Anthony Bourdain, the author of Kitchen Confidential and other influential works, and star of numerous TV shows, has died. He was 61. In the wake of his passing, chefs took to social media to express their pain and gratitude for the man who changed the industry.
J.D. Fratzke of Bar Brigade, Spring Cafe, Red River Kitchen and Delicata wrote, “Rest easy, Chef. We’ve got the close. We’ll lock up. Have one on us tonight...”
“All my kings have fallen down.... Fallen heroes feed the ground.” pic.twitter.com/4UUY3jJrKL
— JDFratzke (@carnalartistry) June 8, 2018
Erik Sather of Lowry Hill Meats: “Even superheroes struggle with depression. RIP to one of the greatest. Please reach out for help if you need it - 1 (800) 273-8255”
Our hearts broke this morning at the news of Anthony Bourdain’s death. His total honesty, drive to learn all the world had to teach him, and genuine zest for life made him the one and only celebrity chef to earn our fearless founder Mitch Omer's unbridled admiration and respect.
— HellsKitchenMN (@HellsKitchenMN) June 8, 2018
Hell’s Kitchen wrote: “His total honesty, drive to learn all the world had to teach him, and genuine zest for life made him the one and only celebrity chef to earn our fearless founder Mitch Omer’s unbridled admiration and respect.” The restaurant’s chef and founder Mitch Omer died in 2015.
Doug Flicker of Bull’s Horn and the now-shuttered Piccolo, where Bourdain filmed an episode of his show about the Heartland, wrote: “This man made a huge difference in my life. I debt that I can never repay. He said some amazing things about Piccolo that cemented it’s fate and silenced a lot of haters at the time. I met an amazing man that day. Kind..humble..real. Latter I got this tattoo of the kitchen tape that was on a deli of mise en place for the show. As incredibly sad and broken his death makes me feel I take solace in the though that there are countless people like myself out there that he made positive life changing hints happen for. Our pain today must have been like the pain he lived with everyday and that’s not fair to him. Thank you Tony for EVERYTHING you have done.”
Christina Nguyen of Hai Hai and Hola Arepa: “He started a movement of exploring culture & people through food and travel. He was a voice for real cooks. An unlikely celebrity. A feminist. A lover of Vietnam. He made the world seem small, within reach and he inspired many of my travels. It’s a truly sad day.”
"Chef, you were an inspiration to all of us, truly one of a kind human being. You opened the worlds eyes and gave them a...
Posted by Parlour Bar St. Paul on Friday, June 8, 2018
J.J. Cachuela of Parlour Bar: “Chef, you were an inspiration to all of us, truly one of a kind human being. You opened the worlds eyes and gave them a glimpse of how hard, crazy, and tough, and wonderful this industry that we love is. One of my first cook books was yours and from that moment I was hooked. Thank you for teaching me to read, study, and to be a better person. Rest easy chef you will be missed by many.”
Alan Bergo of the Forager Chef, formerly of Lucia’s: “‘The life we live is “la puta vida”, (this bitch of a life) and one might well bemoan a sorry state of affairs with a cry of “porca miseria!” (pig of misery).’ Pg227. Thanks for everything Tony. Time to read this #testament again.”
Ann Kim of Young Joni, Pizzeria Lola, and Hello Pizza: “Spring is passing. The birds cry, and the fishes fill.With tears on their eyes.. -Basho.May you find peace, Anthony Bourdain.
If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or text the Crisis Text Line at 741-741. For international resources, here is a good place to begin.