Hi Alicia, thank you for this essay. I've observed Bourdain's influence a lot in global culinary tourism. Many food tour companies now seem to emulate his approach, offering experiences that are less scripted and more dynamic. These tours often emphasize organic interactions and meals shared with locals, Bourdain style. While this trend towards more authentic experiences is positive, I sometimes wonder if it's also perpetuating a Western-centric view of the world.
As an Arab living in the Arab world, I find the reverence for Bourdain...overrated. To me, Ibn Battuta, Imam Ghazali, and Ibn Khaldun were the original travel and culinary anthropologists, delving deep into people, culture, and politics. I think it's time to look beyond Bourdain and explore other examples of cultural exploration through food. No doubt, we acknowledge his contributions but also recognize the history of travel and cultural exchange that existed long before him. Not sure if you have any thoughts on how we can broaden the narrative of food travel to be more inclusive and historically aware?
I certainly think it’s been long time to look beyond Bourdain. This was an assignment I was given for a US magazine with a general audience, thus its scope. I also as a non-academic American have limitations in my scope.
But essentially this is what I wanted to say: He had a specific role to play for a specific viewer, and he played that role to the extent that he was able—“food studies 101.”
Now in our fractured social media landscape, there’s possibility for many people to share their perspectives—from anywhere, with any focus, such as history. So I think the way to see the shift you want to see is create it and support it where you find it.
Fantastic essay! I relate to the “girls don’t need a boyfriend they just miss Anthony Bourdain” meme a and miss him at times but I love how you drew this connection to journalists like Motaz and how technology has opened up our world to allow everyone to share their experiences directly with us.
Great essay. I always enjoyed Bourdain’s work — both Parts Unknown and Kitchen Confidential. He was an excellent writer and communicator. He had of way of connecting people at a deeper level using food culture as his conduit—that was his gift. It saddened me the way his life ended. Ironic how such a deep communicator was so alone.
I have been thinking about this piece all day... hard to know what to say about it... I love bourdain and I love your voice. I respect you so much, I guess I just I feel very lucky to get to read your perspective on his work.
Glad you enjoyed it! I think it’s interesting to step back, especially if you’re ensconced in academic food studies or anthropology, and see his influence from the outside. It’s actually quite astonishing.
Outstanding essay, thank you for sharing it (the food magazine that passed on it, big mistake). You gave me so much to think about. As always, your writing is excellent. You put Bourdain's work -- which I have been a fan of since Kitchen Confidential -- through some interesting lenses. Technology, gender, class, code-switching, privilege, place in time. I appreciated the analysis. It was still on my brain when I came across a post from a travel show account I did not know while scrolling my fyp on social media: "We're the only women-first food & travel show. Just like Bourdain, if he had been a woman." I couldn't help but chuckle. More Bourdain thinking! I appreciate the perspectives and I still miss him. Oh, and in case you are curious: https://substack.com/home/post/p-144779488
Thank you so much! I have so much more to say—I did write this assignment while totally burnt out, and frankly revisiting it has opened up more questions for me about various ways it could’ve gone and that perhaps I’ll go in the future!
So good, another one I want to pass on to the food studies department at oberlin (and now I’m daydreaming a food media/representstiom mashup course there….)
Thank you for sharing this article. It’s such a convergence of topics that fascinate me. I love the way your mind works and am grateful for your writing.
I’m not seeing any coverage of this show beyond its announcement—speaks to a pretty depressing state of affairs re: streaming. Drowning in content without proper publicity or curation.
I don’t know who killed this terrific essay before publish but they are very dumb and I am delighted I got to read it here. Thank you, Alicia ❤️🔥
Thank you so much!!!
Hi Alicia, thank you for this essay. I've observed Bourdain's influence a lot in global culinary tourism. Many food tour companies now seem to emulate his approach, offering experiences that are less scripted and more dynamic. These tours often emphasize organic interactions and meals shared with locals, Bourdain style. While this trend towards more authentic experiences is positive, I sometimes wonder if it's also perpetuating a Western-centric view of the world.
As an Arab living in the Arab world, I find the reverence for Bourdain...overrated. To me, Ibn Battuta, Imam Ghazali, and Ibn Khaldun were the original travel and culinary anthropologists, delving deep into people, culture, and politics. I think it's time to look beyond Bourdain and explore other examples of cultural exploration through food. No doubt, we acknowledge his contributions but also recognize the history of travel and cultural exchange that existed long before him. Not sure if you have any thoughts on how we can broaden the narrative of food travel to be more inclusive and historically aware?
I certainly think it’s been long time to look beyond Bourdain. This was an assignment I was given for a US magazine with a general audience, thus its scope. I also as a non-academic American have limitations in my scope.
But essentially this is what I wanted to say: He had a specific role to play for a specific viewer, and he played that role to the extent that he was able—“food studies 101.”
Now in our fractured social media landscape, there’s possibility for many people to share their perspectives—from anywhere, with any focus, such as history. So I think the way to see the shift you want to see is create it and support it where you find it.
I hope so. Thanks Alicia.
Looking forward to reading you!!!
Fantastic essay! I relate to the “girls don’t need a boyfriend they just miss Anthony Bourdain” meme a and miss him at times but I love how you drew this connection to journalists like Motaz and how technology has opened up our world to allow everyone to share their experiences directly with us.
I miss him too and interviewing him once will always be a life highlight—but he was the product of such a specific life and moment!
Great essay. I always enjoyed Bourdain’s work — both Parts Unknown and Kitchen Confidential. He was an excellent writer and communicator. He had of way of connecting people at a deeper level using food culture as his conduit—that was his gift. It saddened me the way his life ended. Ironic how such a deep communicator was so alone.
I have been thinking about this piece all day... hard to know what to say about it... I love bourdain and I love your voice. I respect you so much, I guess I just I feel very lucky to get to read your perspective on his work.
This means a lot—thank you. I love him too! He’s one of a kind, totally irreplaceable.
Thank you for this thoughtful essay. It helps me see Bourdain and food TV from a different perspective.
Glad you enjoyed it! I think it’s interesting to step back, especially if you’re ensconced in academic food studies or anthropology, and see his influence from the outside. It’s actually quite astonishing.
Outstanding essay, thank you for sharing it (the food magazine that passed on it, big mistake). You gave me so much to think about. As always, your writing is excellent. You put Bourdain's work -- which I have been a fan of since Kitchen Confidential -- through some interesting lenses. Technology, gender, class, code-switching, privilege, place in time. I appreciated the analysis. It was still on my brain when I came across a post from a travel show account I did not know while scrolling my fyp on social media: "We're the only women-first food & travel show. Just like Bourdain, if he had been a woman." I couldn't help but chuckle. More Bourdain thinking! I appreciate the perspectives and I still miss him. Oh, and in case you are curious: https://substack.com/home/post/p-144779488
Thank you so much! I have so much more to say—I did write this assignment while totally burnt out, and frankly revisiting it has opened up more questions for me about various ways it could’ve gone and that perhaps I’ll go in the future!
Dynamite article!
Thank you!
So good, another one I want to pass on to the food studies department at oberlin (and now I’m daydreaming a food media/representstiom mashup course there….)
Thank you!!! That means a lot, always. I wanna put on a disguise and take some classes 😂
Thank you for sharing this article. It’s such a convergence of topics that fascinate me. I love the way your mind works and am grateful for your writing.
Thank you so much for reading!
have you seen Caroline Randall Williams work Hungry for Answers?
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21029718/
I’m not seeing any coverage of this show beyond its announcement—speaks to a pretty depressing state of affairs re: streaming. Drowning in content without proper publicity or curation.
yah i don’t think there was enough even locally
I will check it out now. Did you like it?
Not at all. This somehow totally missed my radar. Thanks for sharing.