Anthony Bourdain, Leadership Lessons From the Kitchen, 2006

With the publication of Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly in 2000 came a fascination with the seedier aspects of restaurants. The curtain-lifter, Anthony Bourdain, became the go-to source to regale outsiders with kitchen horror stories. The Harvard Business Review contacted him to find out his management strategies. If the hallowed chef could thrive in this chaos, what secrets could he share with the mere mortals who work in offices? Bourdain thought this was hilarious.

In the 2006 StarChefs International Chefs Congress keynote address, Bourdain explained that restaurants are not a microcosm of American business. Speaking before the 'Me Too' movement reckoned with the industry, he said that restaurants have no HR departments, fair hiring practices, or general political correctness. Instead, it’s “a free market wonderland” and “the last meritocracy,” said Bourdain, who had just aired the Beirut episode of No Reservations that would win him an Emmy. But for an audience of chefs who occupy this Wild West, Bourdain did give his rules of management and leadership—all with his trademark honesty and color.

[JoeyArmstrong]

Anthony was a humanist. To all of us cooks he was the ultimate underdog who went to the top and we all lived vicariously through him.

[Whoru]

The GOAT at story telling and getting the point across in a funny and relatable way

[akumajoe]

A lecture to all of us cooks or chefs.
Truly a master, I admire you wherever you are Anthony, you've been impactful in many lifes.

[tacconelli]

Anthony's commentary on who has been cooking in America for a long time (even today in 2021) is spot on.

[kerriganboyd]

"the gentle art of hazing" Tony has an unparalleled way with words

[Davidwags]

Man I absolutely love and respect Tony and everything he said within his books and interviews. He was one of the most relatable, engaging writers I’ve ever had the pleasure of exploring the works of. I sorely miss him as if I knew him, thinking about his passing moves me to tears often. There’s such a bitter sadness seeing him in front of flashing cameras up on a podium, after having read about how much he hated the thing he eventually became through his popularity... he often mentioned in his books how he felt giving the same “never order fish on a Monday” talks over and over again.. I hope he’s enjoying a couple cold ones on a warm beach somewhere in heaven, no cameras, no forced small talk, just good food and good company. Peace and love to anyone struggling with their mental health. You are always loved. And thank you to Tony for sharing a fierce love of all foods and their power to transcend language and borders. You are greatly missed.

[MarksMindBox]

The power of Anthony Bourdain lies in the fact that he could have been an exemplary, convincing writer in whatever field he chose, no matter how nefarious. We should rejoice that he chose to write about his passion and not for strategic reasons.

[karlareyes]

An absolute genius. He loved his craft and he loved food. One of the few chefs I've seen that could enjoy food in a Michelin star restaurant as much as in a street cart. Humility, that's what made him great.

[stephenmcinerney]

Listening to him reminds me of the proverb "“The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long”. RIP. Can anyone imagine how ferocious he would have been in another career?

[konne]

His books brought me through my chef aducation back in Germany, when I hated my self and the situation I got put into seems unmanageable, Anthony was sitting on my shoulder and helped me through,

[crucifire]

This is knowledge for life not just working a restaurant.

[JoaquinProvider]

Tony was just built different! Love his unfiltered honesty!

[MikeBarbre]

I love it when he rolls over to the divider to shut down the talking. That's direct disrespect, and I love that Bourdain doesn't put up with that sh**. That's the self-respect that a guy like Bourdain demanded.

[MarlonAndGabriela]

You’re sorely missed Tony. In hindsight I can see the early signs of depression or him hating himself. His shirt and “hang yourself in the shower” along with his other references of death and dying on his shows. Thanks for showing the world that we can all come together over food.

[rocha]

Fine sense of humour, direct, honest and smart. Shame he is not around but he left a lot of interesting stuff and people behind.

[BlackMasterJoe]

Every time he casually mentions hanging in the shower, my neck gets chills. Anthony mentioned hanging multiple times before his death. It's eerie.

[marjoriejohnson]

Wish i had been able to hear this when i was offered the head chef positiion at a new restraunt. Yes i could cook...yes i could teach...but i had no idea of how to hire...or to pull a kitchen together. I had been a one man band in a restraunt 20 years before, but never to culinary school and never in a kitchen that had more than one cook doing it all. I turned down the job, but i will always wonder, ..could i have "done" it. I miss Mr.Bourdain....RIP.

[hotmanchicken]

Bourdain explains the kitchen system and leadership well. I miss this man. 👨‍🍳🔪🍳

[DrZbo]

Tony, I didn’t cook until you were gone but in part, it’s for you.

[rightbro]

As great as a writer and television personality, and when he speaks of kitchens with such passion, he never returned to work in one side by side with his cooks everyday. Stardom or success can never fill a emptiness, I too was saddened by his death, I was a addict and finally got clean. Today my life is a dream compared to before.