Anthony Bourdain was not one to mince words. On his shows and in interviews, Bourdain was outspoken about his industry and his views of the world, which he was able to see much of through his travel shows. Here's a look back on some of the most inspiring, badass, and memorable quotes from the beloved chef.
1. When He Spoke Up About #MeToo and the Food Industry's Culture
"Right now, nothing else matters but women’s stories of what it’s like in the industry I have loved and celebrated for nearly 30 years — and our willingness, as human beings, citizens, men and women alike, to hear them out, fully, and in a way that other women can feel secure enough, and have faith enough that they, too, can tell their stories. We are clearly at a long overdue moment in history where everyone, good hearted or not, will HAVE to look at themselves, the part they played in the past, the things they’ve seen, ignored, accepted as normal, or simply missed — and consider what side of history they want to be on in the future." – Medium
2. When He Perfectly Summed Up The Importance of Travel
“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. Walk in someone else's shoes or at least eat their food. It's a plus for everybody."
3. ... And the Change It Can Have On 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. Most of the time, those marks — on your body or on your heart — are beautiful. Often, though, they hurt."
4. When He Taught Us All To F*ck Being Sensible
"Might it follow then that we shouldn’t aspire to live always by sensible choices? That what is good for us in the short term is not always the 'best' way? To live always by what's right now in front of our faces and the imperatives of keeping things running smoothly for me and mine, good business, no problems — that’s the kind of shopkeeper mentality that got the world into a whole lot of shit back in the day. So, maybe, just maybe, fuck sensible." – Medium
5. When He Made The Best Case For Trying Something New
"Your body is not a temple, it's an amusement park. Enjoy the ride."
"Without experimentation, a willingness to ask questions and try new things, we shall surely become static, repetitive, moribund." – Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook
6. When He Gave Solid Advice On Fitting In While Abroad
"I’d say, just be open. Don’t be afraid. If it’s appropriate to drink alcohol, drink heavily. Be smart, but be open to the world." – Bon Appetit
7. When He Wrote Openly About Regrets
"[When I die], I will decidedly not be regretting missed opportunities for a good time. My regrets will be more along the lines of a sad list of people hurt, people let down, assets wasted, and advantages squandered." – Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
8. When He Talked About His Place in the World
"It seems that the more places I see and experience, the bigger I realize the world to be. The more I become aware of, the more I realize how relatively little I know of it, how many places I have still to go, how much more there is to learn. 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."
9. When He Praised Detroiters' Resilience
"I love Detroiters. You got to have a sense of humor to live in a city so relentlessly f***ed. You've got to be tough and occasionally even devious. Detroiters are funny, tough, and supreme improvisers. They are also among the best and most fun drinkers in the country." – Tumblr
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