The late Anthony Bourdain was famous for pulling back the curtain on the
cooking world with his tomes and his travels. But when he linked up with
chef Eric Ripert — thanks to "Kitchen Confidential" — a true culinary bromance
was born. Here's a closer look at their inspiring friendship.
French-born world-renowned chef, Eric Ripert, grew up in a cooking household. He began his
formal culinary training at just 15 years old and spent the majority of his career working
through fine dining restaurants in Europe, D.C., and New York City. He finally landed
at Le Bernardain in 1991, where he went on to become Executive Chef . And it was there
that Ripert laid eyes on Bourdain's first book in 2000. He wrote for One Grand Books,
"'Kitchen Confidential' was the first book I ever read in English.
I love that Tony's world in the kitchen was filled with pirate-like renegades when mine was peopled
with regimented professionals. How eye-opening and entertaining to read about the other side!"
"All the TV chefs are so cuddly and adorable. Y'know, maybe I'm the antidote or something."
While they had yet to meet, the boaok would become the catalyst for their future friendship.
Ripert was also relieved to find that Bourdain had only complimentary things to say about his
restaurant — and, famously, the fish. Ripert was both flattered and intrigued
by Bourdain's writing, and reached out to Bourdain. He told Business Insider,
"I called him and said, 'I read your book, and I would love to know you. Would you come for lunch?'
That was the first time I met Anthony, and we have been friends ever since."
Contrary to what you might think, Bourdain and Ripert didn't spend all of their time
wining and dining in the fanciest New York restaurants. Instead,
they ate their way across the city, one hole-in-the-wall at a time.
Ripert was thrilled at the prospect, writing for Book of the Month in 2016,
"It wasn't long before we'd spend evenings away from our restaurants in Anthony's
favorite subterranean- dive bars, listening to obscure punk music on old jukeboxes.
These places were definitely out of my element,
but it was worth the venture to learn more about the industry underbelly that
he spoke of in 'Kitchen Confidential' and gain a deeper insight into Anthony's personality."
"So this could be a whole new beginning for you, Eric." "Yes."
That companionship would soon take on a broader role, as the success of Bourdain's
book took him out of the kitchen and landed him on smack dab on TV.
Bourdain made his small screen debut with the Food Network series "A Cook's Tour" in 2002.
And before Season 1 was a wrap, he had invited Ripert to dine with him at The French Laundry.
This was the first of many appearances Ripert would make on his friend's various shows.
After jumping from Food Network to the Travel Channel, Bourdain launched his hit series,
"No Reservations". Over the course of eight years, Ripert made cameos in five
episodes with Bourdain, until eventually a simple meal turned into a global adventure.
"You have good karma." "Good karma?" "I think so. Well…"
Over the course of filming both "No Reservations", and eventually "Parts Unknown" for CNN,
Bourdain would regularly bring his pal Eric "The Ripper" along for the ride. And the duo created an
on-screen culinary bromance that was as authentic as the two, themselves.
Both Bourdain and Ripert are authors several times over, with Bourdain having published 13 books,
on top of countless articles and interviews. While "Kitchen Confidential" might be his
most recognizable title, it's actually Bourdain's third book — written after
two novels that were released in the nineties. He also published
two graphic novels as well as two cookbooks, and two posthumous works.
"I got the idea to write a book I thought no one would read,
which led to a show I thought no one would watch."
But — not to be outdone — Ripert has also authored several titles,
including four cookbooks, and his revealing New York Times best-selling memoir,
"32 Yolks." The cover features just one review — from Ripert's closest friend,
Anthony Bourdain — which reads: "Heartbreaking. Horrifying. Poignant. And Inspiring."
But the literary admiration flows in both directions. Bourdain also showcased Ripert
in his 2016 release, "Appetites: A Cookbook" — with a photo spread portraying the French
chef looking a little more like his American friend. It makes a clear statement Ripert's
friendship with Bourdain had rubbed off on him a little over their 16 years together.
Ripert and Bourdain obviously enjoyed a very public and exciting friendship.
Who among us wouldn't love to grab our best friend and eat our way across the
world — all while getting paid for the pleasure? We were lucky enough to be invited along for the
ride while these two friends did just that. While they may have had their differences,
they were able to connect in ways that counted. And their friendship was likely
much deeper than we can possibly know, just from watching them on TV.
"Wow. Look at that knife work. You should be a chef."
In 2017, the New Yorker took a deep dive into Bourdain's career in the kitchen and on TV,
talking with Ripert and many others who were close to the celebrity chef.
During a conversation with Ripert, the French culinary star said that
he understood why Bourdain spent so much time working, filming, and writing; it was, in part,
to keep himself out of trouble and perhaps even from confronting some of his demons.
The interview, which happened a year before Bourdain's death, offered a rare glimpse into
Bourdain's darker side, even at the height of his career. But that understanding of how and why
Bourdain operated the way he did, was no doubt a huge factor in the strength of their friendship.
Bourdain was often the first to mention how few friends he really had outside
of filming his shows. With a rigorous travel schedule that kept him on the road for nearly
two-thirds of the year, it was difficult for the host to maintain both romantic
and friendly relationships. As he once told the New Yorker,
"The kind of care and feeding required of friends, I'm frankly incapable of. I'm not there. I'm not
going to remember your birthday. I'm not going to be there for the important moments in your life.
We are not going to reliably hang out, no matter how I feel about you. For fifteen years, more
or less, I've been traveling two hundred days a year. I make very good friends a week at a time."
That ability to quickly and genuinely connect with people everywhere he went was one of
Bourdain's most admirable traits. But ultimately, it was also one of the loneliest aspects for him
in the grand scheme of things. Throughout it all, Ripert remained a constant friend,
which is priceless when long-term relationships are few and far between.
When Bourdain's first marriage to his high school sweetheart ended after two decades together,
Ripert personally set Bourdain up with Ottavia Busia, who would soon become his wife.
At the time, she was a host at one of Ripert's restaurants. But both her and Bourdain's work
schedules prevented them from initially investing much in the relationship at all.
Still, despite the constraints on their time, they plunged forward with a relationship — as
well as matching tattoos on their second date. They made it official with a wedding in 2007 and
welcomed their daughter, Ariane, the same year. While they were never legally divorced, Anthony
and Ottavia separated in 2016 after having lived relatively separate lives for quite some time.
While their marriage may not have lasted,
their split was mostly amicable. Early in the separation, Ottavia revealed to People,
"We love each other. We respect the decisions the other has made.
And we'll always consider ourselves a family."
Shortly after separating, Bourdain began dating Italian actress and director Asia Argento,
whom he remained connected to until his death. Fans of the outspoken celebrity chef could have
never known what was coming, when it came to the private struggles of their favorite TV host.
In June of 2018, Bourdain and Ripert were traveling in France and shooting
new episodes of "Parts Unknown" together when Ripert discovered Bourdain unresponsive in his
hotel room. Shortly after, it was officially ruled that Bourdain had taken his own life,
setting off shockwaves of grief among friends, family, and fans worldwide.
"I get happy, I get stupid, I get drunk. And you see all of those things."
The New York Times reported that Ripert had commented on Bourdain's, quote, "dark mood"
in the days leading up to his death. But even so, there had reportedly been no indication
of Bourdain wanting to end his life. Ripert later took to social media to pay his respects, writing,
"Anthony was my best friend. He was an exceptional human being, so inspiring and generous. One of the
great storytellers of our time who connected with so many around the world on a level rarely seen.
He brought us all on some incredible journeys. I pray he is at peace from the bottom of my heart.
My love and prayers are also with his family, friends, loved ones and everyone that knew him."
While Ripert has given several interviews on a variety of topics since Bourdain's death, he
remains uninterested in sharing the bleak details of their final trip together with the press.
After Bourdain's passing, Ripert — along with chef Jose Andres — joined forces in
2020 to inaugurate June 25th as Bourdain Day, celebrated on Anthony Bourdain's
birthday. Andres was a friend of Bourdain's as well, often traveling and participating
in events with the chef and Ripert, all over the country. He told Esquire in 2019,
"I suffered so much grief after what happened that
I only hope people will turn all that grief into happiness of life,
and remembering how Tony made the world a smaller place by bringing us all together."
"Anthony was a very loyal friend, very noble, very generous with his fans."
Since 2020, those who loved Bourdain have found ways to celebrate his legacy, including traveling,
dining at local restaurants, and striking up a conversation with a stranger over a drink in
a new town. Along with reading his works, many are also donating time or money to organizations
that advocate for solving food crises, even globally — like Andres' World Central Kitchen.
The Culinary Institute of America — from which Bourdain graduated,
in 1978 — also set up an "Anthony Bourdain Legacy Scholarship" to offer financial
assistance for students interested in enrolling in international cuisine and study-abroad programs.
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts,
please call or chat online with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK
(8255). Or Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line 741741.