Some of whom have just been one-time acquaintances, some became social friends, while others – a select few – became life long mentors. People who ended up modelling some parts of my life, especially my work life.
One such person is the late American chef Anthony Bourdain. One of the smartest people I have ever known. Rest in peace. Although I never got to meet Anthony in real life, I am grateful to have met him by watching all of his TV show Parts Unknown. He taught me how to bust through obstacles and live life on my own terms. He got to me in many ways.
Every time I watched Anthony, I thought to myself, “wow, this guy really has his act together”. But it wasn’t until last week after reading his memoir, Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook, that I met a different side of him. Anthony beautifully and honestly articulates his thoughts on food, politics, and the world at large, but also gives us a glimpse into his personal life. On page 25 of the book for instance, Anthony says that he was “regularly suicidal” after his first marriage had just ended. Last week, Anthony took away his own life.
Medium Raw is one book everyone should read. While everyone may never agree with some of his opinions, the book is a wake up call. We will never know what people are going through unless we’re in their shoes. Looks can deceive. For Bourdain’s fans, Medium Raw is a first step towards healing. It directs the mind to the many positive values he stood for. What drew him to us in the first place. How he died should never take that away.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
