I have always been drawn to the thrill of travel and the joy of discovering new foods. The spirit of adventure has always sparked something in me. For that reason, this past year I was
recently drawn to the works of Anthony Bourdain, a world-renowned chef, writer and television
host who combined his love for food and travel to tell powerful stories about culture, humanity and connection.
As I delved deeper into his works, particularly his television series, “Parts Unknown,” I found myself mesmerized by something raw and captivating about Bourdain’s nature. I couldn’t
immediately pinpoint what drew me in, yet I was hooked. He had this ability to connect with
people from all walks of life, whether it was a West Virginia coal miner or a Shanghai noodle
vendor. Despite his fame and success, Bourdain was grounded, engaging with the world not as a
celebrity, but as a fellow human being.
I noticed that his shows were never about promoting himself or showcasing extravagance. They were purely about connection. When I watched Bourdain’s episode in Scotland where he joins famous writer A.A Gill for a red stag hunting expedition, I finally pinpointed the specific aspect of Bourdain that truly drew me in: Bourdain was real. He showed up as he was: flawed and imperfect, but unapologetically himself. And because of that, he was able to forge connections with people all around the globe. His authenticity allowed him to step into unfamiliar worlds, not as an outsider looking in, but as a participant who truly wanted to understand and respect the people and cultures he encountered. He was candid about his own struggles, including his battles with addiction and his own insecurities. Instead of letting these define him, he used them to forge deeper bonds with others, transcending cultural and linguistic barriers.
As I watched more and more episodes, I found myself deeply inspired by Bourdain. He
made me want to be more authentic, to embrace vulnerability and to connect with people on a
deeper level. Yet, this admiration was tinged with sadness. I knew that Bourdain had taken his life in 2018 at the age of 61. I was watching a man who passed away nearly six years ago.
Even years later, the weight of the tragedy is hard to reconcile with the life-loving persona he
shared with the world. How could someone who inspired so many to embrace the beauty of life
feel so lost and isolated? These questions linger to this day, and they cast a bittersweet shadow
on his legacy.
Bourdain’s life was a paradox, one of incredible outward vibrance and inward pain. That reality has and continues to make people uncomfortable. CNN stopped airing his shows and now every time someone says “Anthony Bourdain,” it comes with a somber tone. The focus on his
struggles, while important to acknowledge, has unfortunately shadowed the more important
message of his work: the power of human connection. Instead of remembering him for his
powerful nature, many associate his name primarily with his tragic end.
This imbalance is unfortunate – not just to Bourdain, but to the countless people he
inspired. Anthony Bourdain deserves to be reclaimed as the symbol of authenticity and
connection, not overshadowed by the weight of his struggles. While his death by suicide is a
tragic and sobering reminder of the complexities of mental health, it should not diminish the life
lessons he offered us. Rather than striving to be like Bourdain in every way, we should focus on
the best parts of his example, the way he connected with people on a deep, human level, his
willingness to embrace imperfection and his relentless curiosity about the world. If more of us
lived in this way, the world would undoubtedly be a better place.
So, I invite you to revisit his work, or discover it for the first time. If you resonate with this article, you’ll find much to admire in his stories.
We Should All Learn From Anthony Bourdain.
Rest In Peace.