A Moment of Recognition
If you have ever had a conversation with me and Anthony Bourdain is mentioned, you know I once saw him at a Phoenix airport. I glanced up while waiting for my flight and saw Bourdain walking down the terminal alone. I almost immediately knew it was him.
I suspect he could detect that in my eyes as we exchanged glances. He gave me the short, “I know you know who I am and thank you for leaving me alone” sort of glance, and he continued on his way. It is this reason I chose the photo above, as I will forever remember Bourdain as someone always moving forward but seemingly wanting to be left alone.
Unfiltered Honesty with Unwavering Compassion
I respected Bourdain because very few people in life have the ability to courageously speak their mind while remaining open-minded. Society is enamored with the unfiltered “what will they say next” personality until they say something over the line. Bourdain seemed to always understand that line and gave us just the right dose of reality when unpacking lessons learned during his world travels.
Christina spent some time in Nicaragua and I love hearing her stories. One of the stories she told me is what she saw during her weekly travels to La Chureca where she saw some unmentionable things even Bourdain couldn’t show on television. During the segment, Bourdain seems understandably troubled by what he was seeing as well.
“He had a softer spot for kids. During a Q&A at the Prospect Park food festival Googamooga in 2012, Bourdain called on my 9-year-old daughter, who asked the best way to cook a unicorn. Not missing a beat, Bourdain smiled and shrugged: ‘Rare.'”
His Enduring Legacy
Bourdain will be missed by many, but especially me. His ability to connect with people across all walks of life, to showcase humanity in its rawest form, and to tell stories that needed to be told has left an indelible mark on how we see the world. Perhaps what made him so special was his genuine curiosity about others and his willingness to be changed by his experiences.
Bourdain’s Approach to Understanding the World:
- Break bread together — Food as the universal language that opens doors
- Listen to each other’s stories — Genuine curiosity as the foundation of respect
- Recognize our shared humanity — Finding connection across cultural divides
- Speak honestly — Truth as a form of respect for your audience
- Be willing to be changed — Approaching the world with an open mind
In a world increasingly divided, we could all learn from Bourdain’s approach: Break bread together, listen to each other’s stories, and recognize our shared humanity.