The death of writer, chef and host, Anthony Bourdain, on Friday has hit many people hard. Known for his quick, honest remarks and adventures in global cuisine, he helped change perceptions about local foods.
Author of the book “Kitchen Confidential” and host of CNN’s “Parts Unknown,” Bourdain was known for having an open mind when traveling, willing to eat everything from a still-beating cobra heart to a bowl of noodles. He wasn’t going for the “wow” factor; the chef was just eager to try new things and experience local fare.
Appearing on KQED’s Forum in 2002, Bourdain had some zingers, meditative moments and even fielded a call about animal rights. You can listen to the full interview here.
On eating adventurously while traveling: “I think hopefully people who travel come back with an enriched understanding of the world and their place in it, and how big and marvelous the world can be. I hope on balance that it’s better to travel with an open mind and see the world than to stay at home and eat nothing but shrink-wrapped boneless stuff.”
On perceptions of American cuisine: “The rest of the world have a dimly-perceived view of us as eating nothing but fast-food hamburgers diving into swimming pools full of ketchup.”
On the food scene in San Francisco: “I think that’s one of the things that’s traditionally been good about San Francisco and the Bay Area. It was really one of the first places in America to get into that regional, artisanal heirloom thing. This is taken for granted in much of the rest of the world.”