Anthony Bourdain, an American celebrity chef, author, and television personality, is best known for his love for food, travel, and the exploration of different cuisines, cultures, and people. An absolute legend of the culinary industry, who has also captivated audiences with his sharp wit, wisdom, and adventurous spirit. Here are the most famous Anthony Bourdain quotes about food, travel, life, and the human experience to inspire your next journey.
Bourdain graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1978 before moving to New York where he ran the kitchen at many respected restaurants.
He rose to prominence while working as the executive chef at Brasserie Les Halles, in Manhattan, when he wrote an article “Don’t Eat Before Reading This,” which exposed the ugly inner workings of the restaurant industry.
He later expanded this article into his bestselling memoir “Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly”.
The book not only contained the inner workings of restaurant kitchens but also had details of his personal life, including his long battle with drug addiction.
With the success of his book, Bourdain appeared in several food and world-travel television shows. His work in shows like “A Cook’s Tour,” “No Reservations,” and “Parts Unknown,” earned him accolades from viewers worldwide.
From his culinary writings and television presentations to his books on cooking and travel adventures, Bourdain has left a legacy that continues to inspire young chefs, travel bloggers, and foodies all around the globe.
Here are the best Anthony Bourdain quotes to inspire you to travel around the world, learn about new cultures, taste local delicacies, and embrace the challenges that come with it.
Top 10 Anthony Bourdain Quotes
- “I don’t have to agree with you to like you or respect you.” — Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain Quotes - “You learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together.” — Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain Sayings - “Whatever had the most shock value became my meal of choice.” — Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain Quotes About Food - “Skills can be taught. Character you either have or you don’t have.” — Anthony Bourdain
Famous Quotes From Anthony Bourdain - “Travel is about the gorgeous feeling of teetering in the unknown.” — Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain Travel Quotes - “Your body is not a temple, it’s an amusement park. Enjoy the ride.” — Anthony Bourdain
Best Anthony Bourdain Quotes - “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” — Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain Quote - “You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.” — Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain Quotes About Life - “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.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “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.” — Anthony Bourdain
Best Quotes by Anthony Bourdain
- “Luck is not a business model.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “Without new ideas, success can become stale.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “Cream rises. Excellence does have its rewards.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “I can unload my opinion on anybody at any time.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “The way you make an omelet reveals your character.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “Barbeque may not be the answer to world peace, but it’s a start.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “Not giving a damn has been a very successful business model for me.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “Don’t lie about it. You made a mistake. Admit it and move on. Just don’t do it again. Ever.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “Without experimentation, a willingness to ask questions and try new things, we shall surely become static, repetitive, and moribund.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.” — Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain’s Quotes About Life
- “I am not afraid to look like an idiot.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “Writing anything is a treason of sorts.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “There is no Final Resting Place of the Mind.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “I make friends faster and easier than journalists.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “It’s very rarely a good career move to have a conscience.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “I know what I want. I want it all. I want to try everything once.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “If I believe in anything, it is doubt. The root cause of all life’s problems is looking for a simple f—ing answer.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “But I’m simply not going to deceive anybody about the life as I’ve seen it. It’s all here: the good, the bad and the ugly.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “Be a fool. For love. For yourself. What you think MIGHT possibly make you happy—even for a little while—whatever the cost or good sense might dictate.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “I always entertain the notion that I’m wrong, or that I’ll have to revise my opinion. Most of the time that feels good; sometimes it really hurts and is embarrassing.” — Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain’s Quotes About Travel And Food
- “Drink heavily with locals whenever possible.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “An ounce of sauce covers a multitude of sins.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “Good food is very often, even most often, simple food.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “Travel is not reward for working, it’s education for living.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “I think food, culture, people and landscape are all absolutely inseparable.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “Sometimes the greatest meals on vacations are the ones you find when Plan A falls through.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “Food had power. It could inspire, astonish, shock, excite, delight and impress. It had the power to please me and others.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “To me, life without veal stock, pork fat, sausage, organ meat, demi-glace, or even stinky cheese is a life not worth living.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “Food is everything we are. It’s an extension of nationalist feeling, ethnic feeling, your personal history, your province, your region, your tribe, your grandma. It’s inseparable from those from the get-go.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “Cooking is a craft, I like to think, and a good cook is a craftsman — not an artist. There’s nothing wrong with that: The great cathedrals of Europe were built by craftsmen — though not designed by them. Practicing your craft in expert fashion is noble, honorable, and satisfying.”
Famous Anthony Bourdain’s Quotes And Sayings
- “Today nearly everything is made in China- except for courage, it’s made in Palestine.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “I learned a long time ago that trying to micromanage the perfect vacation is always a disaster. That leads to terrible times.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “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.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “When dealing with complex transportation issues, the best thing to do is pull up with a cold beer and let somebody else figure it out.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “Eat at a local restaurant tonight. Get the cream sauce. Have a cold pint at 4 o’clock in a mostly empty bar. Go somewhere you’ve never been.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “I’ve long believed that good food, good eating, is all about risk. Whether we’re talking about unpasteurized Stilton, raw oysters or working for organized crime ‘associates,’ food, for me, has always been an adventure.” — Anthony Bourdain
- “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.” — Anthony Bourdain
More About Anthony Bourdain’s Life
Anthony Michael Bourdain was a man with many talents. From being a maverick food writer and a good cook to an adventurer who traveled over 80 countries, Bourdain was a guy who brought new cultures and cuisines into living rooms across nations.
Beyond his culinary expertise, Bourdain is celebrated for his words of wisdom that suit every appetite. His journey from humble beginnings in the kitchen to becoming a global cultural icon is an inspiration for millions of people across the world.
Bourdain was also known for his no-nonsense attitude and straightforward thoughts on life. In 2021, a film, named “Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain,” was released that followed his life and career.
In October 2022, an unauthorized biography of Bourdain was published by the name “Down and Out in Paradise: The Life of Anthony Bourdain”.
Here are the best Anthony Bourdain quotes about food, travel, life, and much more that will give you the much-needed motivation to get out of your comfort zone and achieve greatness.
How did Anthony Bourdain die?
Bourdain died of an apparent suicide by hanging, on June 8, 2018, while on location in France, filming for the 12th season of Parts Unknown. His untimely and tragic death has left a void among his fans who continue to look up to him.
Anthony Bourdain Books
Anthony Bourdain has written several books, some of them are best-sellers. His books include fiction as well as non-fiction works. List of few if his books are as follows:
Nonfiction Books
- Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
- A Cook’s Tour: In Search of the Perfect Meal
- Anthony Bourdain’s Les Halles cookbook
- No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach
- Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook
- Appetites: A Cookbook.
- World Travel: An Irreverent Guide
Fiction Books
- Bone in the Throat
- Gone Bamboo
- Bobby Gold
Fast Facts About Anthony Bourdain
Born: 25 June 1956, New York, New York, United States
Died: 8 June 2018 (age 61 years), Le Chambard, Hôtel Restaurants Spa Alsace, France
Spouse: Ottavia Busia (m. 2007–2016), Nancy Putkoski (m. 1985–2005)
Partner: Asia Argento (2016–2018)
Children: Ariane Bourdain (Daughter)
Occupations: Chef, Author, Journalist, Travel Writer, & TV host
Television show(s): A Cook’s Tour, Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, The Layover, The Taste, & Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
Awards And Honors: Emmy Award (2018)
Conclusion
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