Even though June 8th started off quite regularly for almost everyone on the planet, it finished as quite a heartbreak. One of the biggest influences of our time, especially when it comes to travel and food, Anthony Bourdain died. And with him, so many great ideas and experiences that will never see the light of day. Anthony was not only a celebrity cook – he was a leader, an icon, a celebrity, a diva, a motivational speaker. He was everything while actually not being anything of the above mentioned; and that’s why he’s important. However, we have to be quite satisfied that he left this world while giving something back – his lessons that we’ll never forget and we’ll cherish them and keep them close to our hearts forever.
Eat whatever you want
If there’s anything that Anthony’s ultra-popular TV show Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (which will, allegedly, return to the Travel Channel) taught us, it is that we are supposed to eat whatever the hell we want. One of his most famous quotes says “Your body is not a temple; it’s an amusement park. Enjoy the ride.” And when you think about it, he couldn’t have been more right.
Negatives are also important for the context
It doesn’t matter where you’re travelling to, never run away from the negatives, as that is what makes a place unique. Anthony never ran away from the Dracula tourism in Romania or spending an eternity in a cave in Jamaica – he wanted to experience the negatives of a place. They are definitely an important part of each story. And to put it in his own words, any travel agent or agency, or a blogger who tries to spice up everything should definitely quit his job and try to apply for a job at Hallmark instead.
Don’t think about what people expect
It’s a well-hidden fact that Anthony’s book Kitchen Confidential really set the world on fire. If you didn’t know that, you’re probably weird and are not a fan of good food, travel and humour. Be as it may, yes – his book was and still is a bestseller, and one that we really needed. By releasing his memoir, he showed us that we don’t ever have to care about the opinion of others. “The absolute certainty that nobody was going to care about, read or buy ‘Kitchen Confidential’ was what allowed me to write it. I didn’t have to think about what people expected. I didn’t care. As a result, I was able to write the book, quickly and without tormenting myself.”
Be respectful to other cultures
Another thing that Mr Bourdain taught us indirectly is to be respectful towards all the other cultures. During his work on No Reservations, he showed us that every individual can learn certain words of a specific language and customs and to respect them indubitably. This means that you always have to pay attention to the other side, and respect their own rules and sometimes, mistakes.
Push yourself to the max
If Anthony hadn’t wanted more of his career than being merely a cook, none of us would have heard of him. But we have, and now here we are, lamenting his death – and why? Because he pushed himself, and he wanted to become greater and better. And that is what we all should strive for – being better and more successful versions of ourselves.
Skip the airplane meals
Even though this might sound weird, one of his best lessons that all of us will actually notice and maybe practice is not to eat the airplane food (if you really needed Anthony to tell you this though, then you’re probably not a culinary fan). As he says it, no one ever felt better after eating airplane food, and people who do this are probably bored on the plane. And when you actually think about it – he’s right. Have you ever had a meal on an airplane and were satisfied with it?
So no, Anthony was not just a cook. He was not just a TV personality. He was a businessman, a mentor, a life coach, and above all, a good person. Even though he was rude at times, cold, and yes, he even came off as an utterly self-centred man, he was a good human being. And if you don’t agree that he was good, you have to agree on one thing – he was a smart man. Rest in peace, sir.
