For Tony Bourdain fans, the news is good. He now has his own book imprint for Ecco/HarperCollins, and his new series, The Layover, debuts November 21 on the Travel Channel.
Being a cool, successful celebrity chef, author, award-winning reality TV star, husband, and father apparently doesn't keep Bourdain busy enough. Did kicking hard drugs awhile ago—and then, fairly recently, stopping smoking when he became a dad—leave him with too much free time? Or maybe he never sleeps. To me, the man seems as magical as he is irreverent. I wish he'd write a book for his new imprint on how to do and eat as much as he does without collapsing of exhaustion and excess weight.
According to the press release from Ecco/Harper, Bourdain's new book imprint, will be an "eponymous line of books." Apparently Ecco/Harper counts on Tony to attract readers who know eponymous means self-titled (i.e., Tony's name will be on all Ecco books).
Bourdain says of his imprint that the list will include "Chefs, enthusiasts, fighters, musicians, and dead essayists." No explanation of why live essayists didn't make the cut, but Bourdain is clearly branching out from food.
Eater.com quotes Bourdain as saying, "I relish the opportunity to help other authors be heard. And that this is NOT some cynical bullshit list we're talking about."
Not that anyone would expect Ecco/Harper to produce bullshit, but Bourdain emphasizes that this will be a class act.
Bourdain in Haiti during production of his Emmy-winning show, Without Reservations; The Travel Channel http://bit.ly/pNuOm0
In addition to a new book imprint, Bourdain has a new TV series, a guide for people who travel. The premise is that if you get stuck in a city between planes for a day or two, you might as well explore the most interesting places, people, and affordable restaurants. According to the Travel Channel's press release, The Layover's first season focuses on New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Hong Kong, Singapore, London, Rome, Montreal, and Amsterdam and gives "insider tips." I guess travelers to, say Boise, shouldn't hold their breath waiting for tips from Bourdain.
Bourdain says of his new series, "We go to spots that I personally think are cool and fun for all budgets. … It’s about telling a story that viewers can recreate themselves.”
No word yet about whether Bourdain will flash the Chase Sapphire credit card that horrified his more idealistic Tweeting fans when he began using it on Without Reservations. He can't please all of the people all of the time, but he gains new fans with new ventures and keeps us wondering about what comes next. I, for one, can hardly wait.
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Comments
designanator, you have more faith in the state of literacy today than do I, but Eco fans ought to appreciate Ecco, too.
Lea, I agree that Tony and his wife (Gina, indeed) are an adorable, intriguinig couple.. How do they keep their marriage alive when he is out of town so much? Also, like you, I will never forget the ribald eating scene in Tom Jones.
Maybe he's got this new travel show to run away from the kids?
rated!
Bellwether, Julia Childs was the same way--never expressed any interest in healthy eating; and she lived to a ripe old age. Since Tony's travel shows are fantasy trips for watchers, I like seeing the variety of food people eat (healthy or unhealthy). I wonder how his daughter is being brought up to eat.
I feed my family great tasting vegetarian/pescatarian food that isn't always healthy (my cheese affliction!! and fried food!!!), but mostly is, and is ALWAYS tasty. I'm not even a trained chef, so I know it's possible. I guess I just hate how there's a perceived divide between what tastes good and what's good for you -- and that line (especially these days with the products available) is just so fucking NOT there.
But, I do still like his books and his TV show.
Nice post.
He's become too predictable and formulaic.
Miguela, I appreciate the commenters' references, too. And butter. Let me know how you like No Reservations (Travel Channel) when you have time to watch?
Bellwether, since Tony offers a look at what people traditionally eat in cultures around the world, where what we think of as healthy food is traditional, he eats and rates it. He also visits trendy restaurants, some of which offer food considered healthy. He said recently he hates vegetarian food in San Francisco (which I like) but savors traditional Hindu vegetarian dishes. He has also mentioned taking medicine for his high cholesterol. I agree that he and his wife probably emphasize healthy eating for their daughter.
Jeanette, point taken. I hope his first wife meets a man who deserves her. (To be fair, I have no idea why she and Tony divorced and so can't really blame him.)
Rita, I know what you mean and like living vicariously sometimes, too.
Sweetfeet, one woman's obnoxious is another woman's entertaining, but we're both glad he lived through is days of excess.