Anthony Bourdain (June 25, 1956 – June 8, 2018) was an American celebrity chef, author, and travel documentarian known for exploring international culture, cuisine, and the human condition through his writings and television programs. He graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1978 and became a renowned executive chef in New York City. Bourdain gained fame with his 2000 best-selling book "Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly," which exposed the behind-the-scenes reality of the restaurant industry. He was the host of several travel and food shows, including "A Cook's Tour," "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations," "The Layover," and "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown," which won multiple Emmy Awards. His work celebrated traditional and street foods, and he was known for his candid, often provocative views on culture and food. Bourdain died by suicide while filming "Parts Unknown" in France in 2018. Besides his television career, he wrote crime novels, fiction, historical nonfiction, and contributed to numerous publications. He also advocated for social justice and greater understanding of cultures worldwide through food.