Remembering Tony.

Anthony Bourdain, ‘Tony’.
By Peabody Awards - This file was derived from: Anthony Bourdain and Charlie Rose 2014.jpg, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=70561510

Three years back in June, we lost Anthony Bourdain. The unforgettable, inimitable Tony. I distinctly recall the shock of the news. And in tears, calling up my friend who was also a huge fan.

It is strange to feel so much for someone so far away from your life. But that was the power of his personal brand. He made 'being real' cool. He made 'outsiders' feel included. He showed us that the subject doesn't have to be new, for the story to be refreshing. He proved that connection happens when you are curious .

In his stories, food was elevated above taste and culture. It was a thread you gently pulled to know how others live, how they think and how they got there. And because you were curious you discovered so much more.

One of the best examples is in 'Parts Unknown: Jerusalem'. when he introduced us to the all-female Palestinian car racers ‘Speed Sisters'. And one of them, an interesting pink-lipsticked leonine person, said 'Well, the car doesn't know if you are male or female'. Here was a travel-food show making an unmissable point about gender equality. THAT is curiosity and authenticity driving discovery!

In that moment, Tony quietly made his way into my heart, claimed a pocket for himself and lived there for always. Not only as one of the most remarkable storytellers of our times, but also as someone who made authenticity a priority.

[Found, with some difficulty, the full episode, if you want to watch]