Photography: Christina Simons
Anthony Bourdain sneeks out of Fenix in Richmond, Melbourne, and down the stairs for a crafty fag overlooking the Yarra river. I approach with my photographer from the inside interupting his well-earned break. We are the fifth interview today not to forget the he was the chef directing lunch as well as talking to a packed crowd of fans afterwards.
He has one more interview before an appointment with the guys Cicciolina’s on Acland St at five O’clock before returning to do the evening shift. This is the man who last (Sunday) night hit the George Wine Room, Mink and several other venues and was out drinking and smoking until 4am. He has the red eyes to prove it.
But this is nothing for the man who has fought heroin addiction, captivated the world with the tales of the underbelly of the New York Restaurant scene (Kitchen Confidential) and become a multimedia celebrity with A Cook’s Tour both a book and series, when he eats almost every variation of extreme food on the planet.He looks up in disbelief at the cellulite and wobbly buttocks being hauled together with a bike up the steps. Bourdain himself a beanpole of a chef, is not the embodiment of heroin chic but, as a fomer user, somewhere near it. He hasn’t been and seen everything in Melbourne. Just the kind of places you’d find chefs and his old friends. Find out his Melbourne favourites tomorrow.