This evening was one of the more special moments of my life. I was filled with so much love and adoration watching the two of you speak. Thank you for sharing this. We will always love you Bourdain.
Kitchen Confidential is on my top 10 (have read several times, will continue to read, loaned out and made SURE it was returned) list of books that I adore. It feels so validating to read that someone else misses Anthony’s voice in the world. His writings are some of the best examples to use when you’re waving your arms around saying, “but it needs to sound like YOU”!
He was honest about himself in ways that I don’t think I will fully appreciate until I’ve lived longer. He not only introduced me to what it means to be a lover of food and people, but what a truly great author can do for a reader. It makes me so sad to think there will never be a new book offering from him, with fresh ideas or scintillating take downs of new tends in the food world, but I tell you what... they’re going to have to pry the wrinkled, crinkled, stained, and shabby copy of Kitchen Confidential off my highest bookshelf when it’s my time.
Thank you so much. I completely agree, reading it has made me re-evaluate my own writing voice right now. And I hear you on being honest. In a world of bullshit it was so fresh to get his takes
Wow, what a privilege to have been about in his orbit! I similarly came to "A Cook's Tour" later on, after his passing. Such a great read from an incredible writer. Glad we have folks like you continuing his legacy in some shape and form.
Bourdain was an idol to me! I used to teach his writing to college freshmen as a model of “the angle.” I can’t pick a favorite, but I was just recently recommending to someone the Obama / Vietnam episode. What a brilliant writer and beautiful soul. Thanks for these reflections.
I am in the middle of re-reading Kitchen Confidential for about the 5th time right now. Every time I do it's a reminder of how fucking great a writer he was. Definitely of its time, as you say, but nevertheless, it's evocative and memorable and reminds me of why I loved working in hospitality so much.
This evening was one of the more special moments of my life. I was filled with so much love and adoration watching the two of you speak. Thank you for sharing this. We will always love you Bourdain.
It was such a special night. So glad to share it with you xx
Kitchen Confidential is on my top 10 (have read several times, will continue to read, loaned out and made SURE it was returned) list of books that I adore. It feels so validating to read that someone else misses Anthony’s voice in the world. His writings are some of the best examples to use when you’re waving your arms around saying, “but it needs to sound like YOU”!
He was honest about himself in ways that I don’t think I will fully appreciate until I’ve lived longer. He not only introduced me to what it means to be a lover of food and people, but what a truly great author can do for a reader. It makes me so sad to think there will never be a new book offering from him, with fresh ideas or scintillating take downs of new tends in the food world, but I tell you what... they’re going to have to pry the wrinkled, crinkled, stained, and shabby copy of Kitchen Confidential off my highest bookshelf when it’s my time.
Thanks for this beautiful piece. ❤️
Thank you so much. I completely agree, reading it has made me re-evaluate my own writing voice right now. And I hear you on being honest. In a world of bullshit it was so fresh to get his takes
Wow, what a privilege to have been about in his orbit! I similarly came to "A Cook's Tour" later on, after his passing. Such a great read from an incredible writer. Glad we have folks like you continuing his legacy in some shape and form.
Yamas!
It’s such a great book isn’t it?! And thank you, that’s a very kind thing to say but I think he was in a league of his own!
Bourdain was an idol to me! I used to teach his writing to college freshmen as a model of “the angle.” I can’t pick a favorite, but I was just recently recommending to someone the Obama / Vietnam episode. What a brilliant writer and beautiful soul. Thanks for these reflections.
What a great teaching tool his writing must have been!
Really good post, Yasmin - wi particular thanks for memories of Bourdain (particularly the tv series, which I found brilliant).
Thank you!
I am in the middle of re-reading Kitchen Confidential for about the 5th time right now. Every time I do it's a reminder of how fucking great a writer he was. Definitely of its time, as you say, but nevertheless, it's evocative and memorable and reminds me of why I loved working in hospitality so much.
Enjoy Corfu :-)
That’s so great. I love those books you can keep coming back to. His work is definitely in that category