Anthony Bourdain A Cooks Tour Season 1 Episode 20: My Life as a Cook

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The #1 food writer and television presenter in the world, and star of Travel Channel and CNN, Anthony Bourdain reinvented the food travel genre. In his groundbreaking first television series, Bourdain travels around the world indulging his taste for local cuisine and eccentric characters. You never know what he'll say, who he will meet, or what they will have for dinner.
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[@zekelucente9702]

In high school I started working in a seafood restaurant as a busboy and then at a nice dinner house. One Sunday I filled in for a cook that didn’t show for Sunday brunch. At 17 I was cooking the broiler and expediting and I loved the energy and pressure. When it went right it was exhilarating and when you were in the weeds it could be miserable. I cooked eggs for brunch which was virtually every dish including fried, poached and omelets. One Mother’s Day we did nearly 1,000 covers.

[@geridinewhite869]

❤ ! Been there done that ! Still going at 65 !!! Thank you Jesus !!! ❤

[@zekelucente9702]

@@geridinewhite869 Amen! Sometimes I wish I had stuck with it. Good luck you clearly still enjoy which is great.

[@dannyedwards592]

800+ here. Still love eating them

[@ostkuk1]

This is so warming and heartbreaking at the same time. Tony worked across the street at Les Halles when i was the chef at Park Bistro before Phillip took over. Every lunch break i would go across the street to chat with him while he smoked. He was the most genuine person as you see here.....

[@starlessmystery6429]

I’m watching this for the first time. I’m hoping he will say why he became a chef

[@bayareaartist999]

@@starlessmystery6429 read kitchen confidential, he became a chef because he was good at organization and he was all about the party lifestyle that supported his cocaine and then heroin addiction. He went to Vassar.

[@dropkickmurphy4114]

@@bayareaartist999 He went to Vassar for a year or less, following a girl from his hometown. He dropped out cause he was more into partying than studying. Became a cook for the same reason. CSA was because he wanted to be able to keep living the lifestyle and not have to be a dishwasher the rest of his life. He was not that organized before he'd been mentored by a chef in NYC or New England.

[@bayareaartist999]

@@dropkickmurphy4114 He got into the college, that says more than graduating from it. I have 35 years in the industry and I have had my fill of the heroin/drug/alcohol addict characters. And I don't care how charming a person IS, I'm over the toxic work environment.

[@Birdyflu03]

Hey consider yourself lucky. Tony finished all he needed to do on this earth. He’s in a better place now

[@lindseyfrancesco4]

First watched this episode 8 years ago when my life fell apart and I was barely getting by washing dishes at a local Italian restaurant. Now I'm a cook at one of the best restaurants in my city. Can't thank Bourdain enough for the inspiration, may he rest in peace.

[@GoTraveler]

Thanks for sharing! Congrats on becoming a chef.

[@June-tb4vi]

That is so wonderful to hear...❤

[@Blixx_tv]

“Travel changes you. 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

[@PPCSI133]

Beautifully said. Tony was a great writer

[@TheSpectacledSteve]

I like how he rants about a customer that requests no butter 🤣🤣🤣

[@corys5855]

The "mods" bring out the best and worst in me as a cook. On one hand, I get to break out of the mold and really tailor something to an individual, on the other, I'm slowing service to the entire restaurant to pander to some entitled prick. I once had a customer who wanted to mix his own salad dressing tatableside. I had to run to the prep area to portion bullets of worcester and vinegar etc. in the middle of dinner rush because the FOH manager didn't have the balls to tell the guy "No."

[@TheSpectacledSteve]

@@corys5855 why do you call them mods?

[@corys5855]

@@TheSpectacledSteve Short for "modifications"

[@BGRUBBIN]

That person was probably thinking i could be healthy by asking for no butter, however the sauce that comes with their dish is made of clarified butter and egg yolks. In a busy in restaurant like that, they probably make like 5L of it, which is at least 2 to 3lbs of butter.

[@markiangooley]

That customer should have been born a cow instead, it’s so tempting to think… probably with poor AB’s job I would have been suicidal too

[@bradleylovej]

Most of Tony's episodes are great, but this one is a masterpiece. The psychology and culture behind being a chef is so interesting, so rock and roll, and I had no idea before I saw the late, great Tony Bourdain. Thanks, bub

[@meltedsandwich6716]

It’s a tough world to live in but it’s addictive the sounds the smells the feeling of a hot meal being made is a atmosphere most chefs can’t turn away from but the industry is riddled with substance abuse because it’s tough you work hard and late don’t get breaks durning rush hrs and are yelled at by irrational customers who believe they know best it’s a world for few people but those who last always end up genuine because in a close quarters environment bluntness is sometimes necessary. Wherever tony is I hope he’s got a good drink

[@batchagaloopytv5816]

ok dub

[@arnoldpangilinan5627]

Everything in Tony Bourdain is genuine. Thats what makes him a person impossible not to love. RIP.

[@barbieslotqueenlover5785]

what actually happened do you think ?? Seems so crazy....

[@jaredbitz]

What a perfect companion to Kitchen Confidential. Bourdain was such an authentic person on camera and in writing - he wasn't afraid to show the good, the bad, and the ugly of himself exactly as he was, and people rightly loved him for it.

[@Wil_Dasovich]

So cool to have some of these visuals from Kitchen Confidential

[@rhysm.5915]

I was amazed when I realized the guy he was talking to at Ciro's and Sal's was the giant "8ft, 360 lbs, carved from a block of obsidian" grill man from the book. 😂 Bourdain made the grill man seem so scary when telling the story of how he humiliated himself, but he was so nice and warm here.

[@benjaminasack4518]

Thought the same thing

[@rayneman6549]

@@rhysm.5915 He did say in the book's Afterword that he realized Tyrone was not as huge and scary as he remembered lmao, but it's so wholesome to see how much of a good relationship they've had since those days.

[@brandonbrosowski2032]

Anthony” I’m committing a felony don’t look “Bourdain

[@leekshikapinnamneni4835]

When I found out that Bourdain passed not too long ago. I felt like I lost a friend. He’s the man I’ve always wanted to meet.

[@jerryyang3516]

Felt the same

[@iamfilipinas]

@@salmonsandwich3183 it’s been two years.

[@blackkkabllakkcaa]

@@salmonsandwich3183 oh hell no

[@antoinearchambault7084]

@@salmonsandwich3183 absolutely not

[@Slayerx2010]

@@salmonsandwich3183 your out your mind bro tony is the GOAT he basically created the platform that zimmern works with now. I guarantee zim looks up to bourdain as a pioneer.

[@amanpathan9730]

It’s just literally awesome storytelling. The experiences he had. It’s so true that he was the one who defined food travel genre

[@veryskeptical2409]

" Many of us have messy, dysfunctional,chaotic lives outside the kitchen: but inside the kitchen we have the only structure in our lives" Antony Bourdain 2 minutes in. a rare glimpse into his personal live before he became a victim of suicide.

[@laheysdog1093]

I don’t think he would like being called a victim

[@lauravonutassy1919]

@@laheysdog1093 I very much agree 👍 💯 with you !!!

[@DeeEfSea]

He was murdered

[@fellspoint9364]

He stepped off at a time and place of his choosing. I have a grim admiration for the man. Not everyone has the same expiration date.

[@June-tb4vi]

But why? I know we can't get in his head...but so much ahead so why?

[@Fatmanstan606]

Over 20 years later he’s still the coolest mf I’ve ever watched, god damn what a loss 😢 RIP king 👑

[@cyanginpedro]

So awesome to find these old episodes on KZbin... thank you!

[@GoTraveler]

Glad you like them!

[@lauravonutassy1919]

He looks younger than he did on No Reservations. RIP, Anthony. You did it right.

[@Buntey-pu2bu]

Nelly McFarlane

[@Buntey-pu2bu]

Nelly McFarlane

[@jleach4278]

RIP Mr Bourdain Gone but we we never forget..xxx

[@TheIdahogrl]

Really, really miss this man. Legendary story teller, no bullshit, see life and cultures and their food as they are, in an honest, humble, almost reverent way.

[@rolandbullock6444]

Crazy how he is so introspective, especially knowing how his life ended! A very brilliant but troubled soul....like Robin Williams or Kate Spade and countless others

[@sstills951]

I still can't believe the guy committed suicide. I guess I'll never understand it but Tony had a job and life that most of us dream about.

[@sstills951]

@@salmonsandwich3183 come on dude you knew that

[@srkh8966]

@@sstills951 He suffered from crippling, painful depression.

[@allisonmarlow184]

Roland, we can now add Naomi Judd to that sad list.

[@victoriaredsky3859]

It was those horrible anti depression pharms he was taking...Excacerbates a minute case of blues into Wrist slashing vertically with a popcicle stick. So went L'Wren, Mick's designer girlfriend. ..

[@joeblow2069]

Tony's book "Kitchen confidential" is one of the best non fiction books of the 20th century.

[@samanthony8121]

Once a line cook always a line cook. And Bourdain is the spokesman for cooks everywhere.

[@Shabla7]

It never leaves you.

[@Finallybianca]

First time I met Anthony I was a line cook in the Old Market in Omaha, he was walking down the Alley between service meeting chilling with us, we smoked a joint and I swear he was itching to get in our kitchen. Met him about 12 years later I had started my transition by then and it was like old times he just used my new name and pronouns. Pure class.

[@RemnantCult]

That is so cool that he did that! He seems like a wonderful guy.

[@el_chino778]

Really nice to see him in his element from Kitchen Confidential

[@scottduyser1222]

He is the one that got me excited to cook. R.I.P T.

[@jeffkramer9511]

I wish I had met Mr. Bourdain before he passed away. I've read all of his books, and still can't put down 'Kitchen Confidential' to this day. Great personality and a great chef. I could of hung out and partied with him. RIP. 😑

[@UnauthorizedCreations]

He always gave a realistic view of the hospitality industry

[@kentmalone8539]

Makes you realize life on this Earth is so precious....from barly hanging on....to living the dream, and everything in between....I hope he's found his peace 🙏. He made a huge difference in the world. Rest easy....you are missed by millions 💛

[@underthetornado]

None of these other movie shorts even come close to Bourdains charismatic talents in leading us all down that curious dark alley into curiosity of life....he took us there hand in hand and then satisfied our human needs of fulfillment. The crumbs of food leading us into ecstasy of tastes and curiousity whether it be food, sex, or darkness of unknowing..... the smells of burning fries or crispy chicken skins. Erotic soups made from curry and peppers and sweat. A thunderstorm evolving into a rainbow of perfection, a scent of fine whiskey, tobacco and the wisp of some perfect cooked meal....upstairs..just out of reach. Just as Tony slipped away from us into his next lifes adventure....RIP Anthony you mirepoix you...pah!

[@bradygasm69]

I've spent the last 9 years getting to where I'm at as a bartender and it's so fun to see him talk about the same things that have kept me in the industry for so long.

[@ricedreem]

This is seminal episode, Tony explaining his life before he got famous. Amazing find

[@TheLilrod69]

I miss this guy. In the lineup of people that i have real grief about being gone, who I've never met, hes up there with john lennon and kurt cobain.

[@bradleylovej]

I still miss Kuuuuuurt

[@preston74]

"Better to burn out than to fade away"

[@pamgraham3817]

You are so missed ! Love you xo Fly high with all our angels xo

[@pamgraham3817]

My step daughter died by suicide...xo

[@nathanieldeclarador1466]

I need to and hear and see Tony every other week, every other day.

[@davidstraub593]

He lived an amazing life.

[@RataStuey]

I wish you’d stuck around Anthony. But it was your life at the end of the day. And it’s beautiful to see this episode. Great little glimpse into that world.

[@acoustic5738]

20 years later these students cant tell how lucky they were, at the moment they didnt even know who he was.

[@chuck_nazty]

His way with words was the sign of a genius

[@ppgedez]

“Shouldn’t you be doing something” ❤ loved hearing that for the first time in ages ❤ 2024.

[@frank4245]

Wow! Oh boy I sure miss this one! What a beautiful show! As famous as he is, He still call himself a cook, not Chef. What a Honorable man.

[@markanthony2274]

I'm trying my best to not be negative. St Anthony we all love you!!!!!

[@user-zl6uz6lc8c]

A saint? I think not!

[@subgirl3739]

NY looks so much grittier than it does now.

[@RetiredWorkingForYou]

he's the best. the great Anthony Bourdain inspired to travel, enjoy life more, and most recently....start a KZbin channel. Wish he were still here making cool stuff!

[@moonstonesamui7140]

cool, i like your channel.

[@gbalao8885]

As a film student, Bourdain is one of my inspirations. He’s not just an awesome chef but also one of the best documentary makers out there.

[@RetiredWorkingForYou]

@@gbalao8885 yeah his docs were the best.

[@ADVENTURESOFBZ]

I miss Tony so much. I miss that voice and that sarcasm🫤

[@jaimemurcia1486]

The way I’ve lived my life, I am on bonus round now.!! Wow!!

[@Zenmyster]

I read Kitchen Confidential recently. Now, I actually have a back of head to go with the name "Bigfoot".

[@november.rain1993]

Mr. Bourdain was such a beautiful soul. He suffered long enough. It would be selfish to wish he was still here on this earth when he clearly didn’t want to be. I hope you finally found peace. You are loved by so many! ✨🌟✨

[@stormwatch7245]

I agree, and i think he actually means it at the beginning of his shows, he says he has nothing to lose 😞

[@november.rain1993]

@@stormwatch7245 you just brought that to my attention! I always remember the intro & him saying that.. but now I get it.. he seems to have always struggled with a dark force. & I can relate to that.

[@zmibanana7914]

Beautiful soul and may you rest in peace. We love watching your shows and please come back as an Asian.

[@NormGagnon]

I started to cook in the mid 70's myself at a restaurant called Uncle John's Family Restaurant in Rockville, MD. At the end of the shift, the manager would go in the back to smoke pot utilizing a teapot and foil with holes, as a few would grab a bottle of wine and carrot cake from the fridge and walk out the rear door.

[@theirine17]

Not saying that this series was best... but definitely my favorite

[@danielburgess7785]

I worked on the same block as Les Halles in DC. Once a month, prices and finances permitting, I'd take lunch there. It's one of the bright lines in my life pre and post 09/11/2001. Yes the year is important.

[@randylayhee2427]

we miss you Tony!

[@charlielamb4606]

I miss him. One of a kind. I hope he found peace.

[@Deimus333]

It is surreal to watch: "Kitchen Confidential," come to life. We have the infamous "Bigfoot," and the legendary: Scott Bryan... in the same episode.

[@sylviamorado6209]

This has such a cool, early 2000s feel I didnt realize I was nostalgic for. Has a very late night, HBO taxicab confessions feel lmao minus the sex 🤣 The intro is sooo late 90s, early 200s.

[@Kamikase020]

thanks for uploading this

[@kaceecruson9532]

After reading Kitchen Confidential like 10 times this video is amazing!!

[@randalltaylor3700]

Love love love this!

[@glenshiotsugu6597]

A good human being that opened the world to the small-minded, hopefully? I will always miss him!!!

[@Olliarts88]

I lost my dad suddenly 6 months ago, looking at this footage its like looking at old footage of my dad

[@tracydanneo]

Thank you!

[@dairy1994]

I miss you bro your videos were my childhood I would get out of school and watch these

[@SergioGonzalez-kg6dp]

my favorite episode so far

[@technum1]

That era was so special to me. Obviously 9/11 ruined my perception of that time but, I still remember the recovery of those events and trying to enjoy the experience of being alive as much as possible. Early 2000’s

[@michellehall2715]

I like how he was unapologetic

[@ophelia.artaud]

The way he kicked his dope habit by diving in to the restaurant industry gives me hope that I'll find something to pour my soul into and forget about the drugs... but he still met the same end as so many other ex addicts. I don't know what it is but the lucidity and intelligence that made him so great at what he did probably also exposed some of the horrors of reality. I hope he's in a good place now.

[@trevorgreen6658]

I used to use drugs, I still do but used to too. Jokes aside, don't give up. Shoot for your dreams. Don't wait for abstinence. Learn along the way. Moderation is key. Believe in your dreams regardless. Don't degrade yourself because you do drugs. Most people do but hide it. Especially the rich. Just don't burn out and take care of yourself.

[@allmoneyin1370]

Finding genuine ppl who care about you and having their support probably helps a lot. Unfortunately he fell for that horrible lady.

[@ThisDirtyWhiteBoy]

Hope you’ve found something to pour your soul into, wether you’ve forgotten about the drugs or not. Life can be pretty empty without some sort of passion or fulfillment. Drugs don’t replace a passion, even if they make us forget it. Hope you’re in a better place now than when you made your original comment.

[@Nuttyirishman85]

He continued to use drugs while cooking. A kitchen is the last place you want to work if you’re sober or trying to become sober.

[@ma.isabelarias5839]

Bourdain.... we miss you.... you will not forgotten

[@Eszra]

I miss you Tony. Breaks my heart that one of his favorites Papaya King is gone.

[@dysay]

2:36 is a great example of the cleanliness you should expect from a kitchen, even "fancy" kitchens

[@GoTraveler]

One of our favorite quotes.

[@dysay]

@@GoTraveler you misunderstood me. I'm referring to the chef wiping his nose with his towel that he most likely continued to use after contamination. Chefs don't wash their hands nor change out their kitchen towels often.

[@GoTraveler]

@@dysay Oh, I see. Thanks for clarifying.

[@Toywins]

Miss you Tony. You helped me want to see the world, no empty platitudes here.

[@UnPureMaddness]

This video is amazing. I haven't seen him on the kitchen side of the restaurant.

[@franciscoavilespino1258]

Thank you for posting these archival shows!

[@mwashie]

What a Legend!

[@49ers1975]

good to see a look at his chef life...very good episode

[@supersawheather]

I miss him

[@pitapat1161]

Legendary man

[@The22v10]

It's hard to watch these, He was my idol in the Kitchen and viewed life and politics the same as me. I'm glad they are here to see. I was mad at him for a while. but I missed his voice too much. RIP you knucklehead.

[@lubnaqureshi2853]

When Anthony Bourdain cooked, he was in his element. Brasserie Les Halles was a psychological anchor for him.

[@dairy1994]

I had to watch these videos to keep my brain calm

[@nickk5050]

Best episode

[@peterjohn2473]

Such a great man

[@JLU55]

I wasn't a big Fan but: the Man could tell a Story and I being a cook/ chef myself would know exactly what he meant. Great Insight into a cooks life in the ( my case) the 70's.

[@annastevens4197]

Tony was so great 🙏 🤲 ❤️

[@ThePieman1972]

Very interesting story.

[@kasturiswami784]

Really enjoyed,never seen this though I must have seen Tony's many a times. The guy grows on you.

[@BeliaLastes]

I wish you hadn't taken yourself away from us Tony 😭 😭❣️

[@machstem6390]

Been in a kitchen for 16 years now. Im in my way to work now. It def takes a certain type of person. Not everyone is cut out for this industry

[@flappospammo]

So charismatic, sad loss RIP

[@johnnywhite1681]

What a cool guy!

[@1marttie]

Food is memories.

[@LotusLady9]

Love these; thank you!🌞

[@situated4]

That was really good.

[@Bodezefah]

RIP Anthony

[@mariapatriciamercadotenori6952]

SIEMPRE ME ENCANTARON LOS REPORTAJES DE ANTHONY BOURDEIN. TODOS INCREIBLES. Q.D.

[@richardyoung871]

I didn't know that ANTHONY BOURDAIN went to the c0ulinary Institute of America in 1975,I went there in 1982,after I got out of the ARMY in 1980 and I graduated in 1984 and to work at THE HELMSLEY PALACE under EXECUTIVE CHEF Andre renee

[@tonypepperoni3157]

I love p town. So glad I’m from mass

[@ModGladBlock3.0]

I miss you tony

[@Beast9894]

6:37 those guys in the corner having a beer

[@MrFluffytheTurtle]

13:58 A Paulaner Wiessbier glass, NICE!

[@johncarloesguera53]

That bernaise without butter tho!whahahahaha

[@zekelucente9702]

I’ve been using Global knives since seeing these early shows.

[@ca9968]

I had a similar lifestyle in Manchester, UK in the late 90`s...I came over from South Africa having never worked in a bar or restaurant and got a job as a barback in a very busy bar/restaurant , ended up going back to South Africa in 2001 after reaching head bartender and working with some of the best bartenders around at the time... After 3 years of back to back 14 hour shifts followed by epic drinking sessions after shift as well as plenty of illegal substance intake I was completely burned out...I still reckon that those 3 years were some of the best of my life though and I have immense respect for anyone that can survive that lifestyle for any longer than I did!