Louis Rouffaud
Irreverent, brutally honest, and serious about good food — here are the 8 best Anthony Bourdain quotes to live by.
After publishing Kitchen Confidential in 2000, Anthony Bourdain went from chef to New York Times bestseller and launching a TV career that brought him to all corners of the globe. A gifted writer and storyteller, Bourdain inspired the gonzo style coverage of underground music which has come to be a signature trait of Underground Sound.
“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.”
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From our inception, this type of first-person narrative in storytelling has been a core attribute to our coverage of the scene. Through using this style, our writers throw claims of objectivity out the window bringing their nuance and perspective to the subject matter they’re covering. Anthony used his brash and brutal New York honesty to provide an unfiltered view of his travels, eats, and life.
I want to try everything once: Anthony Bourdain quotes about food
Anthony got his start in the culinary industry at a young age, starting as a dishwasher in Provincetown, Massachusetts at 17. But even then, the seeds of his rebellious, all-in culinary philosophy were already taking root.
“But I do think the idea that basic cooking skills are a virtue, that the ability to feed yourself and a few others with proficiency should be taught to every young man and woman as a fundamental skill, should become as vital to growing up as learning to wipe one’s own ass, cross the street by oneself, or be trusted with money.”
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“Do we really want to travel in hermetically sealed popemobiles through the rural provinces of France, Mexico and the Far East, eating only in Hard Rock Cafes and McDonalds? Or do we want to eat without fear, tearing into the local stew, the humble taqueria’s mystery meat, the sincerely offered gift of a lightly grilled fish head?
I know what I want. I want it all. I want to try everything once.”
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Move as far as you can, across the ocean or simply across the river
Parts Unknown, No Reservations, and The Layover were some of Bourdain’s most successful travel shows. They inspired countless people (including myself) to take the road less traveled and see what it’s like out there. Some of my favorite episodes from the Parts Unknown series include Myanmar (S1, E1), Quebec (S1, E4), Scotland (S5, E3), Tbilisi (S7, E5), and Hanoi (S8, E1) with the iconic dinner of noodles and beer with then president Barack Obama.
Although aspects will inevitably be outdated at this point, the storytelling and imagery remains as relevant as ever.
“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.”
“I’m a big believer in winging it. I’m a big believer that you’re never going to find perfect city travel experience or the perfect meal without a constant willingness to experience a bad one.
Letting the happy accident happen is what a lot of vacation itineraries miss, I think, and I’m always trying to push people to allow those things to happen rather than stick to some rigid itinerary.”
Anthony Bourdain quotes about life: Enjoying the ride & doing the best you can
Anthony Bourdain was far from perfect and, like all of us, experienced his share of struggles, and challenges battling internal demons. Though the end of his life was tragic, it shouldn’t take away from the enlightened and crass wisdom he shared while he was here.
“Everything important I ever learnt was as a dishwasher and a cook; you show up on time, you stay organised, you clean up after yourself, you think about and respect the people you work with and you do the best you can”
“Your body is not a temple, it’s an amusement park. Enjoy the ride”
“Next to making a proper omlette or wiping your own ass, rolling a joint is an essential life skill for any self-respecting member of society”
Bonus hangover cure: Best Anthony Bourdain quotes
Anthony did his fair share of partying through the years and knew a thing or two about curing hangovers. Here’s a bonus Anthony Bourdain quote on his go-to cure after a late-night session:
“Aspirin, cold Coca-Cola, smoke a joint, eat some spicy Szechuan food — works every time.”
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