Before his untimely death, Anthony Bourdain wrote over a dozen books. He traveled all over the world enjoying amazing food and culture on his show Parts Unknown.
Anthony is no longer with us but his words will live on.
Here are 29 immortal Anthony Bourdain quotes.
“I always entertain the notion that I’m wrong, or that I’ll have to revise my opinion. Most of the time that feels good; sometimes it really hurts and is embarrassing.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“You learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“The journey is part of the experience — an expression of the seriousness of one’s intent.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“Travel is about the gorgeous feeling of teetering in the unknown.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“In too much of the West, everyone wants the guarantee of safety, and never having to make any decisions.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“Maybe that’s enlightenment enough: to know that there is no final resting place of the mind, no moment of smug clarity. Perhaps wisdom is realizing how small I am, and unwise, and how far I have yet to go.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“Skills can be taught. Character you either have or you don’t have.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“I don’t have to agree with you to like you or respect you.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“As you move through this life and this world, you change things slightly; you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life and travel leaves marks on you. Most of the time, those marks on your body or on your heart are beautiful. Often, though, they hurt.”
― Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain Books:
Kitchen Confidential Updated Edition: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
A Cook’s Tour: Global Adventures in Extreme Cuisines
Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook
Anthony Bourdain’s Hungry Ghosts
World Travel: An Irreverent Guide
“I’m not afraid to look like an idiot.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“Without experimentation, a willingness to ask questions and try new things, we shall surely become static, repetitive, and moribund.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“Good food is very often, even most often, simple food.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“Context and memory play powerful roles in all the truly great meals in one’s life.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“I’m definitely looking forward to the day when I stop working – if I ever stop working. I like the idea of keeling over in my tomato vines in Sardinia or northern Italy.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“I’m a big believer in winging it. I’m a big believer that you’re never going to find a perfect city travel experience or the perfect meal without a constant willingness to experience a bad one. Letting the happy accident happen is what a lot of vacation itineraries miss, I think, and I’m always trying to push people to allow those things to happen rather than stick to some rigid itinerary.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“Cooking is a craft, I like to think, and a good cook is a craftsman — not an artist. There’s nothing wrong with that: The great cathedrals of Europe were built by craftsmen, though not designed by them. Practicing your craft in expert fashion is noble, honorable, and satisfying.”
“Luck is not a business model.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. Walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food. It’s a plus for everybody.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“I can unload my opinion on anybody at any time.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“Context and memory play powerful roles in all the truly great meals in one’s life.”
― Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain Books:
Kitchen Confidential Updated Edition: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
A Cook’s Tour: Global Adventures in Extreme Cuisines
Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook
Anthony Bourdain’s Hungry Ghosts
World Travel: An Irreverent Guide
“People’s choice to become vegan, from people I’ve spoken to, seems motivated by fear.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“To me, life without veal stock, pork fat, sausage, organ meat, demi-glace, or even stinky cheese is a life not worth living.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s OK. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“The way you make an omelet reveals your character.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“I’m not going anywhere. I hope. It’s been an adventure. We took some casualties over the years. Things got broken. Things got lost. But I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“Without new ideas, success can become stale.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“Cream rises. Excellence does have its rewards.”
― Anthony Bourdain
“What are our expectations? Which of the things we desire are within reach? If not now, when? And will there be some left for me?”
― Anthony Bourdain
“I’m very type-A, and many things in my life are about control and domination, but eating should be a submissive experience, where you let down your guard and enjoy the ride.”
― Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain Books:
Kitchen Confidential Updated Edition: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
A Cook’s Tour: Global Adventures in Extreme Cuisines
Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook