Celebrity chef Bourdain found dead in France
Chef was best known for his travel shows, telling stories about people and cultures through food
He was best known for his travel shows, where he told the stories of people and cultures from around the world through the food they ate
Anthony Bourdain, the chef who became a world-travelling storyteller, has died at age 61, according to CNN.
He died in France, while working on an episode of his CNN show, Parts Unknown. Bourdain was found unresponsive in his hotel room by a close friend, French chef Eric Ripert, yesterday morning, CNN said. The cause of his death was suicide.
In a statement, CNN said: “It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain. His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller. His talents never ceased to amaze us and we will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughter and family at this incredibly difficult time.”
Bourdain was best known for his travel shows, where he told the stories of people and cultures from around the world through the food they ate. Parts Unknown was the latest in that series. Since premiering in 2013, the programme has won five Emmy awards, and a Peabody.
While in office, former President Barack Obama dined with Bourdain in Hanoi in 2016 for an episode of the programme. They sat on plastic stools in a family-run restaurant, eating bun cha, a dish special to Hanoi.
Call to reach out
Bourdain’s suicide comes days after designer Kate Spade’s, prompting mental health and suicide prevention organisations to urge individuals to reach out.
“We’re saddened to hear of the tragic loss of Anthony Bourdain,” the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline posted on social media. “Please know you are never alone, no matter how dark or lonely things may seem. If you’re struggling, reach out: call 1-800273-TALK (8255). We’re here for you, 24/7/365.”
“What I do is not complicated,” Bourdain told the New York Times in 2005. “When you eat their food and you seem happy, people sitting around a table open up and interesting things happen.”