Shock as celebrity chef Bourdain found dead in hotel room aged 61
American celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain has been found dead in his hotel room in France while working on his TV series about culinary traditions around the world.
Broadcaster CNN confirmed the 61-year-old’s death, saying in a statement he was found unresponsive on Friday morning by friend and fellow chef Eric Ripert.
The US network said Bourdain was in Strasbourg filming an upcoming segment in his series Parts Unknown. It is thought he took his own life.
The CNN statement said: “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.”
Chef Gordon Ramsay tweeted he was stunned and saddened. Ramsay wrote that Bourdain “brought the world into our homes and inspired so many people to explore cultures”.
Author Ian Rankin, a friend of Bourdain who appeared in his TV show, tweeted: “Bloody hell. Just found out about @ Bourdain – we had some great nights in great cities. Raconteur with a case of knives. RIP.”
Bourdain achieved celebrity status after the publication in 2000 of his best-selling book Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly.
The book created a sensation by combining frank details of his life and career with behind-the-scenes observations on the culinary industry.
He went on to achieve widespread fame thanks to his CNN series Parts Unknown and was filming an upcoming segment for the show when he was found.
Chefs, fans and US president Donald Trump were among those stunned and saddened by the news. “I want to extend to his family my heartfelt condolences,” Mr Trump said.
Bourdain was twice divorced and has a daughter from his second marriage.
Last year he began a relationship with Italian actress Asia Argento, who directed an episode in which he visited Hong Kong.
He went on to become an outspoken advocate for the #Metoo movement after Argento accused former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein of rape.
Asked why he thought his TV show had become such a success, Bourdain said: “If you think about who the audience is and what their expectations might be, I think that’s the road to badness and mediocrity.
“You go out there and show the best story you can as best you can. If it’s interesting to you, hopefully it’s interesting to others. If you don’t make television like that, it’s pandering.”