Anthony Bourdain, the star of the hit television show, Parts Unknown, and the author of Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, was found dead on Friday, June 8. He was 61.​
Bourdain was discovered in his hotel room in France, where he had been filming his show. Cause of death is suicide by hanging.
As one of the food industry’s leading voices, Bourdain’s loss leaves a major hole in the restaurant community. Locally, the Hudson Valley recognizes his lasting impact.
Bourdain began his path to culinary fame at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie. He dropped out after two years to pursue a career in the restaurant world, but wound up returning to the Hudson Valley in 1975 to earn a degree at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park.
In 2010, he filmed a special episode of No Reservations with actor Bill Murray in the Hudson Valley (Season 6, Episode 5). Bourdain is the winner of dozens of awards, including ones from James Beard and Critics Choice.
He will be missed.
​If you or anyone you may know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or behavior, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1.800.273.8255 [1.800.273.TALK] or the call or text the NAMI Mid-Hudson helplines: Dutchess County at 845.485.9700, or Ulster at 845.679.2485, or you can call 911.
