Celebrated chef Anthony Bourdain dies

Tributes have been paid to celebrated American chef, author and TV personality Anthony Bourdain, who has died at the age of 61.

Anthony Bourdain

He was found dead in his hotel room in Strasbourg, France, where he was filming for his CNN travel series Parts Unknown. The broadcaster said Bourdain took his own life.

“It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain,” the network said in a statement Friday morning, as reported by CNN. “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.”

His close friend Eric Ripert, the French executive chef at Le Bernardin in New York, found Bourdain unresponsive in his hotel room Friday morning.

Since the news broke on Friday 8 June, scores of celebrities and leaders from the restaurant industry have taken to social media to remember the author and bad boy of the culinary world.

Stunned and saddened by the loss of Anthony Bourdain. He brought the world into our homes and inspired so many people to explore cultures and cities through their food. Remember that help is a phone call away US:1-800-273-TALK UK: 116 123

— Gordon Ramsay (@GordonRamsay) June 8, 2018

Fellow celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay said he was “stunned and saddened” by Bourdain’s death, praising him for “brought the world into our homes and inspired so many people to explore cultures and cities through their food.”

“Remember that help is a phone call away.”

It’s safe to say that for better or worse I and many other cooks of my generations would not be in this industry were it not for Bourdain. I sure wish I could have shared a beer with him some day.https://t.co/Hrs7F3vXDo

— J. Kenji López-Alt (@kenjilopezalt) June 8, 2018

American chef and food writer James Kenji López-Alt also paid his respects, saying he “would not be in this industry were it not for Bourdain.

“I sure wish I could have shared a beer with him some day.”

Damn it, Tony.

Why?

I’ll always love you, pal.

Always be grateful.

Never gonna stop wondering why, though.

My heart is with you, wherever you are. Sending strength to your daughter.

Thank you, thank you – a thousand thousand thank you’s for everything.@Bourdain

— Adam Richman (@AdamRichman) June 8, 2018

Adam Richman, the host of the travel Channel series Man v Food, expressed shock at the news and wanted to offer support to Bourdain’s family, in particular his daughter Ariane.

“I’ll always love you, pal,” he said.

“My heart is with you, wherever you are. Sending strength to your daughter.

“Thank you, thank you – a thousand thousand thank you’s for everything.”

His book Kitchen Confidential ushered in a new era of young chefs into the restaurant world. I know. I was one of them. His work since then inspired millions to love the wonder and delight of real food. I am so saddened by our loss of Anthony Bourdain. He will be missed. 😔 pic.twitter.com/Sc8JAaXjd2

— Kimbal Musk (@kimbal) June 8, 2018

South African-born American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and restaurateur Kimbal Musk said it was Bourdain’s book Kitchen Confidential — published in 2000 — which introduced him to the industry in the first place.

“Kitchen Confidential ushered in a new era of young chefs into the restaurant world. I know. I was one of them.

“His work since then inspired millions to love the wonder and delight of real food. I am so saddened by our loss of Anthony Bourdain. He will be missed.”

I have to say I’m in total shock to hear that the amazing @Bourdain has just died 💔 he really broke the mould, pushed the culinary conversation, Rest in peace chef 👨‍🍳 🙏 thoughts and love to all his family and close friends xxxxxxxxxxx pic.twitter.com/HB7sV7CeRH

— Jamie Oliver (@jamieoliver) June 8, 2018

“He really broke the mould, pushed the culinary conversation,” said Jamie Oliver.

“Rest in peace chef. thoughts and love to all his family and close friends.”

Heartbroken to hear about Tony Bourdain’s death. Unbearable for his family and girlfriend. Am going off twitter for a while

— Nigella Lawson (@Nigella_Lawson) June 8, 2018

Nigella Lawson said she was “heartbroken to hear about Tony Bourdain’s death.”

“Unbearable for his family and girlfriend”

I am shocked and deeply saddened. RIP to a father, partner, chef, writer, and incredibly talented man. @Bourdain ❤ Prayers for his loved ones.

— Antoni Porowski (@antoni) June 8, 2018

Antony Porowski, the food and wine expert on Netflix’s revival of Queer Eye, also sent prayers to Bourdain’s loved ones.

“I am shocked and deeply saddened. RIP to a father, partner, chef, writer, and incredibly talented man.”

I ate with Bourdain. Probably 2004. He was big even then but he took time to sit with me in Chinatown to talk “weird” food for a magazine piece I was writing. He taught me that our “weird” is the world’s delicious. We ate chicken feet. The afternoon vibrated with life. RIP

— John Hodgman (@hodgman) June 8, 2018

Travel writer John Hogman recalled a lunch meeting with the TV personality in 2004 which has stuck with him as an afternoon that “vibrated with life”

“I ate with Bourdain. Probably 2004. He was big even then but he took time to sit with me in Chinatown to talk “weird” food for a magazine piece I was writing.

“He taught me that our “weird” is the world’s delicious. We ate chicken feet. The afternoon vibrated with life. RIP.”

Absolutely stunned. @Bourdain you motherfucker. You giant. You friend. You writer. You most loyal to all around you. God, I’m so sad. Oh, this world. We’ve lost a hero.

— Michael Ruhlman (@ruhlman) June 8, 2018

Author Michael Ruhlman said the world has “lost a hero.”

“Absolutely stunned.”

“You motherfucker. You giant. You friend. You writer. You most loyal to all around you. God, I’m so sad. Oh, this world. We’ve lost a hero.”