He has absolutely no humility about him. He is so cocky and smooth and aloof. Usually I don't mind big egos. Frank Lloyd Wright was very full of himself, but he was a genius! He created things that no person had ever created before. He gave the world new ideas in architecture and stretched our imaginations. Sting doesn't strike me as a particularly humble fellow, but he's written some great songs. And, as Jim likes to say, "I don't have to have dinner with him." But Mr. Bad Boy Bourdain with his "been there, smoked that" attitude is off-putting. And if he's a genius chef, I'll never know. I can't taste his cooking.
I'm reading his new book, No Reservations, since on on this travel reading kick. The book is flying by. Unlike Palin's Sahara, which was equal parts photography and thoughtful journal entries, this one is 90% photos with captions and snide remarks. So why am I reading it? I don't know. For the vicarious travel mostly. And, as off-putting as he can be, there is something interesting there. At least he never sugar coats. At least he isn't afraid to give a bad review. So, even though he can get on my nerves and even kind of scares me (I had a bad dream about him last night), I'll probably go on to pick up Kitchen Confidential, which I should have knocked off my reading list long ago.
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6 comments:
He scares you? Really?
He kind of reminds me of Don...
Bourdain grills my egg for the very reasons you mentioned. Nothing impresses him. The man travels the world for a living and is just, like, sooo very bored with it all. Fine, he can give me his job. I'd be way more enthusiastic about it.
Don't know if you know this or not (the one time I dish on celebrity gossip), but Bourdain sort of has it in for Rachel Ray. Apparently her telling people it's okay to buy pre-cut veggies at the store makes him pitch a fit. I think he's frustrated because she's popular. I know I don't feel like Rachel's talking down to me when I watch her show. At least she seems excited about what she's doing.
Okay, so here's my thoughts on Anthony Bourdain. (Keep in mind I haven't seen his shows yet, and have only read 1 1/2 books).
Sure, he can come off full of himself. Yeah, he bashes people like Rachel Ray, and Emeril (though if you read the preface to Kitchen Confidential, and read A Cook's Tour, he commiserates with Emeril a bit. And apologizes to Emeril, sort of, in the preface, but the part I like is that he doesn't TAKE BACK what he said, he just adds on to previous statements.) Yeah, I think that's one major thing I like, he doesn't APOLOGIZE for his actions, he just says what he says, and does what he does, and learns (or doesn't) and moves on.
Erin--When you say things don't impress him, I don't know if you get that from the show (I haven't seen, but someone told me quote-unquote "Bourdain is a dick.") but you should read "A Cook's Tour," MANY things impress him (and often they are "simple" things). And his writing is beautiful. Rarely am I actually impressed by a writer's style, and I have to say, I am somewhat turned on by his ability to write, because it apparently comes from him effortlessly. I have no intention of reading his fiction, but still...
Also--A lot of people dislike Rachel Ray. The lucky bastard just has a public soapbox on which to spout ;)
Bourdain has written fiction?
Bourdain fiction is certainly news to me. Yancy liked Kitchen Confidential, btw.
~Lisa
The Bobby Gold Stories, Bone in the Throat...I think there's more. Yes, fiction. Someone should read it and tell me about it. Criminals and chefs and it's probably not all fiction, numsayin? ;)
Yeah, he's a bastardigan, but he sure is one I wouldn't mind hanging out with for a bit...
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