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A Case of the Labor Day Lazies |
Labor Day weekend got a hold of my lazy side and found me plopped in front of the TV for more hours than I’d like to disclose. Yet mindless television this was not (or so I’ve convinced myself). The Travel Channel showed a MARATHON of Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations. Needless to say,
I ran the extra mile.
What is it about this guy that ropes me in? I’ve been a huge fan since he entered celebrity-chefdom. I’ve read his books, been to his restaurant and watched his show back when it was still on the Food Network. I just can’t get enough Tony!
It could be that I still remember the days when Julia Child and Jacques Pépin ruled the television-cooking world. Not to deny the absolute genius of these two chefs, but I think it’s fair to say their shows were a bit dry for a five-year-old. I used to beg my mother to change the channel when lists of ingredients began to crowd the screen in bold white type. But my mother always won, as mothers always do.
The dawn of the Food Network brought a certain dazzle to cooking shows that had been missing in years past. Emeril proved that audiences wanted personality and excitement. But even with the rise of the “BAM” effect, I sensed a void that needed to be filled.
Enter Anthony. Irreverent, outspoken and driven by a drug-riddled past, the man is an honest representation of the restaurant industry. And in a world where television is anything but honest, I became an instant fan.
No Reservations is an award winning food program because of Bourdain’s ability to delve into the annals of any culture and show us the real people, the real traditions and the real cuisine. And he does it all with a wicked sense of humor. He’s a legitimate food/travel lover that we can trust to give an honest review. If he’s eating duck skin, by god, I want to eat it too. If he’s he spits out a bite from a four star restaurant, you better believe it’s that bad. If he tells you that such and such sushi bar is the best in town, he’s telling the truth. No lies, no cover ups, no fake smiles exude from this guy. Others may have paved the way, but Anthony Bourdain has revolutionized the way we look at food.
Anothony Bourdain's Website
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