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The World Reacts to the Death of Anthony Bourdain

Chefs, cooks, writers, and personalities from across the entertainment world express shock and sadness

WASTED! The Story Of Food Waste Premiere  - Celebration At Mission Chinese Food, New York, NY Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for WASTED! Documentary

Chef, author, and TV host Anthony Bourdain has died at the age of 61. The “gifted storyteller” was found unresponsive in his hotel in room in France while filming an episode of Parts Unknown. It has been reported that the cause of death was suicide.

Tributes from the the world of food and media have started to pour in for one of the most influential international voices in the industry.

It began with Noma’s Rene Redzepi, who said he was “heart broken” and “in disbelief.”

The Chew’s Carla Hall called Bourdain a “beloved presence in the culinary community.”

Chef, writer, and TV host Andrew Zimmern is wearing Bourdain’s boots today. “My heart is heavy,” he said.

David Chang posted just a black square to Instagram, and quoted Will Oldham.

The British author and TV presenter Nigella Lawson described it as “unbearable for his family and girlfriend.”

London chef Yotam Ottolenghi recalled visiting Jerusalem with Bourdain in 2013.

American chef, restaurateur, and cookery writer Andy Ricker, known for his cooking of northern Thai cuisine, said “long may you run, wherever you’ve gone.”

Jose Andres, a fellow chef and activist, paid tribute to his friend: “You will always travel with me.”

Former official chief photographer for the White House shot this famous photo of Barack Obama and Bourdain in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Tragic news about Anthony Bourdain. There was such energy being in his presence.

A post shared by Pete Souza (@petesouza) on

British chef Gordon Ramsay said he was “stunned and saddened,” adding that Bourdain “inspired so many people to explore cultures and cities through their food.”

Mission Chinese’s Danny Bowien posted a photo of himself with Bourdain, without a caption.

Queer Eye’s Antoni Porowski paid tribute to Bourdain, whom he called his “idol.”

Astronaut Scott Kelly recalled watching Parts Unknown while in space, writing: “It made me feel more connected to the planet, its people and cultures and made my time there more palatable.”

Shake Shack founder and Union Hospitality CEO Danny Meyer wrote about Bourdain’s ability to inspire others.

Michael Twitty, chef and author of The Cooking Gene, praised Bourdain for his profoundly respectful approach to other cultures, races, and religions.

San Francisco chef and restaurant owner Daniel Patterson recalled Bourdain’s “honest and open and human” way of writing and living.

Toronto restaurateur Jen Agg thanked Bourdain for being her champion “when almost no other high profile dudes would be.”

British chef Jamie Oliver paid his respects with a photo on Twitter.

Marcus Samuelsson posted a photo Bourdain with him and his wife, Maya Haile.

New York-based chef Wylie Dufresne said on Twitter, “I think we can’t possibly realize yet how much we’ll miss him.”

Thomas Keller of The French Laundry shared a photo and said, “The kitchen lights are dim today.”

Chef-restaurateur Daniel Boulud shared a photo from filming Parts Unknown, when they dined together with chef Paul Bocuse, saying, “We will always have Lyon.”

Top Chef alum Kwame Onwuachi shared a photo and attributed his culinary career to Bourdain’s “narratives.”

Elsewhere, members of the food media across the world reacted with sadness, commenting on an extraordinary personality.

This post will be updated throughout the day as further tributes are paid. Brenna Houck contributed reporting.


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.