Off The Record
12 Quotes From Anthony Bourdain We Will Never Forget
Devastating news were announced by CNN this morning: Anthony Bourdain, the legendary author and star of numerous TV shows, has died at the age of 61.
The network said Bourdain was found dead in his hotel room in Strasbourg where he had been at work on an episode of his CNN travel series “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.” CNN said it was apparent suicide.
CNN released a statement about his passing:
“It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain. His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller. His talents never ceased to amaze us and we will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughter and family at this incredibly difficult time.”
He is largely credited for defining an era of line cooks as warriors, exposing a kitchen culture in which drugs, drinking and long, brutal hours on the line in professional kitchens were both a badge of honor and a curse…
Here are 12 Quotes from Anthony Bourdain we will never forget:
1. “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.”
2. “Your body is not a temple, it’s an amusement park. Enjoy the ride.”
3. “If you’re twenty-two, physically fit, hungry to learn and be better, I urge you to travel – as far and as widely as possible. Sleep on floors if you have to. Find out how other people live and eat and cook. Learn from them – wherever you go.”
4. “No one understands and appreciates the American Dream of hard work leading to material rewards better than a non-American.”
5. “Maybe that’s enlightenment enough: to know that there is no final resting place of the mind; no moment of smug clarity. Perhaps wisdom…is realizing how small I am, and unwise, and how far I have yet to go.”
6. “Skills can be taught. Character you either have or you don’t have.”
7. “If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. The extent to which you can walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food, it’s a plus for everybody. Open your mind, get up off the couch, move.”
8. “The journey is part of the experience – an expression of the seriousness of one’s intent. One doesn’t take the A train to Mecca.”
9. “Don’t lie about it. You made a mistake. Admit it and move on. Just don’t do it again. Ever”
10. “Good food is very often, even most often, simple food.”
11. “That without experimentation, a willingness to ask questions and try new things, we shall surely become static, repetitive, moribund.”
12. “The way you make an omelet reveals your character.”
Image source: Peabody Awards/Flickr
