Anthony Bourdain Dies At 61; Made 'Ultimate' Trip To Wisconsin

WISCONSIN — The life of writer, chef, and television star Anthony Bourdain came to an abrupt end Friday after he was found dead in a hotel room in France at the age of 61. Over his life, he was no stranger to Wisconsin. He made live appearances in Madison and Milwaukee over the years, however his most notable trip to the Badger State was his 2010 trip to Milwaukee.

Bourdain became an instant celebrity when he published the book "Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly" in 2000, but he was best known for his television shows "No Reservations" on the Travel Channel and "Parts Unknown. "

In 2010, Bourdain's Travel Channel food show crew pinballed across the Midwest, landing in Milwaukee for a segment considered the "ultimate taste of Wisconsin."

According to a Journal Sentinel report in 2010, Adam Siegel, the executive chef at Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro and Bacchus, took the "No Reservations" crew for shopping at Strauss Veal in Franklin, Sprecher Brewing in Glendale, Larry's Brown Deer Market and the Spice House downtown, with lunch at Solly's in Glendale. "The next day, he cooked for Bourdain and restaurateur Joe Bartolotta for more filming. The 15 hours of film could account for 7 or 8 minutes of the show," the report stated."

Bourdain sat down with Bacchus owner Joe Bartolotta to enjoy some Wisconsin beer cheese soup, sourced with Widmer Wisconsin Cheddar from Larry's Market and fueled by Sprecher's Special Amber, and topped off with maple-glazed pork belly.

"It's a very sophisticated dish, but hit anybody on the head out in the street, drag them in here and make them eat that, and they're going to say 'that's damn good,'" he said during the broadcast.

Bourdain was treated to Bacchus' best, including: Maharaja curry, fueled by curry from the Spice House; Foie Gras french toast, prepared with door county cherries; bone marrow sourced from Strauss veal topped with fresh black truffles, and a cheese plate with gouda, 12-year-old cheddar and others.

"Who wouldn't love this," Bourdain said of the bone marrow. "Maybe a hardened communist wouldn't love this."

Bourdain Visits Milwaukee

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