“Skills can be taught. Character you either have or you don't have.” - Anthony Bourdain, Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly

Remembering Anthony Bourdain

The Smithsonian Institution declared Bourdain "the original rock star" of the culinary world, while he had a public persona that was characterized by Gothamist as a "culinary bad boy". Known for consuming exotic local specialty dishes, he had "eaten sheep testicles in Morocco, ant eggs in Puebla, Mexico, a raw seal eyeball as part of a traditional Inuit seal hunt, and an entire cobra—beating heart, blood, bile, and meat—in Vietnam," reported the Daily Freeman in 2010. Bourdain was also known for his sarcastic comments about vegan and vegetarian activists, saying that their lifestyle is rude to the inhabitants of many countries he visits. He said he considers vegetarianism, except in the case of religious strictures as in India, a "First World luxury." He clarified that he believed Americans eat too much meat, and admired vegetarians who allow themselves to put aside their vegetarianism when they travel in order to be respectful of their hosts. Bourdain was an advocate for communicating the value and tastiness of traditional or "peasant" foods, including specifically all of the varietal bits and unused animal parts not usually eaten by affluent, 21st-century U.S. citizens. He also consistently noted and championed the high quality and deliciousness of freshly prepared street food in other countries—especially developing countries—compared to fast food chains in the U.S. 

Take his words to heart and follow his steps, fall in love with Budapest! Remember him as you visit these locations: the breathtaking architecture for an afternoon coffee at New York Café, the Pléhcsárda for an enormous schnitzel, try some hurka (blood sausage)at Belvárosi Disznótoros.

"We are taking a very unique, very personal look at what is, without question, one of Europe’s most stunningly beautiful cities. I was kicking myself throughout the shoot for the fact that I hadn’t been there earlier. If you are into architecture porn, Budapest is for you. One incredible building after another. Block after block of what is simply an incredible mix of styles, the imaginations of the creators gone wild during the city’s years of empire. It is really something to see. And I felt like a total rube arriving so late. What took me so long!?nIt is also, apparently, the foie gras capital of Europe, so there’s just no excuse for not having come sooner. The food is delicious. The people lovely. The scenery unlike anywhere else on earth."

Cover photo: Anthony Bourdain's Facebook site credited to #AsiaArgento #ChristopherDoyle Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown CNN Original Series