The life and times of Anthony Bourdain, explained by those who knew him best

Author Laurie Woolever discusses the celebrity chef’s life, including some of his greatest accomplishments and most outsized challenges.

In 2018, celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain died by suicide. At that time, many people were shook up by the news. Bourdain was known for curiously traveling the world, tasting local cuisines and engaging in serious discussions about the culture, history and politics of the places he visited.

After his death, the chef, author and travel documentarian was memorialized in many spaces. A new book “Bourdain: The Definitive Oral Biography” by Laurie Woolever tries to shed further light on Bourdain’s childhood and upbringing, his accomplishments and the challenges he faced.

It was a form of family that he was with for nearly 30 years as a professional cook.” — Laurie Woolever, author of “Bourdain: The Definitive Oral Biography”


Listen: How Anthony Bourdain came to influence the food world.

 


Guest

Laurie Woolever is the author of the new book “Bourdain: The Definitive Oral Biography.” Woolever, who knew Anthony Bourdain for close to a decade, says the celebrity chef was originally attracted to cooking because of the excitement, energy and camaraderie that surrounds the industry. “It was a form of family that he was with for nearly 30 years as a professional cook,” she says.

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Author

  • Sam Corey
    Sam Corey is a producer for Detroit Today on 101.9 WDET, which includes finding and preparing interesting stories for radio. He enjoys salsa dancing — and actual salsa.