A Cook’s Tour: Global Adventures In Extreme Cuisines, by Anthony Bourdain
A Cook's Tour: Global Adventures in Extreme Cuisines by Anthony Bourdain isn't just another travel book—it's a wild ride through the world's kitchens and dining rooms. Bourdain, a chef known for his sharp wit and even sharper knives, takes us on a journey that'll make your mouth water and your sides split with laughter. From slurping noodles in Vietnam to downing vodka in Russia, Bourdain dives headfirst into each culture he visits. In Portugal, he feasts on a whole suckling pig, describing its crispy skin as "pig candy." In Japan, he braves fugu, the potentially lethal pufferfish, and lives to tell the tale. And in Cambodia, he finds himself moved to tears by a simple meal of pork and rice, shared with locals who have little but offer everything.
Bourdain's writing is like his cooking—bold, flavorful, and without pretense. He doesn't just tell you about the food; he makes you feel like you're right there with him, whether he's sweating in a Moroccan market or shivering in the Russian countryside. His description of dining at the famous French Laundry in Napa Valley is enough to make you want to book a flight to California immediately.
But it's not all fancy restaurants and exotic locales. Bourdain has a knack for finding the heart of a place in the most unexpected spots. In Mexico, he discovers the soul of the country in a simple taco stand. In Spain, it's a no-frills bar serving perfect jamón ibérico that captures his heart.
A Cook's Tour isn't just about food—it's about the people behind the food, the stories they tell, and the cultures they represent. Bourdain's respect for the cooks, farmers, and food lovers he meets along the way shines through on every page. If you love food, travel, or just good storytelling, this book is a must-read. It'll make you laugh, make you hungry, and most importantly, make you want to pack your bags and explore the world, one meal at a time.
“Context and memory play powerful roles in all the truly great meals in one’s life. I mean, lets face it: when you’re eating simple barbecue under a palm tree, and you feel sand between your toes, samba music is playing softly in the background, waves are lapping at the shore a few yards off, a gentle breeze is cooling the sweat on the back of your neck at the hairline, and looking across the table, past the column of empty Red Stripes at the dreamy expression on your companion’s face, you realize that in half an hour you’re probably going to be having sex on clean white hotel sheets, that grilled chicken leg suddenly tastes a hell of a lot better.”
Interesting Facts & Links:
Anthony Bourdain captivated audiences with his raw honesty and sharp wit, bringing the gritty world of professional kitchens to life in his breakout book Kitchen Confidential. More than just a chef, Bourdain was a masterful storyteller who used food as a lens to explore culture and human nature. His travel writings and TV shows took readers and viewers on global adventures, revealing the heart and soul of diverse cuisines and the people behind them. Bourdain's untimely death in 2018 left a void in the culinary world, but his legacy as a bold, curious, and compassionate observer of life continues to inspire.
The book was written as a companion to Bourdain's first television series of the same name, which aired on the Food Network. However, the book delves much deeper into his experiences and thoughts than the TV show could capture.
In the Vietnam chapter, Bourdain reveals he attempted to buy the bones of an American soldier from a Vietnamese woman, intending to repatriate them. He ultimately decided against it, fearing he might be scammed or cause diplomatic issues.
Bourdain wrote much of the book while still working as a chef at Les Halles in New York City. He would often write late into the night after finishing his shifts, capturing his travel experiences while they were still fresh in his mind.
Anthony Bourdain was the guest editor for the 2008 edition of The Best American Travel Writing series.
A Cook’s Tour is one of our top picks for those who love travel books. Really worth the read. Click here to see our complete list recommendations for the absolute best in travel writing.
Anthony Bourdain A Cooks Tour Season 1 Episode 1: A Taste of Tokyo
The #1 food writer and television presenter in the world, and star of Travel Channel and CNN, Anthony Bourdain reinvented the food travel genre. In his groundbreaking first television series, Bourdain travels around the world indulging his taste for local cuisine and eccentric characters. You never know what he'll say, who he will meet, or what they will have for dinner.
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