Anthony Bourdain, 'No Reservations' Host And Author, Talks About His Career, Family, And Life At 55

There are few opinions trusted as much in the international culinary world as Anthony Bourdain's.

The notoriously sharp-tongued chef, author and host of "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations" has made a living out of circumnavigating the globe in search of the finest cuisines, to be found in the foothills of northern Maine, the mysterious shores of Cuba or the post-Cold War glitz of the Czech Republic.

Now, Bourdain (who goes by Tony) is gearing up for yet another ambitious Travel Channel project. In "The Layover," Bourdain promises to explore an entire range of eateries -- "from dive bars to five stars"-- in a given city over the course of just 24 to 48 hours. No doubt that infamous Tony wit will be left intact, as he promises to be "high octane, gritty, caffeinated and traveling with a sense of urgency."

As fantastic and all-encompassing as his Emmy Award-winning career endeavors are, however, the 55-year-old Bourdain is very much a family man at heart. He and wife Ottavia Busia -- an Italian native who has appeared on several episodes of "No Reservations" -- welcomed daughter Ariane in 2007, a moment he calls his "biggest accomplishment."

The Huff/Post50 team caught up with Bourdain as he gears up for the Nov. 21 debut of "The Layover." Check out his honest thoughts on family, foreign policy and Flea (as in the Red Hot Chili Peppers' bassist) and more below:

Comments

[ray christl]

10:45 AM on 11/18/2011

Just got digital TV in Phnom Penh with the TLC Channel...Anthony Bourdain is a favorite especially when he came twice to Cambodia.& put the Happy Pizza (cannabis topping) on international television. He has the beautiful ethos of the 60's...

[SarcasticFringehead]

04:36 PM on 11/07/2011

Anthony Bourdain is the best.

A good friend of mine who was a chef, gave me "Kitchen Confidential" as a gift. It was a great read. I admired the fact that Tony didn't try to cover up his or sugar-coat his druggy youth. Truth matters to him, and it shows.

Looking forward to his new show.

[rockports rockypoint]

02:26 PM on 11/07/2011

I watch Paul Deen until the moment she says "Ya'll", which takes about five seconds.
Tony is original, informative & entertaining.

[karencares]

02:11 PM on 11/07/2011

Tony....you are the greatest....You just gotta know that any "Travel Channel" edition which begins with a "disclaimer" that you are in line for some really living and not just "you can get my receipes at my website...."eat amercian crap....dot com>>>>>>>
My husband love your advertures and wish the very best safety, health and luck in your traveles.....
Jim & Jill Simister
(in Wichita RIGHT NOT FOR WORK)........LIFE FOR US TONY!!!!!!!

[mebemommee06]

10:56 AM on 11/07/2011

Love Anthony, he can be swave and crass at the same time..

[by-the-sea-]

11:34 PM on 11/07/2011

Suave, you idi_0t.

[JiveNJingle]

08:29 AM on 11/07/2011

"He and wife Ottavia Busia -- an Italian native who has appeared on several episodes of "No Reservations" -- welcomed daughter Ariane in 2007, a moment he calls his "biggest accomplishment." "

Soooo... he has one night of passion, and his wife carries and gives birth to his daughter and he calls it his 'biggest accomplishment'? Hmmm... What exactly has he contributed to his biggest accomplishment besides a night of passion?

See, now I like him, he's entertaining, comes out with seriously funny and witty comments, and I do watch 'No Reservations' quite often. But it's comments like these that make me wonder what makes him so successful regarding his 'accomplishments.' If contributing a night of passion with his wife resulting in a child being conceived, how could anyone consider that their 'biggest accomplishment?

Okay, this is how we'll know how involved he is in this 'accomplishment': in fifteen years, when the child's a teen, we'll see exactly what he's contributed to this 'biggest accomplishment.' If the kid is a wild, drug-addled fool, or a successful, straight-A honor-roll student, we'll know what his contribution is regarding his devotion to fathering--which is REALLY the 'biggest accomplishment' here (anyone can have a night of passion--the real hard work and dedictation comes after that night)... unless he's too busy globe-trotting to be involved in the child's life--positive or negative, and it's all his wife's doing. We may never know...

[tonewheel]

01:19 PM on 11/07/2011

Are you a parent?

[JiveNJingle]

08:19 PM on 11/07/2011

Whether I'm a parent or not has no bearing on this. This man had sex with his wife. A baby resulted. His biggest accomplishment should be raising a successful, good-hearted, decent human being. And since the child is 4 years old, and Tony's still globetrotting, whether or not his 'biggest accomplishment' is really his GREATEST accomplishment remains to be seen. ANYONE can have sex. It takes a special person to be a good parent and raise a good and decent human being. THAT'S the point.

[wtfstfu]

06:55 AM on 11/07/2011

Refreshing to hear his views on foreign policy. Also the on time advice is crucial to success. Early is on time on time is late.

[yappnmutt]

04:46 PM on 11/05/2011

i would tell myself to f off. great line. great parenting advice. we are all the sum of our experiences.

in bourdain's case, this is the attitude that makes him so entertaining and interesting.

[DevonTexas]

01:25 PM on 11/05/2011

I think he was 55 ten years ago. Reads like his publicist wrote this.

[Amy Malkoff]

11:10 AM on 11/05/2011

I love Tony, but it's "risky" marrying a much younger woman? Ridiculous. He told his first wife he never wanted to have kids...until he found the newer, younger model. So that does make him a cliche, and makes me lose much respect for someone I had a LOT of respect for. Disappointed.

[tonewheel]

01:22 PM on 11/07/2011

Don't overthink the article. Enjoy the show!

[Bleedin Taxes]

04:09 PM on 11/04/2011

I love Tony's show. Even the reruns I watch over and over. I like the fact that he will try most anything without getting into the gross things like that Bizarre Foods guy does. And I like his off the cuff New York City type of commentary. Barely restrained... LOL

[Envirohag]

02:44 PM on 11/04/2011

It would be nice if he didn't bad-mouth vegetarians...

[Leah Grace OBrien]

06:42 PM on 11/06/2011

I agree. I almost bought tickets to see him here in St. Pete just so I could talk to him back stage about his new book.It was very well written but there is a section where he crucifies vegetarians. I dig his humor and how witty he us but I think he is a little too rough on vegetarians. I am a vegetarian who supports small, organic farmers but oppose factory farming and the awful effects on animals, humans, and the environment. There are many of us who are not PETA worshippers, who just want to eat healthy food that isn't harmful to us and our children. I am a huge fan of Tony and hope to catch him next time he comes around.

[bmitche]

02:03 PM on 11/04/2011

I like Tony's demeanor. I enjoy his show. He is a cool, good-looking guy who really doesn't need any reservations.

[jgoetz9174]

01:53 PM on 11/04/2011

Is this the guy that bad mouthed Paula Deen? If so , I saw this guy eating bugs on TV. How can you call someone who eats bugs a connoiseur. He's more of a common sewer! Don't mess with Paula...

[Leah Grace OBrien]

06:45 PM on 11/06/2011

I believe he went after Paula Dean because she supports Smithfield Farms. If you know anything about them and their record (animal abuses) then perhaps it might clarify a few things. I could be wrong, but I think his jokes were regarding her constant praise of the nation's largest pork producer.

[jwaka7142]

06:43 AM on 11/07/2011

he hates paula deen and her 2 sissy sons for and on several levels..smithfield is the company she hawks products in lieu of serious cash and her hams are made by them...she makes over fettening food...horrible tasting at that...ever in savannah ga, go try her place...the "hoe cakes" are the only thing worth eating...it all tastes the same and like frozen food...this is why he goes after her and the 2 boys..

[jwaka7142]

06:31 AM on 11/07/2011

wrong man eating bugs...that was andrew zimmer....paula deen and her sons are losers..ever meet them??..i have...snotty...look down the nose and demean you types...souther snoots...so go enjoy paula abd her 2 sissy sons...and eat terrible food in savannah ga at her aweful restaurant or eat the horrible recipes she creates...yuk...

[me515]

01:50 PM on 11/04/2011

To say that I love Anthony Boudain is an understatement. BEST show ever..."No Reservations" is my favorite show of all time...you learn a lot about places you'd never see. Very witty and fun show. He's awesome.