No Reservations On Travel Channel
Want to know more about the coolest chef on TV? Tony Bourdain hosts “No Reservations” on the Travel Channel. No Reservations is a unique view on travel and food written by a chef/author, a culinary travel view from a self-professed twisted guy. Bourdain is the first to admit he’s jaded but finds humanity in little village haunts in far away places, off the beaten path dives and restaurants the locals visit serving the true food of the region. Bourdain feels especially lucky when he gets invited to a local’s house for dinner to experience home cooking in the country he is visiting.
Tony Bourdain food travels have included food adventures in Mexico to eat tacos al pastor, trying roasted camel in Egypt, a soothing breakfast of hot noodle soup in Vietnam, gagged down fermented shark meat in Iceland, eaten at numerous tapas bars in Spain and visited his old neighborhood haunts in New York. A quote from Bourdain about cooking says it all: “My whole life, cooking has been about control. Traveling and eating are about letting things happen.”
A number of episodes revolve around Bourdain’s friend Zamir. Bourdain has spent time with many new and old friends along the way in his travels. His friendship with Zamir began when Zamir was his tour guide years ago in an early episode. Tony and Zamir met up again in Romania for another adventure, leading to Zamir drunk and passed out on a picnic table. Later that evening Zamir recovered enough to go with Tony to a Halloween party at Dracula’s castle. Tony bemoaned the horrible Halloween costumes and lame dance party but put in a good effort to enjoy the festivities. Since episodes with Zamir have aired Zamir has his own fan club much to Bourdain’s mock dismay. Bourdain hangs with famed chefs featured in his No Reservations episodes, including Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Wylie Dufresne, Masaharu Morimoto, and Michael Ruhlman.
Anthony Bourdain worked his way up in New York kitchens from dishwasher to line cook to chef over 28 years, and for many years was the executive chef of Brasserie Les Halles restaurant in New York. Bourdain is the author of the bestselling book “Kitchen Confidential”, a gritty, behind-the-scenes look at the behind-the-scenes life of restaurant chefs. The popular book catapulted Bourdain into chef stardom and opportunities on television. Having read Kitchen Confidential myself it is well-written and a fascinating read. Bourdain began his television career as host of the half hour show “A Cooks Tour” on The Food Network where he traveled and ate in countries around the world, similar to the basic premise of No Reservations. Bourdain’s “No Reservations” food/travel show is filled with clever writing, great food, interesting people, spectacular locations, raucous humor and smart ass remarks.
No Reservations is in its fifth season. If you are lucky you can catch a marathon of No Reservations during the holidays. Watch No Reservations Mondays at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on the Travel Channel.
