Anthony Bourdain is My Inner Narrator

(Source)

A good chef told me three conditions must be satisfied before a customer enjoyed their food:

1)  Is this customer hungry?

If the customer just ran a marathon, anything tastes good.  I remembered  my half marathon the oranges at mile 10 were ambrosia.

2)  Is the customer with friends?

Customers are less likely to complain about their food if they have good company.  Unless you manage to piss off the whole table.

3)  Is there money in this guy's pocket?

If one is too worried about personal finances, nothing tastes good.

Then, you can blame the restaurant.

Food writing isn't so much about the edible material on the plate, but the narrative behind the edible.  One would never imagine a sun-damaged former drug addict chef from New York City would be one of the most powerful food critics on earth.  Many people would drop everything to have a beer or meal with him.

Why?  He has an interesting narrative.

Take for instance his trip to Finland in a reindeer restaurant:

"Like reindeers?  I do!  I like 'em on my plate, while Santa looks in mute horror as he's duct taped and ball-gagged!"

He's very honest and direct with his thoughts.  He's also self-deprecating or insulting his own culture (America) when commenting, but he's always careful not to offend the culture he's visiting.

One of his best episodes was his trip to Saudi Arabia.  Before dinner when his hosts are praying to Mecca, he reminds his Western audience to appreciate the present beauty this foreign culture.

Paradoxically Anthony Bourdain has the easiest and hardest medium to critique.  It's relatable to everyone because unlike movie, print, or art, everyone alive has some visceral experience with food.  At the same time it's the easiest way to offend someone if one expresses disgust with another culture's food.

I don't believe it's necessary to shock or offend to get good blog views.  As my blog keeps developing, I will try my best to tell it like it is with my inner Bourdain.  So long as you're honest, relatable, and clear, you have a story worth telling.