I always thought that restaurateur, author, chef, Anthony Bourdain, was a bit of a prick, although I like that sometimes. Especially his very personal attack on Food Network's chef Paula Deen (didn't disagree with his issue about her diabetes, but the rather nasty way he treated her.
I was totally shocked when I watched one of the first shows of his new show,
Parts Unknown, on CNN and was completely enthralled. The first episode that I saw was the Korea Town in LA. I became addicted immediately. I've watch every episode since.
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| Bourdain, a dude who captures my heart with his profanity |
First of all, the dude has a sailor vocabulary that he shares unabashedly on the show. He said 'fuck' several times. He said 'shit'. He said 'god damned'. I relish others who swear the way I do. I fell in love with the show instantly with the first 'fuck' that was uttered.
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| Myanamar episode |
But more importantly,
Parts Unknown, is a very intelligent sociological, journalistic show in addition to being a "foodie"-oriented show. The essence of the show is about discovering food in all sorts of exotic far flung places. But like I said, the show transcends a food discovery show.
Last week's show from Libya, was perhaps some of the most impactful reporting I've seen since Gaddafi's death. And yet, it ultimately made my mouth water.
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| Libya episode |
One example, a breakfast item, which is sort of a flattened "donut" fried with an egg or to in it. Another segment at a seafood shop made Seattle's Fisherman's Wharf's vendor offerings pale in comparison.
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| Dish from the Los Angeles Korea Town episode |
Since the first LA Korea Town episode I've watched with more and more obsessiveness shows profiling: Colombia, Canada (Quebec), Morocco (Tangier), Libya. In fact, I've viewed each episode multiple times.
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| A Tangine from the Morocco episode |
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| Canada (Quebec episode) |
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| Libya episode |
I'm bored with television for the most part. I've lost any interest in the faux reality shows (Housewives, etc). But this show is as real as it gets. And Bourdain, who often looks haggard in a dashing way, is so very erudite, humorous, and ballsy, that you must check out this show.
After only a half a dozen episodes CNN has renewed the series for a second season. It seems that I'm not the only viewer impressed with
Parts Unknown.
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| Bordain in the Morocco episode |
The show is on at 9pm Eastern on Sunday. Please go to the website to learn more (
click here). But more importantly, give yourself a gift, and became a viewer of this show. You'll become a more educated foodie, but more importantly, you'll be eminently aware of the diverse world in which we live.
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| Food from the LA Korea Town episode |
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