Remembering Anthony Bourdain

Like many around the world, I am saddened and join them in mourning the passing of one of my most beloved celebrity chefs, Anthony Bourdain.  Though I do not know him personally, yet I feel keenly for the loss of this talented man. :'(

From the first moment I 'met' him (on TV) through his first food series, A Cook's Tour in 2002, I was hooked.  I watched diligently every episode of A Cook's Tour, No Reservations and The Layover.  I also watched him (as a judge) on Top Chef, Top Chef All-Stars and The Taste.  The only series I didn't follow was his latest award-winning show, CNN's Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, and that's because it's shown on CNN and not the other usual food and travel channels.

Since news of his death broke, I've been reading article after article written about him....and also watching some heart-wrenching, touching tributes of those who knew him.  I've been so preoccupied with this (+ I wasn't in the mood either) to write any blogposts this week...but I felt the need to write this as a tribute in memory of him.

Quoting his mom, "He's absolutely the last person in the world I would have ever dreamed would do something like this."  I thought so too.  I guess everyone saw the happy side of him on the outside so much so that even his closest friends did not know the demons he was battling inside.

We will always wonder why...why he did what he did.

But we'll probably never know why....only he did.

I was looking forward to his future 'projects' (whatever they might have been)....and then this tragedy happened.  That means we'll never get to read his autobiography or memoirs (something I was hoping to read some day).  I remain forever a fan of him...and his 'works'.  Right now, I only have two (graphic) novels which he co-wrote....Get Jiro!


...and Get Jiro: Blood & Sushi)...to remind me of him (perhaps now's the time to have his other books grace my bookshelves).  I'd want to watch re-runs of his shows (and probably include Parts Unknown this time round) to remind myself just how brilliant a storyteller, Emmy-winning travel host, bestselling author and gifted chef, with a larger-than-life personality, he was.  

I hope he's finally at peace.....and on board a never-ending 'happy train' to where he wants to be amid all his favourite food that he has tasted from all his travels.

I (along with many people in the world) will miss him dearly.
Good night.....and sweet dreams! T_T