Anthony Bourdain, Travel Legend, Is Dead at 61

Since news broke of Bourdain’s death, there has been an outpouring of stunned reactions from friends, colleagues, and fans on social media.

Humorist and author John Hodgman recalled eating with Bourdain 14 years ago.

Fellow chef Gordon Ramsay was similarly shocked and saddened.

His colleagues at CNN have been particularly effusive about both their friendship and professional relationship with Bourdain.

His path to stardom began in 2000 with his best-selling book, “Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly”. Following the book’s success, he hosted “A Cook’s Tour” on the Food Network, then “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” on the Travel Channel. A massive hit, the latter show earned two Emmys, and paved the way for Bourdain’s 2013 partnership with CNN and “Parts Unknown”.

Bourdain was best known for being a master in the kitchen, as well as in front of the camera. He strove to explore the human condition through his work and gave audiences a more global perspective on food and travel. He was also known for being an advocate for marginalized populations and campaigning for safer working conditions in restaurants.

When it comes to accolades, it would be difficult to find an industry award he didn’t win. With his 2013 Peabody Award win, judges praised Bourdain for “expanding our palates and horizons in equal measure. People open up to him and, in doing so, often reveal more about their hometowns or homelands than a traditional reporter could hope to document.”

In describing his approach to his TV show, Bourdain said,

“We ask very simple questions: What makes you happy? What do you eat? What do you like to cook? And everywhere in the world we go and ask these very simple questions, we tend to get some really astonishing answers.”

The Smithsonian’s superlatives might be the truest to Bourdain’s character, once calling him “the original rock star” of the culinary world and “the Elvis of bad boy chefs.”

Bourdain’s suicide is only the latest in a tragic trend. According to a survey published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates in the US have increased by 25 percent in the last two decades.

If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t hesitate to get help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or go visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com for a list of resources.

This story is developing.

H/T: CNN