Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations Celebrates the 100th Episode

On Labor Day, 2010, Anthony ("Tony") Bourdain's television show, Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, aired its 100th episode on the Travel Channel. The 100th episode was located in the same place the show began, Paris (via Travel Channel). The episode was not a mark of Anthony Bourdain's retirement from the show, but rather highlighted the accomplishments No Reservations has had up to this point and the many more adventures to come. Do not expect this culinary arts master and travel enthusiast to back down, as Bourdain continually states "100 is not enough" and he is "hungry for more." Who wouldn't be? He travels the world trying some of the most amazing and obscure food this planet has to offer, while submerging himself in cultural surroundings many of us could never imagine. Whether Bourdain is getting a tattoo by the locals in the Philippines, heading straight to pub for brew, or eating the eye of a fresh seal carcass off a kitchen floor, Anthony Bourdain travels with No Reservations.

Anthony Bourdain presents his audience with a bold wit and sense of humor that may hinder conservative viewers. However, any adult that can tolerate Bourdain's inability to suppress swearing and his comical humor should not pass up watching No Reservations. People who are interested in Bourdain's facetious spin on his professional life in the past and present, should know that he is a successful writer. Lucky for us, he has saved the real grit for his books. I suggest checking out his first non-fiction book, Kitchen Confidential.  Kitchen Confidential played a role in landing him the offer to work in food show business for the first time. In 2002, The Food Network asked him to host the show A Cook's Tour. It was not until 2005 that the Travel Channel captured his talents for the show No Reservations, where he is running six years (six seasons) strong with the series.

Since 2005, No Reservations has won two Emmy Awards. The first Emmy was received for Outstanding Informational Programming in 2006. During the episode, Bourdain and his crew documented the Israel-Lebanon conflict. The second Emmy was a Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Cinematography for Nonfiction viewing in 2009. Therefore, many of the graces fall onto Bourdain's most frequent cinematographer Zach Zamboni. Occasionally, you will see Zamboni coaxed into a shot (filmed by another cinematographer on site) for cultural drinks or food that are offensive to turn down when offered. Bourdain seems to get a kick out of this. To him, there's nothing like getting a camera crew drunk in the middle of nowhere, Japan.

Like many people out there, I have always had a love for traveling, learning about other cultures, and food. I have not had the luxury of having money for such expeditions. Anthony Bourdain provides a show that is humorous and educational, while highlighting the adventurous thrill of traveling. He even tells you what to eat along the way with his culinary expertise. If nothing else, his episodes inspire me to see the world when I win the lottery and finish college. Rest assured, I will finish college, but more loans may be in order to travel after graduation. For now, I will continue to live vicariously through the man who lives by his motto, "I write, I eat, I travel, and I'm hungry for more." Congratulations, Tony, on your 100th episode!

If you would like to personally congratulate Anthony Bourdain, feel free to comment on his blog about episode One Hundred.