No Reservations: A Night with Anthony Bourdain @ Princess Theatre, Melbourne

By On April 7, 2012 · 37 Comments · In Events, Other Melbourne Events

Anthony Bourdain.

The man needs no introduction.

Who doesn’t know Bourdain?

One of the most famous Celebrity Chef’s of the world, he was recently in Melbourne during the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival to perform two shows.

Us, Bourdain and the Spotlight.

At the end of the night, the crowd was allowed a Q&A session with the man himself and I’ve taken the liberty to compile some of them here.

Obviously, a lot of the questions and answers, you may have heard all before (he is quite consistent with his answers), but I thought I would share it with you anyway :)

We were also lucky enough to partake in the “Meet and Greet” session (as we bought the VIP tickets :P of $150 per person), and I was so nervous, I didn’t know what to do.

One part of me wanted to hug him, and the other part wanted to run around him and beg him to take me with him on his travels :D

The Q&A below is a mix of questions raised at the auditorium and my questions that I managed to get out stutteringly to Anthony Bourdain.

No Holds Barred – Q&A with Anthony Bourdain

What has been your best meal in Melbourne?
It’s something that simply cannot be replicated. We were at Di Stasio’s crib drinking, and Tetsuya Wakuda just threw a few bits and pieces together and we ate and laughed and watched the sunset.

What is your best meal ever?
Noodles from a chipped porcelain bowl in the heart of Chiang Mai.

Food that you will never eat again?
Fermented shark in Iceland.

Ever fall sick? (This has been summarised)
3 times in the 10 years he’s been on the road, with the particular standout, being after he ate the unwashed “Warthog rectum (poop-Shute)” he ate in Namibia.

Last meal or Bucket List?
Cooking meat pie with Keith Richards!

What are your thoughts on Durian?
Smells like your dead grandmother. But I love it. Wouldn’t want to stay with anyone who’s eaten it, be stuck in the car with them with the windows up or live above a durian seller, but I love it.

Malaysia?
Great place. Just finished filming in Penang, which is an amazing place. Great contender for one of the best street foods I’ve had.
Will probably head back to KK [sic] (Kota Kinabalu, Sabah) as well, as I’ve promised them I’d be there for the Harvest Festival.

Nasi Kandar?
It is amazing! It shouldn’t work, but it does and it tastes so good.

Philosophy on life? (This has been summarised)

  • Respect the food and culture you have entered. Be mindful of how much effort it takes someone to put something on your plate.
  • Don’t scorn what people place in front of you. Eat it, unless you’re allergic from it, it’s not going to kill you. Be respectful to your host and eat everything on your plate.
  • I don’t understand the whole vegetarians and vegans thing.
  • I won’t ever eat dogs or cats. I’ve gotten out of eating it for the last 10 years. Close shaves, but I just can’t.

Guilty Pleasures?
Oh my. Ermm… Mac ‘n’ Cheese from KFC! Every now and again, I like to go undercover, put on my hoodie and get some Mac ‘n’ Cheese from KFC. I don’t know what it is, it’s probably not even Mac or Cheese. That’s the thing about Twitter, right. It’s hard to keep a low profile. I go in, and as I’m walking out with my stash, in the branded KFC bag, some guy will stop me and say, “HEY! Your Anthony Bourdain!”, and uploads it immediately on Twitter! I can’t even say it’s not me!

What are your thoughts on Food Bloggers?
Man! We need them! These are the people we rely on for our show to work! If we enter an unfamiliar country/location, we usually get the food bloggers from that area and research. We speak with them, liaise with them and get them to be our fixers for the show! We need food bloggers!

And with that, I shall conclude our amazing night out. There were quite a few more questions that were asked, but I’m not going to list them all down!

Listening to Anthony was an amazing and eye-opening experience. I learnt quite a few tips and enjoyed his story telling and adventures. I can’t wait to catch the next season of No Reservations!

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37 Responses to No Reservations: A Night with Anthony Bourdain @ Princess Theatre, Melbourne

  1. Vien @ We Dare Food says:
    April 7, 2012 at 10:54 AM

    How lucky! The man himself! :D HAHA I love how he described the smell of durian! Sounds like a fun evening!
    Vien @ We Dare Food recently posted..10 Things You Don’t Know About Me

    Reply
  2. Ed says:
    April 7, 2012 at 11:27 AM

    Sounds like a great night. But $150! Wow, that’s expensive.
    Ed recently posted..The Huxtabogan: the end to Smith St cool?

    Reply
  3. Michelle says:
    April 7, 2012 at 12:16 PM

    can i like strangle you now that i’ve read this amazing piece?

    just kidding. hehe.

    i bet that picture with him was probably the best fangirl moment ever for you
    Michelle recently posted..What do I normally eat?

    Reply
  4. Jackie B (@YummyStuffGoesH) says:
    April 7, 2012 at 12:58 PM

    I love love love him… I told you to snatch his shirt, hair or anything off him for me ;) bahahhahahaha.. Oh wait that was Daniel Henney.
    I told you to get me an autograph.. “To Jackie, I love you more than Pork” hehheeheh ;) Just kidding! You’re so lucky! I would faint if I see him in person! He is like God in the foodie world!
    Jackie B (@YummyStuffGoesH) recently posted..Nyonya Breeze at Straits Quay

    Reply
  5. leaf (the indolent cook) says:
    April 7, 2012 at 2:07 PM

    Oh awesome! Regret not going to that now. Anthony Bourdain definitely has a big personality. Thanks for sharing the Q&A!
    leaf (the indolent cook) recently posted..a lime & fig compote… an existential crisis

    Reply
  6. Hannah says:
    April 7, 2012 at 2:21 PM

    Can’t say I’ve ever had mac n cheese from KFC (I’m guessing that’s an American option) but I do have fond memories of eating the mashed potato and gravy and corn sides as a meal as a kid :P
    Hannah recently posted..For Jerome

    Reply
  7. Daisy@Nevertoosweet says:
    April 8, 2012 at 5:27 PM

    OMG! So jealous you got to meet Anthony Bourdain and also got the chance to talk and take a photo with him WOW! I dunno what I wouldve done if i had the chance to meet him…I would be so star struck hehe

    It’s amazing how he gets to travel the whole world and eat so many different cuisines hehe :D
    Daisy@Nevertoosweet recently posted..Midnight Cravings – Taiwanese Fried Chicken

    Reply
  8. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says:
    April 8, 2012 at 9:59 PM

    Great report of the night I-hua! And that pic of you with him is gorgeous! :D LOL at what he thought of durian :P
    Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella recently posted..The Great Ocean Road: A Road Trip To South Australia

    Reply
  9. Ashley says:
    April 8, 2012 at 10:24 PM

    “Smells like your dead grandmother.”

    HAHAHAHA! :D

    He’s a funny man, so awesome you got to meet him, AND HAVE A PICTURE! :) Great summary and glad you could make it! :)
    Ashley recently posted..Two Years. A bunch of haircuts. Lots of Love.

    Reply
  10. penny aka jeroxie says:
    April 9, 2012 at 12:49 PM

    I can’t understand the whole vegetarians and vegan thing as well. And also people that don’t eat PORK!
    penny aka jeroxie recently posted..Eating in Surry Hills – Sushi Sumo

    Reply
  11. Winston says:
    April 9, 2012 at 2:20 PM

    Omg what a great interview, I can’t believe you got to meet THE Anthony Bourdain =OO So did you hug him when you meet him? LOL! And I must say my mouth literally dropped when he mentinoed KK (my hometown!!) can’t believe he knows the place and want to be back foahhh… Great experience I’m so glad you blogged this =D
    Winston recently posted..Chin Chin, CBD

    Reply
  12. Agnes says:
    April 9, 2012 at 9:37 PM

    Sorry who’s Bourdain again? Hahaha. Look at you in that photo, you big cheese ball! <3
    Agnes recently posted..The week in brief: 2 April – 8 April

    Reply
  13. Adrian (Food Rehab) says:
    April 10, 2012 at 12:34 PM

    That is damn cool! Love how he loves food bloggers. Very nice write up!
    Adrian (Food Rehab) recently posted..A CHAT with Eleena and Michael Tan from The Reading Room Cafe about their Pop up for Charity

    Reply
  14. April says:
    April 10, 2012 at 2:12 PM

    Awww, such a great photo! You look taller than him! Hehe :P
    April recently posted..Dining Out: The Reading Room Cafe, Footscray

    Reply
  15. jasmine says:
    April 11, 2012 at 4:21 AM

    Gosh girl you are SO lucky! I would give my first born just to take a photo with AB! :)
    jasmine recently posted..Guilin Li River by Land Air and Sea, China

    Reply
  16. Nic@diningwithastud says:
    April 11, 2012 at 4:07 PM

    What a fab experience. Love him or hate him, he’s an honest, brilliant man
    Nic@diningwithastud recently posted..Easter feaster – to add to your chocolate hangover

    Reply
  17. Hotly Spiced says:
    April 12, 2012 at 9:54 PM

    Love the photo of the two of you. I would have been nervous too! I’m prone to getting a little star-struck. His answers to the questions are so entertaining. I can’t believe he ate fermented shark and a pig’s rectum – I think there are some things you really don’t need to try! xx
    Hotly Spiced recently posted..All-Bran Fibre Toppers

    Reply
    • Ms I-Hua says:
      April 12, 2012 at 10:05 PM

      Hahaha you can’t tell, but I’m shaking like a leaf! A LEAF! Oh.. the reason why he ate them was more to respect his hosts than the actual need to eat weird food :) He was explaining about respect and manners, and when people have nothing to eat, and they hunt just for you, you have to suck it up and dig in. Although I think he suspected, that the stuff they made him eat wasn’t everyday food, but specially reserved for an “honoured” guest :)

      Reply
  18. Heidi - Apples Under My Bed says:
    April 13, 2012 at 1:57 PM

    ah!! love him! love this! love!
    Heidi xo
    Heidi – Apples Under My Bed recently posted..Cocoa Coconut Macaroons

    Reply
  19. dave says:
    August 21, 2012 at 11:00 PM

    gotta love a durian fan and the actual fruit. Bourdain….this man is a living legend! his books and his shows are addictive.
    his philosphy on life are so true. But i respect vegans though. the fermented shark thingy :O i’d pass on that.

    Reply

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