 454 to show those people what a real thrill in the sand would be, especially with fuel under a buck a gallon..lol. but no, you ate a young camel- jesus
This episode really bugged me, you picked a total white, perfect english speaking non native woman to take you to kentucky fried chicken?. holy crap, This wasnt you man.
Anyway, done with my ranting,
I’ll still watch “Anthony reserved!”
but, hey! if you ever want to go to a foriegn country, eat, drink, smoke and have a good time, i’m your man…..:)
gonna watch andrew now, that little wierd fat fuck…..:)
I wish you good eats and putang….:)
J.T.
DUDE… W.T.F… Ted Nugent??? he’s a fascist gun nut, and a no talent right wing TOOL… why the hell would you want to be in the same state with an asshole like that???
You’re my favorite Chef, on T.V. and elsewhere… but man, I’m having a REAL hard time with this one…
He’s great when he’s not advocating that people encourage their kids to pick on fat kids at school.
Tony is the man of a great generation and reflects what we care about. Tony will go where I cannot and in some cases will not go. His writings are profound and interesting. He is no sell out. Tony dose an excellent job. In fact he should venture into new areas that tell us more about his experience.
I’m in New York next year, Where to eat? Brooklyn, Bronx, Flushing, Manhathan.
Thank Yo by you recocomendations.
Alí Godoy
Venezuela.
P.D. Where to eat pig (The Best)in Bali?
Hello Anthony
We’re making a benefit event in Portland Oregon in February 09 and I was wondering if you were open to making speaking appearances? Are you available for special events?
Several years ago I wrote to you after dining at Les Halles. I commented that I was both a deejay & a chef and I included a CD of music along with my letter. Do you remember ever getting that CD?
We’d love to have you join us in Portland sometime.
His voice is unique because he’s not a kissass/sellout.
complete fraud
i just watched the show from sweeden, TOTALLY DIG THE STOOGES FUN HOUSE REFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ya know, just keep doin what you are doin! I come from Montana and Harley is from Chicago (we live in chitown). We learn a shit ton from you. We don’t care where you go, we learn from you. You are a crass, straght MF and we love it. You talk like us, you act like us, keep doing what you do, man!! Who gives a shit but you and the people who care about you. Not to memtion, being from Montana you have opened my eyes to eating things that I would never have even considered. Thank you, there are now places that I want to go that I never would have understood what was goin on. Thanks to you, we want to go there and figure out what to eat, but if it doesn’t kill me I bet it will fuckin rock!!!!
Thanks again and thanks for all the insight!
Korianne and Harley
P.S. Uraguay is a definate must!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sellout? I don’t think so. I respect the fact that you don’t go to the mainstream places, have avoided visiting the Pyramids with the tour busses, and are too shy to dance in front of others.
Now, Rachel Ray is a ’sellout’, as repeatedly referenced.
Emeril? Still a favorite, but getting a bit long in the tooth, and too compartmentalized. One of his books is enough.
The only thing I slightly dislike about your commentary and interaction is the fawning attitude about one culture or another. I appreciate respect, and I know its place.
In one country you have a popular dish and claim it to be the best ever. Yet, one country east or west, it’s the same comment. Perhaps there can be two best bone soups? Yeah, I’m a marrow junkie, too. (My mom taught me that the marrow from a braised beef shank was the best condiment on Earth).
Not to be puritanical, but I’m glad that you quit smoking, and I wish you’d stop glorifying so much alcohol consumption. It appears forced on some shows, yet obligatory and even voracious on others. I realize that it’s an ‘adult’ show, but despite the disclaimer—lay off the shots of rocket fuel on camera!
I hope for many more seasons, and better health to you.
P.S. Please come to New Haven, CT—Home of Yale U. and many, many good ethnic eateries, as well as the Sunday morning farmer’s market (once a flea market) on the south end of town.
One among many notables: Louis’ Lunch (Home of the original cheeseburger–105 years and running), Rudy’s Pub (a Yale staple), and a few Thai and ‘new-veaux’ cuisine joints. There’s also the decades-long debate between Sally’s and Pepe’s pizzerias on the same block (family related, but long disputed).
I’d love to host you on a tour of the city. I think you’ll find it enjoyable.
Mitch
abodemc@mags.net
Mitchcook
i say sell the fuck out as soon as possible, whatever selling out means, i guess it means being able to make some coin nowadays.
Anthony,
I am in the potato business conducting seminars all over the world called Fry Station Management. I have conducted it in 33 countries translated in seven languages. I think your show is awesome and reminds me of my own travels. I worked with the United States Potato board and the Frymaster and Pitco company as a consultant. I cannot believe anyone would consider ending or cutting back your show. The travel channel will be inundated with calls , emails and letters if that was to happen. I hope in my travels I get to meet you. Your trip to Laos should have been seen by ever American. While it wasn’t as upbeat as your typical offering it was none the less probably one if not the best show you have every done.
When I travel all over the world I cannot believe how wonderful I am treated. I teach so that gives me a special honor by those countries I visit. Like you I cannot believe the hospitality and the warmth of the people I meet. Safe travels and I will continue to support your great show. Thanks Greg
Hello there,
I’d like to suggest a rather unique and interesting location (country/region) for Anthony’s next project. I also do have the means and the network to help with logistics of travel and taping of the show. Could someone please send me his email address or contact info?
Thank you,
Darius Molae’
dmolaee@gmail.com
i will say hell no. A.B. is the best food travel show ever..! im watching the Jamaica show now and i want to say right on A.B. i love how u mentioned the unmentionable… keep up the good work & if what u do is selling out then keep on selling..!
yours truley, stikii Ajesus
Coming all the way from Glasgow to see you July 8 th @ L’Halles. Really hope you will be there. I met you in Border Books, at your book signing. What do you know about meat? I know some chefs in Glasgow that have met you and recommend that a slap up meal in NY for my 40 th would be just the ticket. Kitchen Confidential made me the chef I am today & your taste in music is similar to mine. What do you think of Sonic Youth? Fun House is my farvourite LP also. But what do you think of Iggy doing Insurance Commercials? (is this just in Britain)He is a sell out not you. Cant wait to taste Le Halles food. What would you reccomend? (steak frites?) If your coming back to Glasgow come to Firebird, my restaurant. Kick out the jams mother fuckcer. Respect to you
Stef Le Batteur (The Chef of Death)+ drummer in Stiletoe 13 xxxx
Keep being you Anthony! By the way San Antonio,TX is a great city that no travel show wants to touch on! We’ve got more culturally diverse food and people in the south! Check us out
In case you haven’t noticed, however, we live in a media age, and I can’t blame Holly Hughes for selling out as soon as BlogCritic came a-calling. It’s not like she had any discernable talent, anyway – she was just a food critic, folks, and not a particularly distinguished one at that. At least her first foray into the textual realm was a complilation of other peoples work, which played off on her ability to…well…publish other peoples work. Fair enough, and she did write some other very entertaining books to go with it.
Bourdain has made me wake up and realize that I have been eating the same food at the same restaurants for years, and not trying new stuff. After reading his books and watching his shows, I try to make a point of trying new things. There’s a whole world of good food out there… I also cannot eat some meals without chuckling to myself about Tony’s comments regarding vinaigrettes, brunches, well done meats, and so on… And finally, I am am in awe of the people who are in the brutally difficult profession of cooking.
Selling out…?
What would he be selling and to whom would he be selling it???
“Selling out” is such a stupid phrase.
Why the fuck would u ever use sellout and anthony bourdain in the same sentence. Selling out would be him having a how to cooking show on the food-network. I dont see anyone else torturing their stomach to make millions happy well okay Andrew Zimmern he’s interesting he just sticks out so much. Read Kitchen Confidential then if you still feel like you can call him a sellout but ill call you a douche-bag for the rest of your life.
Whatever you want to call it, this is a great show and Tony is one cool personality. There is a lot of crap TV out there and thankfully, this show is not on that list.
Thanks for some wonderful entertainment.
hello, I have a 51? you have the same age, just like your trip, and I am a chef, but I laughed so much in the series as you did in Greece where they started looking bad ass and speaking not only of food but of clothing from the Greeks know jajajajajajaja !!!!!, Greece and work? you with them. I do not miss any of the film you do when you come to argentina avisame, I will show the other side of my country, a big hug!, so that stopped smoking!, gustavo-e-mail: mi . millon@hotmail.com
As a transplanted Jersey Boy (exit 117) out here on the left coast for some 30 years I wanted to comment on your recent show about SF and Oakland. First, I’m glad you made it across the bay and headed straight for the taco trucks. Very impressive for an out of towner. My wife teaches 2nd grade and one of her former student’s, Flaviano Soriano’s, family owns one of the best trucks on Fruitvale, El Michoacan. We make frequent visits and they always make it difficult for La Maestra to pay (but we do).
But too bad you got so hung up with the “political correctness” canard in SF. You must have mentioned it at least 5 or 6 times. You won’t find too many places more open to new ideas than the Bay Area. That is a long tradition dating back to the Gold Rush and the Barbary Coast. How do you think all the new ideas about food (not to mention music, technology, gay rights and on and on) got started here in the first place. Where do you think has more acceptance and political freedom, the so called libertarian heartland or the Bay Area? This is such a myth propagated by the right and it’s unfortunate to hear it blindly repeated. So if I ever hear you talk about SF and political correctness again, I’m going to get the local Thought Police to beat the tartare out of you.
While I’m at it, I really loved your season 5 show about Mexico and that’s what got me hooked. We go to Mexico as frequently as possible and I can’t wait to check out your spots in Mexico City. If you ever get there, be sure to check out Alchemista on the north end of Mazunte beach on the Oaxaca coast and the Especialidad de la Casa at Rincon Del Mar in Puerto Angel (apparently a hangout of Jack Kerouac). I’ll be glad to accompany you there any time. We’d have a blast.
Well when Bourdain has someone else posting responses to shit on his website, it makes you wonder…maybe if he wrote something himself???
Jeez people…get a life. Anthony has one, is that perhaps why your pissed? No life?
As a 100% disabled vet and the fact Im getting old, I can no longer travel as much as I used to. I enjoy the fact that I can watch Anthony travel the way I used to. I love it! He eats the way I do and asks the questions I do. The idea is to have fun and enjoy..Most people just stay in aq hotel and do the typical tourist gig. His show is a gas….with a bit of smoke…Love it!!!!
luv your show and look forward to the new season, cant wait..
Went to your show in Lowell MA 1/8/2010. Stick to TV buddy… We walked out 30 minutes after the start; Let me tell you we were not alone! And you know it! First your AV was terrible, second, what I could hear was terrible material and third I was embarrassed (and this is no lie) when the line of people asking for their money back got so unruly that the police had to get involved. As a fellow Chef I wanted to take money from my own pocket to pay the people back. You’re a fake has been line cook that just got lucky, But that’s ok, you’re getting paid! Sleep tight Anthony
Tony,
I hope to have my new fresh fry patent completed shortly. I can’t wait to teach you the very best way to prepare fresh cut french fries. Believe me this is something you have never seen and yet produces fries that are in a word to capture a Tony phrase ” Heavenly”. Looking forward to your new series and if you don’t win an emmy there will be hell to pay. Trust me, I don’t know why but I consider you an authority on fresh fries GO FIGURE! tELL ZAMIR OUR FIELDS AND STORAGES ARE AWAITING HIS VISIT. I WANT A PICTURE OF HIM CASCADING DOWN AN 18FT HIGH POTATO MOUND HOLDING A PERFECTLY ICE COLD MARTINEE. wOULD THAT MAKE GOOD TELIVISION OR WHAT. bY THE WAY tONY HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A POTATO STORAGE THE SIZE OF A FOOTBALL FIELD WITH SPUDS iDAHO SPUDS THE BEST IN THE WORLD 18 FT HIGH. bELIEVE ME IT’S A SIGHT MANY PEOPLE HAVE NEVER SEEN AND YET THEY EAT THOSE FRIES EVERY DAY. tHERE IS MUCH MORE TO KNOW ABOUT FRENCH FRIES THAN THAT THEY POUR OUT OF THE BAG. i AM AFFECTIONATLEY KNOWN AS mR pOTATOHEAD
I am a Tony fan from back in the day (i.e. cooks tour 1st book etc.) “GOOD TONY” is:
#1 Counter culture hold out.
#2 No b.s. food critic
#3 Mordent Whit – Superb wordsmith and storyteller.
“BAD TONY” is an icon who has agreed to shill for one of the most corrupt, unprincipled, morally bankrupt lending institutions the world has ever known.
Can any one say economic collapse of the banking system circa 2008? Chase/CitiGroup played a major roll in this cataclysmic event.
For Tony to sell out to these corporate jackals is truly mind numbingly sad.
Perhaps Tony will reconsider his position in this matter and return from the dark side.
As a staunch admirer of free thinkers and Tony was one of the greats. We can only hope so.
As of 10:41, January 18th 2010, YES. He is now a sell out.
I was extremely disappointed to see a blatant plug for Chase Sapphire credit cards during the Turkey episode. This is the definition of “sellout.” I am hoping the show hasn’t jumped the shark, Tony.
Tony, I enjoy your format and the the more congenial way you enjoy food-not bugs-lol, from all over the world. You trip (rerun) to Laos was interesting, from the government supplied “guide” introducing to that surly self important provincial official and putting you on the spot with that poor injured farmer. I don’t think you were a “sell out”! I just feel you should have edited out the appology. Bon appetit’.
I would say at this point Anthony has sold out. That is fine if you didn’t spend 20 years railing against Wolfgang Puck and such. he has become them and worse. Also he tries way to hard to keep up the NY cool. He has become a caricature of himself, becoming those who used to mock. My wife is a high end chef and introduced me to Anthony through Chef confidential loved his honesty and non compromising way. He lost last somewhere about 2 years ago. Maybe being father made him change? children will do that!!
sell out ..any one who receives a check is sell out .. anthony just gets bigger checks he still loves food and thats what its all about
Mr. Bourdain,
I was just watching your Prague episode and I noticed that when you paid for coffee the chase sapphire credit card was on the tv for way too long, really unnecessary to plug your sponsors like that because they play that commercial a million times In your commercial breaks. Anthony selling out say it ain’t so!!!!!!!!!! Still love the show keep up the good work.
He is a sellout, he is a glorious sellout and good for him.
Today I watched Anthony get rolled on (and almost killed) in New Zealand by a quad bike and then later he freaked out (as many would!) in a cave in Jamaica. Trust me, if you had to do stuff like that to keep an audience engaged then maybe you’d give him the respect he deserves as an entertainer. Check out some of the other travel guides if you have insomnia. The only negative I can say about Anthony is that he keeps me watching when I need to go and get some sleep! uROk Anthony – big time!
I was *highly* disappointed to see the blatant plug for Chase Sapphire in the Istanbul episode…however, I long to reach a point in my career that selling out is an option.
Although I loved your show, I find it very hard to believe that you’ve been to every carribean country except our beautifful Dominican Republic, it’s alsmost as if there were some kind of prejudice. I tell you that i had to stop watching. Where you dumped by a Dominican or something. I just can’t explain why you haven’t gone, you even went to Haiti and they are riht next door! It really is too bad because your missing out on some of the best food you will ever taste and some of the nicest sweetest people you will ever encounter. We were afterall the FIRST of the Americas!!!
Every time I see “sellout” printed it always lacks definition. I think the main reason for this is that when left open to interpretation people will automatically assign it a negative definition. It’s slander without bothering to say something unsavory about someone.
It’s also almost always said by idiots.
If you think Anthony is a sell out you area fucking idiot. Maybe you should read his books and see what he has been through. If you have time to worry about Anthony being a sell out maybe you need to pick up a hobby. Show the guy some respect.
If selling out is just about making money, then all of us would willing do so. But when you go against your own principles, and kiss the asses of people you professed to hold in such disdain, then selling out is akin to selling your soul, and that is exactly what Bourdain has done. It started with his lip-locking Emeril’s bunghole in the New Orleans episode. Now, he has joined with the Martha Stewart army to do a radio show with his butt buddy Eric Ripert. WTF? What’s next? A cookbook with Rachel Ray? Or perhaps pictures of Tony getting pegged by Rachel in the kitchen of Les Halles?
I have lost all respect for this ass clown. I liked Kitchen Confidential, but all the rest of his books are marginal, at best. No Reservations has become just a rehash of the last episode in a new location.
This is a lot like what happened to Dennis Leary. In the beginning, Dennis was angry, and hilarious. But, as he admits, as the money started to roll in, he lost his anger, and his comic genius. It’s complacency, plain and simple. I’ve made it, why should I try any more? Same thing with Bourdain. He has lost his edge, which is excusable by itself. But associating with those he bashed on the way up, he has become one of them, just another corporate clown to be laughed at and mocked. Kudos to him for making it big, but fuck him for becoming just another corporate asshole.
For all you other ass clowns out there…. Bourdain was never a great chef. He is a fucking schoolboy chef (anyone who ever worked with one of these assholes knows what I am talking about). They come out of culinary school thinking they know everything, but cant cook their way out of a wet paper sack. Bourdain ran Les Halles, a brasserie (the french equivalent of a coffee shop). The kind of place that has 300+ menu items, too many items to do any one of them well. The guy was never a respected chef. Have you ever seen him cook anything original? The times he has cooked, it’s some “classic” french crap (meaning something he got out of Larousse). He’s all hype. He cant cook, and probably never could. Menus created from cookbooks. Sure, he knows kitchen lingo, and enjoys good food, but if you spend enough time reading Gourmet magazine, you too will know all the big words that he does. His so-called chef friends that he visits are paid to be with him, and did not know him at all before the shoot. The shows fixer calls up some local talent wherever they are going to shoot, asks is they can be bribed into hanging out with him for an afternoon and then claims them as “an old friend”. Its all bullshit. They are glad to get paid for getting some TV time with a “celebrity chef”.
If your looking for inspiration, find someone who still cooks for a living, not some no talent hack whos biggest talent was expediting on a Friday night from the opposite side of the line, standing with the waitresses and fingering his sore bunghole. There are plenty of great chefs out there, and Mr. Bourdain is not one of them. If you think being a sarcastic asshole makes you a better cook/chef, you are sadly mistaken.
I love Anthony Bourdain but I have to say, the sell out moniker may just ring true now that he blatantly features Chase Sapphire credit cards on some of his episodes. Whose idea was that anyway, and why did he go along? I’ve never seen such obvious product placement in a travel/cooking show.
Anthony and crew please come to lunch at our warehouse when you are in Salt Lake City soon. Our chef Franco would love to cook for you. Check out our web page.
cheers !
Kevin
Valley Game & Gourmet