Tony Bourdain was just in Florence, filming at one of our favorite trattoria’s in town. He was with one of Florence’s rock stars Pelu, who held a small impromptu concert in the trattoria.
He was just visiting at Dario’s in Chianti with his girlfriend Asia Argento and I was jealous that I had not been there. The fotos of them with my friends, everyone smiling.
It is hard to believe the news just a week later that he took his own life.
For anyone that worked in a restaurant, Tony Bourdain was a hero for his bad boy book, Kitchen Confidential, sharing the inside story of working in restaurants and surviving. Working in restaurants in the 80’s was really a lot of drugs, sex and rock and roll. Many did not make it. The stress in the kitchen is not for everyone and it takes a lot out of you. Over the years, that bad boy of the kitchen toned down some and his great story-telling abilities came through loud and strong with his travel adventures.
The first travel shows were extreme and still that bad boy in the kitchen… they then went to more about being curious and entertaining with his insights. It was always fun to see who he chose to show him around and share his table.His constant curiousity and hunger to discover new places and share them with us.
Anthony Bourdain Was the Kind of ‘Bad Boy’ We Need More Of is a great article about him.
I attend a culinary conference once a year in the USA. We had Tony as a speaker one year. Did you know he wrote novels? He shared some of his secrets about writing with us, including his passion for listening to the police radio for inspiration. I totally wasn’t expecting that. I haven’t read his novels yet, one is Typhoid Mary, based on a true story of a cook in New York who was carried the typhoid virus and passed it on to the households she cooked for. Several of his other novels are about gangsters.. and always involve food.
His passion for travel and love of food and understanding a culture by sharing a meal is something that hits home with me. I began traveling right out of high school and never stopped.
So much of what he says about cooking, eating and travel really hit home.
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
I am sorry he chose to leave us, I am sure there were so many more stories.
Ciao Tony….. Grazie
A beautiful tribute, Judy. Thank you.
Well said Judy. He will indeed be missed
My heart goes out to you…as a former bad boy…I can relate…
He was recently in Martha’s Home town in West Virginia, had dinner in one of her friend’s home.Was very aware of problems in the state. I enjoyed his show and his desire to eat anything everywhere. Harrison
What a fabulous tribute Judy. Thank you for sharing. So sad. Madonna
From the heart. I’ve only read him (beginning w/that 1999 NYer piece). Have never looked at brunch the same way again.
Lovely tribute Judy. Thank you for sharing. Ciao, Laura
Well said. He was a one of a kind. Thanks Judy. Beautiful tribute.
Thanks, Jude, For your great article on Tony Bourdain. We have bieen fans of his for years. Leo and Eva Kowalski
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Judy, Love your blog. I have been looking for a recipe for several years now and have not come up with one yet. The Recipe is for a fig pie that my mother and grandmother always made for special occasions and at Christmas. Maybe you will know what I Am talking about or maybe know of a recipe. Thanks And wonderful post on Tony, watch him always on TV, I will be looking for his novel, did not know of his writings. You are so kind to share all this information with us.
can you tell me where they were from? there are some sicilian desserts with figs in a crust.
Both parents and grandparents were from Paladin area. I remember when they made it they would grind dry fruit and figs that was soaked in orange juice. I also. remember they card them something that sounded like Samaritan’s that is about all I remember. I sure appreciate your response. I do remember that they tasted amazing and she use to make them in small pie tins. Thanks
i think everyone has a different name for the dessert.. mostly I have seen cookies or a larger round ring cake. https://divinacucina.com/2009/12/sicilian-christmas-cookies/
Figs and orange…. Cuccededdi is another name for the small cookies.
A lovely tribute…and he definitely left his mark on us all. Sort of at a loss as to what more to add to such a huge loss to those of us who really, really appreciated his insights, humour and honesty. RIP Anthony…you miss be missed big time. Thank you Judy for putting your feelings out to us…wish I were there for a big hug. He was an awesome!
Beautifully said Judy. Senza parole!
RIP Tony
They were from Palermo, Italy not pa whatever.
Beautiful tribute, Judy! You understand and have compassion and wrote it well.. still feel shaken…cant wait to cook with you! End of August should be a great time for ingredients!🤗😘 thanks for posting this!