Celebrity deaths are always a strange cultural event - outpourings of tributes for those lost clog social media timelines and inevitably prompt cynical op-eds on the pointless grieving for people we never knew.
However, when celebrity chef and writer Anthony Bourdain died by suicide on June 8th 2018, the world collectively set down their knives and forks, stepped away from the table and grieved. This one was different.
A chef by trade, Bourdain honed his writing career in early mornings around kitchen shifts, eventually publishing his first memoir, Kitchen Confidential, which spawned numerous highly successful television shows.
Arguably the most successful and emblematic of these, Parts Unknown, saw the intrepid chef report from some of the most diverse cultures in the world, bridging divides with his eagerness to find commonalities and fondness for shattering stereotypes.
Memorable episodes include hosting then-President of the United States, Barack Obama in a Vietnamese hole in the wall filled with plastic chairs and bowls of soupy noodles; meeting his hero Paul Bocuse in his eponymous restaurant, Bourdain at his most breathlessly, endearingly star struck; and, of course, eating taco fries, curry chips and battered cod in a Dublin chipper, with three lads he just met in the pub.
Now, two of Bourdain's closest friends and fellow chefs - Eric Ripert and José Andrés - are inviting fans back to the table for #BourdainDay, held on the late chef's birthday, asking friends and fans alike to share their memories of the towering figure.
.@ericripert and I celebrating #BourdainDay in Singapore at @KEK chili crab paradise restaurant with beers, chili crab and friends! Post your videos celebrating #BourdainDay @RoadsKingdoms join us! People@of the World! @CNN @wkamaubell pic.twitter.com/CiPJjaCP8Q
— José Andrés (@chefjoseandres) June 24, 2019
Here are some of the best #BourdainDay posts so far, now go eat something meaty, rustic and little ugly in his name!
Choose love
Anthony Bourdain departed this earth a year ago. Today I join his friends and colleagues to remember his birthday, and celebrate his life and the grand adventures he took us on. #BourdainDay pic.twitter.com/zI7MAaPJv3
— Christiane Amanpour (@camanpour) June 25, 2019
Happy birthday, Dr Tony!
An intense life
A desire to take a bite
Heroes
Some heroes don't wear capes... we miss your wit, my friend. #bourdainday pic.twitter.com/n8qHLFy7tu
— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) June 25, 2019
Uncle Tony
When Tony loves your waffles
"It is indeed marvelous-- an irony-free zone where everything is beautiful and nothing hurts" #BourdainDay @hseanbrockhttps://t.co/f6yuGjNzX6 pic.twitter.com/zhLeLqatje
— Waffle House (@WaffleHouse) June 25, 2019
Here's to moving more
Food unites us
Say it and spray it
We've had an amazing worldwide response the our Mural at my restaurant in London completed by @ketones6000 #bourdainday pic.twitter.com/zeNqe6ei01
— Peter Lloyd (@chef_lloyd) June 25, 2019
This thread
Still can't wrap my head around the fact that Anthony Bourdain is no longer with us, but in honor of #BourdainDay, a quick thread for people who might need to hear a few things... pic.twitter.com/JLucVKVpnq
— Matthew Dow Smith (@matthewdowsmith) June 25, 2019
Common ground
I'm so grateful for a day in honor of a man I respected very deeply. He was cool and brilliant. Over the years we found common ground through humor, music and food. I miss his wit and presence. Singular man.#BOURDAINDAY 🙏🏻 @ericripert @chefjoseandres pic.twitter.com/DnhnIiI4mt
— rachael ray (@rachaelray) June 25, 2019
The butterfly effect
Cheers!
A true Legend... Anthony, my Dear friend... Happy Birthday! The world wishes you Peace & Love on your journey #BourdainDay
— Eric Ripert (@ericripert) June 24, 2019
💙🙏🏼✌🏼🕊 https://t.co/pk3QG0nqG5
