Anthony Bourdain is alive and well in the hearts of fans and friends on what is turning out to be a successful first Bourdain Day. Created by friends and fellow celebrity chefs Eric Ripert and José Andrés, Bourdain day is meant to be a simple celebration — easy enough for anyone anywhere in the world to take part. Simply raise a glass and “toast to Tony!”
This being 2019, it isn’t enough to just toast somebody in the real world. We have to do it digitally as well, which is why many people — including the late chef’s famous friends — are taking to social media and using the hashtag #BourdainDay to share words about the renowned vagabond on what would’ve been his 63rd birthday.
Before we get to the tribute tweets, we’d like to put this tweet from The Restaurant Manifesto on your radar.
A great way to commemorate #BourdainDay is to bring some ice cold refreshments for the kitchen wherever you’re dining tonight. It’s hot back there!! Tell ‘em it’s from Tony!! It doesn’t have to be beer, but cooks love a cold drink after a long shift! @ericripert @chefjoseandres
— The Restaurant Manifesto (@restofesto) June 25, 2019
The Restaurant Manifesto offered a great suggestion that we think would make a cool Bourdain Day tradition, “bring some ice cold refreshments for the kitchen wherever you’re dining tonight.” Anthony Bourdain stressed the importance of showing appreciation to the people who are feeding you and loved back-of-house staff, and we couldn’t think of a better way to thank those who have the job of feeding people every night. After all, they’ll need something to toast Anthony with too!
Here are tweets honoring Bourdain from celebrities and people in the food and travel worlds.
.@ericripert and I celebrating #BourdainDay in Singapore at @KEK chili crab paradise restaurant with beers, chili crab and friends! Post your videos celebrating #BourdainDay @RoadsKingdoms join us! People@of the World! @CNN @wkamaubell pic.twitter.com/CiPJjaCP8Q
— Chef José Andrés 🕊️🥘🍳 (@chefjoseandres) June 24, 2019
A true Legend… Anthony, my Dear friend… Happy Birthday! The world wishes you Peace & Love on your journey #BourdainDay
💙🙏🏼✌🏼🕊 https://t.co/pk3QG0nqG5— Eric Ripert (@ericripert) June 24, 2019
I’m so grateful for a day in honor of a man I respected very deeply. He was cool and brilliant. Over the years we found common ground through humor, music and food. I miss his wit and presence. Singular man.#BOURDAINDAY 🙏🏻 @ericripert @chefjoseandres pic.twitter.com/DnhnIiI4mt
— Rachael Ray (@rachaelray) June 25, 2019
Some heroes don’t wear capes… we miss your wit, my friend. #bourdainday pic.twitter.com/n8qHLFy7tu
— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) June 25, 2019
I want to participate in #BourdainDay on Tuesday, his birthday. And I will. But man, it's still so raw. Watching some of his television, dining at his favorites, missing this very fine friend — is it me, or is it still hard for other folks? I'll rally for the day. But damn.
— David Simon (@AoDespair) June 24, 2019
Anthony Bourdain departed this earth a year ago. Today I join his friends and colleagues to remember his birthday, and celebrate his life and the grand adventures he took us on. #BourdainDay pic.twitter.com/zI7MAaPJv3
— Christiane Amanpour (@amanpour) June 25, 2019
First day in Korea and I was able to get breakfast from Starbucks but then remembered it was #BourdainDay so I walked back to where I had seen the locals eating and go really out of my comfort zone trying to say thank you in Korean. pic.twitter.com/AMsnSnyOj9
— Amy Hissrich (@ahissrich) June 24, 2019
"Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you." #bourdainday (with some amazing Bourdain stops in Vietnam, Portugal and Barcelona) pic.twitter.com/1vtcgVtGG1
— Kyle Potter (@kpottermn) June 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/matthewRvincent/status/1143570752635133953
On #BourdainDay celebrate your friends and family. Savor the small moments you would normally ignore. And have great conversations! Thank you, Tony! https://t.co/E7WQQnRVSq
— W. Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) June 25, 2019
And finally, from Uproxx’s own Charles Thorp:
