First published 2021
Anthony Bourdain died in June 2018, leaving behind millions of fans who had followed his travels and food adventures around the world. Laurie Woolever, who worked as Bourdain's longtime assistant and confidante, set out to capture his story through the voices of those who knew him best. She interviewed nearly 100 people from every corner of his life. Kitchen crews, writing partners, television collaborators, family members, and close friends all shared their memories. Celebrity chefs Eric Ripert, José Andrés, and Nigella Lawson contributed their perspectives, along with comedian W. Kamau Bell, Bourdain's brother, and his late mother. Their stories trace his journey from childhood through his teenage years, his early days working in New York kitchens, the writing of his breakthrough memoir Kitchen Confidential, and his rise as a television personality. The oral biography reveals multiple facets of Bourdain's character. It shows his motivations and ambivalence, his vulnerability alongside his blind spots, and the brilliance that made him such a compelling figure. Woolever weaves these voices together to create a complete portrait of a man who dedicated himself to exploring the world and telling other people's stories.
Genres: biography, non-fiction, 21st-century, culinary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family
442 pages · Hardcover · Ecco