The sometimes – OK, frequently – caustic travel and food writer Anthony Bourdain has outdone himself in a raw, and lengthy, new Playboy interview.
Never shy, and always outspoken, Bourdain – a former chef himself – has seen much success with his books and a highly successful show on the Travel Channel. He is sardonic in his wit and at times thermonuclear in his opinions – of which he has many. While those may not always be charming qualities, Bourdain is an original and always entertaining.
In the wide-ranging Play Boy interview, Bourdain covers many topics – some familiar and some not so much. He waxes on politics, food, international travel and even – perhaps not surprisingly – rips on a few of his fellow chefs. But Bourdain also openly discusses fatherhood, drug addiction and love.
Here are a few of the more entertaining highlights:
- On eating testicles: “Sheep testicles are good, though I don’t like beef testicles that much.”
- On men cooking: “Learn how to cook a f***ing omelet. I mean, what nicer thing can you do for somebody than make them breakfast? You look good doing it, and it’s a nice thing to do for somebody you just had sex with.”
- On vegetarians: “They make for bad travelers and bad guests.”
- On vegans: “I don’t have an understanding of it. Being a vegan is a first-world phenomenon, completely self-indulgent.”
- On sending dishes back at a restaurant: “Never. I’ll still tip 20 percent and I’ll be polite, but I won’t come back.”
- On why he only smokes marijuana while traveling: “When I’m in New York, I’m a dad. I’m with my daughter, or I have to be available to her and I want to keep an active brain.”
- On other drugs: “I’ve kind of burned all my bridges there. I can’t do heroin. I like, but I can’t do it. I’m an addict and there’s no f***ing way.”
- On wine: “I’m not a wine snob. I don’t care if it’s $2 or $2,000. I’m happy.”
- On Mario Batali: “He’s a monster of rock and roll… He’s the smartest chef there is. There is no chef smarter, or funnier or faster.”
- On Wolfgang Puck: “Listen, I’m not eating in his sh***y pizza restaurants. I think it’s bullshit, and it breaks my heart to see him on QVC or whatever, but the fact is he paid his dues. He’s an important guy.
These quotes are a mere sampling – an appetizer if you will. The entire article rolls along at a steady clip and every moment of the ride is worth it. Love him or hate him – there’s little margin in between with Anthony Bourdain.
Chris Huston has always had wanderlust and a hungry belly. Maybe that’s why he feels a cosmic one-ness with Anthony Bourdain. He wanted to do careers in nursing but ended up doing another healthcare career.
