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17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scroll.in
‘Kitchen Confidential' at 25: Anthony Bourdain revealed high-end chefs as rock-star pirates
Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly was released 25 years ago into a culinary world vastly different to today's. With his signature semi-gonzo style, all sarcasm, wit and profanity, Anthony Bourdain lifted the pot lid on the world of the professional restaurant kitchen. That world, if we were to believe Bourdain, was full of ne'er-do-well line cooks, shady produce purveyors, drug-fuelled hijinks and ego. Lots of ego. It was also full of people who loved food, who recognised, as Bourdain put it, that 'food had power'. Smash-hit show The Bear is set in a kitchen universe resembling this very world. Bourdain's book is part memoir, part journalistic tell-all. Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh has written the introduction to the anniversary edition. Food writer AA Gill once called the book 'Elizabeth David written by Quentin Tarantino'. In its pages, Bourdain unfolds the story of a contrary young man who enters the culinary world because food made him feel something. A kitchen fever dream By the time he published Kitchen Confidential, Bourdain was contentedly installed as executive chef of the Manhattan branch of Brasserie Les Halles, the culmination of years of experience in the professional kitchen. The catalyst for his love of food, we're told, was an oyster, shucked fresh from the bed by a French oyster-fisher, sampled in defiance, his horrified family looking on. In his usual economically descriptive style, Bourdain tells us that 'it tasted of seawater … of brine and flesh … and somehow … of the future'. He recounts his journey from pretentious teenager, smoking pilfered cigarettes and failing out of Vassar College, to arrogant kitchen hand thrust into learning classic techniques at the Culinary Institute of America, and finally to his substance-addled climb up the professional ladder. In between this personal narrative, Bourdain offers his readers insights and opinions: why you shouldn't order fish on a Monday, the set-up of a diligent line cook's mise-en-place (the cook's prepared ingredients and essential tools), the best knife to buy if you wanted to try this at home. Bourdain wasn't the first culinary 'bad boy' to write their memoir. Marco Pierre White's White Heat, published a decade prior, portrayed White as a chain-smoking culinary savant. However, Bourdain's book went further and deeper, and his innate storytelling skill made Kitchen Confidential stand out. Reading it, it's easy to imagine the bone-deep exhaustion, feel the exhilarating rush of service, hear the patois of the kitchen. Kitchen Confidential made the work of a professional kitchen seem like a fever dream. To Bourdain, chefs were anti-authoritarians. Rockstars. Pirates. Being a chef was cool. Of course, that patina of cool hid systemic problems: drug addictions, misogyny, racism, stress and exploitation. Dark restaurant underbelly Kitchen Confidential was certainly a response to the emergent trend of food as entertainment at the time. The Food Network started programming in 1993 and turned chefs, previously known only in the depths of the culinary world, into superstars on television sets across the world. Of course, there had been cooking shows around for a long time: Julia Child's The French Chef was first broadcast in 1963. But those programs were for housewives, lacking the commercial glamour with which the Food Network gilded their stable of chefs, including American chefs and restaurateurs Emeril Lagasse and Bobby Flay. Bourdain was hypercritical of this 'credulous' approach to food, an attitude which suffuses Kitchen Confidential. Rather than embracing what he saw as the sterility of those television chefs, he revelled in the 'dark recesses of the restaurant underbelly'. He wanted us to, as well. Bourdain set out to shock the establishment. He succeeded. Kitchen Confidential is also a reflection of the state of masculinity at the turn of the 21st century. When Bourdain describes the restaurant kitchen, it is hyper-masculine. He points out those rare women who could 'cut it' in the machismo-heavy atmosphere. He claimed he had worked 'with some really studly women line cooks'. What made them so good? They 'refused to behave any differently than her male co-workers'. In order to succeed, women had to behave like men. While Bourdain may have tempered these views in his later career, men are still the dominant gender in the professional kitchen. It is not friendly to women, as non-binary Australian chef Jess Ho pointed out in their recent kitchen memoir, which has been compared to Bourdain's. You can imagine a slew of young men would have been encouraged to try their hands at the culinary arts after reading Bourdain's macho, swashbuckling stories of life on the line. Passion, isolation, abuse Kitchen Confidential also sheds light on the overwhelming amount of mental health issues at play in the professional kitchen. He detailed his own ongoing struggles, as well as those of colleagues. He recounted the story of his friend, who fired a 'cocaine-stoked and deranged employee' who then went home and took his own life. Bourdain is chillingly cold-blooded about the story, stating 'the guy had to go', acknowledging the kitchen is a cut-throat ecosystem – only the fittest survive. The stress of the kitchen and toxic workplace culture contribute to chefs currently being more likely than the general population to die by suicide, so it seems these issues have not been addressed even 25 years later. While Bourdain may have been one-dimensionally critical of those who couldn't cut it, Kitchen Confidential also provided searing commentary about equality. He illuminated the ironic divide between the haves (those enjoying high-class meals) and the have-nots (those cooking them). He was particularly keen on showing the diligence of immigrant staff, often illegal, often 'downtrodden' and 'underpaid' by unscrupulous restaurant owners who exploited their work ethic. Bourdain felt these cooks, who 'come up through the ranks', were 'more valuable […] than some bed-wetting white boy whose mom brought him up thinking the world owed him a living'. It's clear Bourdain was critiquing himself as well. Twenty-five years ago, Bourdain's work was revolutionary. Now, we see reflections of the kitchen culture exposed in Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential everywhere. A forum on Reddit for food service professionals is titled r/KitchenConfidential. Television shows such as reality show Hell's Kitchen, hosted by Gordon Ramsay, and recent smash-hit drama The Bear, reinforce that in the kitchen, passion is still the tool that gets you through the inevitable isolation, abuse and suffering. Food for everyday people Kitchen Confidential became a bestseller, arriving as popular interest in food and the restaurant industry began to take off. It launched Bourdain's further career. Despite his disdain for sanitised food television, Bourdain himself went on to become a television host. His first series, A Cook's Tour, was accompanied by a book of the same title and appeared on the same Food Network he disparaged in Kitchen Confidential. With his shows filmed in far-off places, Bourdain could have easily become a 'food adventurer', making a spectacle of and exoticising ethnic cuisines. He wasn't perfect, but his genuine enthusiasm and curiosity connected his audience not only to the food he ate on screen, but also with the social and cultural context of the people who made that food. It fostered in many, including myself, a similar curiosity about food: about why we eat what we do, with whom and how. Bourdain died by suicide in 2018 in France, while filming Parts Unknown, his final and most successful series: it had 12 seasons. There was an immediate outpouring of grief, with mourners adding to a memorial at the then-closed Brasserie Les Halles in Manhattan. Bourdain could talk and write about food for everyday people, making them think about where our food comes from, who is cooking for us, and the connections that food forms between us all. In light of his death, his final lines from Kitchen Confidential strike tragically differently 25 years on. He reflected: I'll be right here. Until they drag me off the line. I'm not going anywhere. I hope. It's been an adventure. We took some casualties over the years. Things got broken. Things got lost. But I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Lauren Samuelsson, Associate Lecturer in History, University of Wollongong. This article first appeared on The Conversation.
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
Dominic Sessa to play Anthony Bourdain in new biopic: Details
Dominic Sessa will star as Anthony Bourdain in a new biopic about the late chef's life. A24 confirmed the casting news for the upcoming film -- which will be called "Tony" -- on Wednesday, re-sharing a post from Variety about the casting news on the social platform X. Antonio Banderas will also appear in the movie, though his role is being kept under wraps, Variety reported. The film will take place in 1976 and cover the life-changing experiences Bourdain had working and living in Provincetown, Massachusetts, according to the outlet. Bourdain enrolled in culinary school in 1978, two years after the film is set. He was the executive chef of Brasserie Les Halles in New York City and penned the 2000 memoir "Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly." Bourdain also received several Creative Arts Emmy Awards during his life, as well as several posthumous Emmys, for his work on the unscripted series "Parts Unknown." He died in Strasbourg, France, in 2018 at age 61. Matt Johnson is set to direct the biopic from a script written by Todd Barrels and Lou Howe. The project begins shooting in May. Bourdain's estate rep Kimberly Witherspoon serves as an executive producer on the film.
Hindustan Times
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Holdovers star Dominic Sessa to play Anthony Bourdain in his biopic; Antonio Banderas joins the cast in undisclosed role
The upcoming biopic on the life of popular chef Anthony Bourdain, titled Tony, has begun assembling its cast, with two major names already confirmed. According to a report by Variety, actor Dominic Sessa, best known for his breakout role in Alexander Payne's The Holdovers, will take on the role of the beloved chef, author, and globetrotting TV host. Hollywood star Antonio Banderas is also set to appear in the film in a role that remains under wraps. A post shared by Dominic Sessa (@ According to the report, the narrative is set during the summer of 1976, focusing on a pivotal chapter in Anthony's early life—when he was just 22 years old and working in seafood kitchens in Massachusetts, US. The story promises to shed light on his formative years before the fame, long before Kitchen Confidential or Parts Unknown made him a household name. Directing the project is Matt Johnson, who recently made waves with his 2023 feature BlackBerry, a darkly comedic look at the rise and fall of the smartphone brand. Matt's latest work, Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, adapted from his cult web and Viceland series, premiered to enthusiastic reception at SXSW film festival and is expected to be released later this year. Matt is also reportedly connected to a developing Magic: The Gathering film. The screenplay for Tony comes from Todd Bartels and Lou Howe. Producing the film are Tim White and Trevor White—known for King Richard and No One Will Save You. Among the executive producers is Kimberly Witherspoon, who was Anthony's longtime literary agent and now oversees his estate. She is joined by Chris Stinson, Amy Greene, Emily Rose, Howe, and Bartels. Anthony's legacy has been explored through various lenses since his passing in 2018. The documentary Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain by Morgan Neville offered an intimate portrayal of his life and struggles, while Charles Leerhsen's unauthorized biography, Down and Out in Paradise: The Life of Anthony Bourdain, presented another perspective. Before becoming a cultural icon, Anthony made his mark in New York City as the executive chef at Brasserie Les Halles. His candid memoir, Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, published in 2000, catapulted him into the spotlight. That book would later inspire a short-lived sitcom, Kitchen Confidential, starring Bradley Cooper. Over the years, Anthony would go on to write several more books, co-create a graphic novel, and host acclaimed travel shows such as No Reservations, Parts Unknown, and A Cook's Tour. His voice also found its way into pop culture, with appearances on The Simpsons, Archer, and even a cameo in The Big Short.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Anthony Bourdain Movie 'Tony' Announces Actor Who Will Star As Legendary Chef
The career of actor Dominic Sessa is really cooking now that he's been cast as Anthony Bourdain in a new biopic. The actor, who was acclaimed in his debut role in 2023's 'The Holdovers' opposite Paul Giamatti, will portray the famed chef and TV host in the film 'Tony,' alongside Antonio Banderas. The film is set in 1976, and Sessa will portray a pre-fame Bourdain whose life changes while working and living in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Banderas' role is being kept under wraps, but shooting is expected to commence next month. Bourdain, after a career that took him from culinary school to becoming the executive chef of New York's Brasserie Les Halles, to best-selling author and TV host on CNN and the Travel Channel, committed suicide in June 2018. Social media had strong reactions, both on board and against the casting choice. Dominic Sessa was so good in 'The Holdovers', he gave such a nuanced, but powerful performance I believe will serve him well portraying the legendary Anthony Bourdain. And with the film being A24 and centering food, this will definitely be one of my most anticipated films. — Bella (🍿🫶🏾Cinematically Emotional) (@BellaLoveNote) April 23, 2025 I love this arc for Matt Johnson— from Youtube Show to A24 director. Dominic Sessa has raw talent and I am pulling for him. — Ryan (@medium_gray) April 23, 2025 i keep saying 'enough biopics' and then they announce the most tailored-to-me biopic of all time — todd bonzalez (@doinkpatrol) April 23, 2025 WAITTTTT ANTHONY BOURDAIN BIOPIC???? Oh this is major news for me omfg — lucas🎄 (@mandoIorian) April 23, 2025 DOMINIC SESSA OSCAR INCOMING!!!! — aly! (@spideymoons15) April 23, 2025 Those who weren't as excited took a 'what would Tony do?' approach to the news. Anthony Bourdain would have HATED this but unfortunately I will be tuning in — Don't call me Christopher (@anordinarydayy) April 23, 2025 That's a horrible choice for the lead in this. Anthony Bourdain was a lot of things but a goofy looking doofus isn't one of them. — NotABugEater (@Melnyiam_) April 23, 2025 Not a dig against this guy but I'd be surprised if anybody can capture Anthony Bourdain. Genuinely one of a kind. — Davis C. (@MrRedude) April 23, 2025 i feel like anthony bourdain would hate this 😭 — not syd ❄️ (@sjarmstrong143) April 23, 2025 Anthony Bourdain Didn't Hold Back When Writing About Henry Kissinger Anthony Bourdain's Dark Final Texts To Asia Argento Revealed In Biography Anthony Bourdain: A Revolutionary Celebrity Chef
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Anthony Bourdain Movie 'Tony' Announces Actor Who Will Star As Legendary Chef
The career of actor Dominic Sessa is really cooking now that he's been cast as Anthony Bourdain in a new biopic. The actor, who was acclaimed in his debut role in 2023's 'The Holdovers' opposite Paul Giamatti, will portray the famed chef and TV host in the film 'Tony,' alongside Antonio Banderas. The film is set in 1976, and Sessa will portray a pre-fame Bourdain whose life changes while working and living in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Banderas' role is being kept under wraps, but shooting is expected to commence next month. Bourdain, after a career that took him from culinary school to becoming the executive chef of New York's Brasserie Les Halles, to best-selling author and TV host on CNN and the Travel Channel, committed suicide in June 2018. Social media had strong reactions, both on board and against the casting choice. Dominic Sessa was so good in 'The Holdovers', he gave such a nuanced, but powerful performance I believe will serve him well portraying the legendary Anthony Bourdain. And with the film being A24 and centering food, this will definitely be one of my most anticipated films. — Bella (🍿🫶🏾Cinematically Emotional) (@BellaLoveNote) April 23, 2025 I love this arc for Matt Johnson— from Youtube Show to A24 director. Dominic Sessa has raw talent and I am pulling for him. — Ryan (@medium_gray) April 23, 2025 i keep saying 'enough biopics' and then they announce the most tailored-to-me biopic of all time — todd bonzalez (@doinkpatrol) April 23, 2025 WAITTTTT ANTHONY BOURDAIN BIOPIC???? Oh this is major news for me omfg — lucas🎄 (@mandoIorian) April 23, 2025 DOMINIC SESSA OSCAR INCOMING!!!! — aly! (@spideymoons15) April 23, 2025 Those who weren't as excited took a 'what would Tony do?' approach to the news. Anthony Bourdain would have HATED this but unfortunately I will be tuning in — Don't call me Christopher (@anordinarydayy) April 23, 2025 That's a horrible choice for the lead in this. Anthony Bourdain was a lot of things but a goofy looking doofus isn't one of them. — NotABugEater (@Melnyiam_) April 23, 2025 Not a dig against this guy but I'd be surprised if anybody can capture Anthony Bourdain. Genuinely one of a kind. — Davis C. (@MrRedude) April 23, 2025 i feel like anthony bourdain would hate this 😭 — not syd ❄️ (@sjarmstrong143) April 23, 2025 Anthony Bourdain Didn't Hold Back When Writing About Henry Kissinger Anthony Bourdain's Dark Final Texts To Asia Argento Revealed In Biography Anthony Bourdain: A Revolutionary Celebrity Chef
