Page 104 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL FALL 2024 SPAIN
P. 104
STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY BY RON JAMES
A TAPAS DANCE: IN BOURDAIN’S FOOTSTEPS
aint Anthony Bourdain inspired our tionally syndicated wine and food col-
whirlwind of eating and drinking in umn, “Perfect Pairings.” Bourdain, then a
Granada for several days during rather obscure chef working in the hot
S our stay. We were determined to kitchens of New York City, gave the world
walk in his footsteps. The late great chef a glimpse of his razor wit and searing
provocateur filmed an episode of “Parts honesty in "Kitchen Confidential” (2000).
Unknown” here in 2013 featuring five This professional memoir served up an
tapas bars. We planned to check out the unfiltered look at the sometimes grim re-
same ones. But not all in one night, as ality of working in New York’s high-end,
Boudain and pals high-pressure
did. And not eat- kitchens.
ing exactly ev- As the book
erything he did. climbed the best-
We're no match seller charts, I was
for his try-any- offered a phone in-
thing appetite, terview with Bour-
stamina, or even dain. “Mr Bourdain is
his biting prose. very busy,” the pub-
Who is? licist explained. “The
We were in interview will be 15
Granada on the minutes, no longer.”
6th anniversary Now by this time,
of his tragic sui- Tony Bourdain al-
cide in a hotel ready had a reputa-
room in France, tion for not suffering
where he was filming. During his lifetime, fools gladly–especially if the fools were
this renowned chef changed the way journalists with stupid questions.
people think about travel and food. Sev- I had interviewed several superstar
eral television series since have tried to chefs by then, but I was intimidated, and
emulate his style, but none has even more than a bit nervous. In the end, it
come close. He is still an inspiration to was a wonderful interview. Bourdain was
us, and millions of other fellow travelers charming and chatty. Our 15 minutes
and food lovers around the world. multiplied into nearly an hour. I hung up
Years ago, when he was on the cusp with new respect for the man and a good
of fame, I interviewed him for my na- deal of professional self-satisfaction.
104 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE FALL 2024
