Anthony Bourdain was a hero to my dad. My dad was a chef and always loved how off-the-cuff and crazy Bourdain was. I have always had a spot in my heart for the slightly off characters I meet in my life because we’re all a bit crazy at the end of the day. I think this slightly off sentiment rings true for chefs, and my dad is no exception. When I heard about Bourdain’s death at the early age of 61 (June 8th, 2018) I was shocked, but immediately picked up this book. I realized I didn’t know enough about him besides what I’d heard in the news: drugs, alcohol, women, etc. What I really loved about reading this book wasn’t that it reminded me of my time as a busboy back in high school (where yes, the chef was also slightly off), but that it gave me a glimpse into what my dad did to provide food for my family. What my own dad had to put up with to raise three boys. Why my dad wanted to instill in all of his boys a really strong work ethic and a love for whatever craft it was we chose. My dad is an immigrant from India so he very rarely tells me about his past. So while reading this it was fun to fantasize my dad being a mad man like Bourdain was back in his twenties. But I bet my dad was a loser who never had sex with the bride of the wedding in the dumpster outside of the venue he was catering for. Right? I may need to make a call…