I also chose this book for my local club, trusting Mr. Lopate's choice. After reading about the ortolan torture, and being subjected to his boring, unimaginative foul language, I stopped reading and changed our book choice. Mr. Bourdain and the other chefs who ate the poor, abused bird should be arrested if the bird is protected and illegal to import, or at least blinded and stuffed with figs until they gag! Disgusting!

Just joined the club and enjoying the interviews.

Thank you

Don

I *LOVED* the chapter about the mandatory basic food education Tony advocates for Americans to gain self-sufficiency. The only thing I hadn't ever done myself was gut and roast a chicken, and I went straight out and did it (on a beer can, I'm from TX and have no roasting rack). How empowering to be able to always create something to nurture yourself given whatever you have around you. Hat's off to you, Sir!

I would love to see this course (right along with personal financial literacy). Would Tony also advocate a "sabbatical" component to send students abroad so that they can gain perspective through the world of travel, exotic foods, customs, and cultures? Watching NR, it seems our world has been as big an education for him as any!

My father a former diplomat would always say that people in foreign countries will accept you as one of them if you were willing to indulge in their cuisine (much sooner than if you actually spoke their language -even without an accent!!)

Whoa, does Bourdain actually think the best way to keep kids from eating crappy food is to "scare the hell out of them"?

Dave, could you elaborate on your "brunch service" comment? I'm not much of a bruncher (& don't eat out that often in any case), but I have friends & family who are.

My brother is a Chef, he has no substance abuse problems but he does have the smug attitude of a Chef!

I've never heard of him but he really sounds like a crank and a gossip to me.

what is anthony's feeling on the closing of El Bulli?

what is anthony's feelings on the closing of El Bulli?

I am curious how research is conducted for Mr. Bourdain's show No Reservations. I recently watched his piece on Ukraine and was appalled at how poorly he represented the country both culturally and gastronomically. Although Ukraine is by no means a hotbed of haute-cuisine, there is certainly more to it than caviar, vodka and so-called Chicken Kiev, and also certainly more to the country than an ex-Soviet submarine base and a nuclear disaster site.

Anthony propelled his career working at a steakhouse. Does he feel that he, especially with his past substance abuse, feel that he is qualified to pass judgment on Paula Deen and her use of butter.

Also, he has badmouthed vegans. So, which is it? Butter and southern food is making America obese, but having a vegetable-based diet is equally as evil?

Please Ask Anthony what he thinks of Rachel Ray and her recipes.

Would Mr. Bourdain care to respond to Tom Colicchio's statement to Page Six that he is afraid of him?

http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/chef_not_scared_cCJETqx2qXg8WzfgIfJAtL

Any thoughts on the latest Alan Richman takedown, who gets a sweet mention in Medium Raw, of the Queens darling M. Wells in GQ? Surprised?

Would Mr. Bourdain comment on Frank Bruni's Unsavory Culinary Elitism op-ed in last week's NYT? My female chef/industry -related friends had strong reactions to this Bruni piece. Most agreed that not only does Mr. Bourdain suffer from "Culinary Elitism", but "Penis Elitism" when it comes to women in restaurant kitchens and the industry. I remain, a fan...

Really enjoyed his take down of Alice Waters - she is so self congratulatory about her life & everything she does. She has no idea of how & where the majority of people shop or their food budgets. She is totally out of touch with reality.
Question: How did Anthony stop smoking - he was up to 60 a day - and please God don't say cold turkey!!

Conspicuous by her absence in Medium Raw...c'mon you speak your mind about everybody else...Padma!

Since he's been to so many countries in both the Mediterranean and the Middle East and seems to have a great interest & affinity for those regions, when will he be going to Israel?

Is a trip there already planned for the show?

Has he been there already & if so can he share any favorite meals he had?

I love Bourdain's adventures, I'd love to read the book, but in my town there aren't any bookstores that would carry it. I wiss I was reading it with you guys. I will just have to take a back seat, from the No Reservations crowd.

Even though he has been out of restaurant kitchens for some time, Bourdain has maintained a certain status as a mouthpiece for restaurant workers, especially in New York. In the great debate over immigration and undocumented workers I have heard little about the strong bonds and relationships made within restaurants. They are a huge part of the restaurant industry and many who I have worked and cooked with are some of my most trusted and close friends. How can we use the restaurant industry to quell some of the xenophobia nationwide?

On another note, will any non-restaurant worker ever know how awful brunch service is, especially in this brunch-crazed town?

I'm a huge fan of Bourdain's books and TV shows.
Now that he has a kid, he will get a new view of the toxic food environment. Will he take a bold stand on school food?
We need him to!
Alice Waters, is too sweet, Jamie Oliver is too focused on TV ratings.
We need some bold action from someone like Anthony who is not afraid to tell the truth!

Don't know if this went through when I tried before, here goes once again...

I know you live "this side of the bridge" you mentioned it on Bill Maher last week. Why do you think there are so very few interesting, innovative resturants over here? Why are most of them in the land of Oz... I mean NYC.

I'm reading Bourdains book. Quick paced, reads like he's on the "lamb" or just flew the coop. It's a fun read.