**Image from bonapetite.com
“I urge you travel as far and widely as possible. Sleep on floors if you have to. Find out how other people live and cook. Learn from them wherever you go” – Anthony Bourdain
Friday, June 8, 2018, 7:28am pulling into work I hear the devastating news that Anthony Bourdain is dead at age 61. Cause of death, apparent suicide.
With goosebumps on my skin and tears in my eyes I try and absorb what I have just heard, try to process this information and compose myself to get the workday underway. This is just something I can’t fathom, especially when it comes on the heels of learning that another icon, Kate Spade, had taken her life in the same manner, the same week.
While I have been saddened by the loss of many a beloved celebrity over the years the ones I have actually mourned have been few, Anthony Bourdain is one them.
I have admired and been inspired by this man, by his work, his persona, his passion, his natural curiosity, his ability to call people out on their bullshit, his unmistakable smile and ability to make others smile as well.
His genuineness came through in his writing and on screen as he traveled the globe and opened up the world to all of us. Whatever corner of the planet he found himself in, it felt like I was there with him. I invited him into my home and inevitability into my life without ever having met him. I, like many, lived vicariously through Anthony and figuratively devoured everything he dished out.
I have always believed that food connects people and this connection is what Mr. Bourdain conveyed with each and every one of his masterfully told stories, stories that remarkably he began telling at age 44. It is perhaps this detail about his life that I find most amazing, that his rise to fame came later in life, that it came after a tumultuous time in his life; teaching us that challenges and struggles can be overcome and that it’s never too late to chase a dream and turn it into a reality.
After wiping away the tears that had made their way down my face I dedicated a post to Anthony Bourdain on social media, one that has seen comment after comment from others like me who are heart broken by this loss. From there I went on to read story after story that others, celebrity and non, friends and fans, were also sharing and found myself even more overwhelmed with emotion. This renegade chef, this raconteur, this worldly traveler, this cultural ambassador, this unmistakable human being is someone we have all learned from. He made an impact on many and his loss has left a great void.
Bourdain once said “Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life-and travel- leaves marks on you. Most of the time those marks-on your body or on your heart-are beautiful. Often though, they hurt.” This one definitely hurts.
Now your travels take you to a new realm, may you Rest In Peace.
