Anthony Bourdain, 61, was found dead today in his room at Le Chambard, France. Like Kate Spade he hung himself. Bourdain had traveled to Strasbourg, France, near the border with Germany, with a television production crew to film an episode of his show “Parts Unknown” on CNN.
Anthony Michael Bourdain was born June 25, 1956, the oldest son of Pierre Bourdain, an executive in the classical-music recording industry, and Gladys Bourdain, a longtime copy editor at The New York Times. He attended Vassar College, dropping out after two years. Spending summers in Provincetown, he started working as a dishwasher at a seafood restaurant and closely watched the cooks, men who dressed like pirates, with gold earrings and turquoise chokers. He enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America and worked in the Rainbow Room, the W.P.A.. Gianni’s and Bourdain, before he became an executive chef in the 1990s at Brasserie Les Halles for eight years. The Bordain sent an unsolicited article to The New Yorker about the dark side of the restaurant world and its deceptions. It resulted in “Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly,” a memoir that elevated Bourdain to a celebrity chef and a new career on TV. “Kitchen Confidential” hit the best-seller lists in 2000 and sold over a million copies.
In 2011, Bourdain, began his own publishing imprint at HarperCollins, editing books by chefs Roy Choi, Wylie Dufresne and Danny Bowien.
In 2012, he joined CNN and spent eight seasons as the globe-trotting host of “No Reservations” on the Travel Channel, highlighting obscure cuisine and unknown restaurants. Then he started “Parts Unknown,” going to different countries around the world exploring the politics and history over plates of food and drinks. President Barack Obama appeared on an episode of “Parts Unknown” in Vietnam in 2016.
Mr. Bourdain had been dating the actor Asia Argento, who went against Harvey Weinstein.
Mr. Bourdain leaves behind a daughter, Ariane, who is 11
Events
Countdown to Christmas: A Sweet Treat For Christmas and Chunakah

24 days to go! Every year people panic to find the perfect gift. We at T2C have been collecting idea’s all year long to bring you the perfect gift guide at all price levels. When you’re at the end of your rope trying to find the perfect Christmas present this year, come to this guide for some great suggestions.
I am starting first with Chanukah which starts December 7th. Here are great little surprises and treats. First up are these festive Chocolate Dreidels ($14) are handmade with the finest chocolate, and filled with milk chocolate gold-foiled Gelt coins for a surprise inside that never disappoints. They make a great addition at any Chanukah celebration everyone will love! Each Dreidel contains 3 coins. Gluten Free. Kosher Certified.
Then there are the adorable Menorah Pops. At $4.95 its a sin not to indulge.
Their unique selection of Chocolate Gift Boxes, Towers and Gift Baskets stand out among New York’s discerning chocolate enthusiasts. We loved the box of 30 Chocolate Mini Presents at $25 these bite-sized solid premium milk chocolates wrapped in Italian foil are perfect for filling stockings or party favors. Gluten Free. Kosher Certified.
Li-Lac Chocolates are fresh, gourmet chocolate hand-crafted in small batches for exceptional quality and superior taste. They also come in dairy free, sugar free and Kosher certified making them perfect for the family. These chocolates are creamy, tasty and so delightfully sinful.
Handmade in Brooklyn, not only are you supporting a local business but freshness is guaranteed.
Li Lac Chocolates are now my go to chocolate place for gifts.
Events
Ziploc and Milk Bar Host Holiday Mixer

It was the holiday mixer that hit all the sweet notes.
Milk Bar founder Christina Tosi and Ziploc hosted a fun interactive holiday party at the New York City Milk Bar flagship location on November 29. Attendees at the special affair got to hear Christina’s tips and tricks for the holiday season, as well as see Ziploc’s latest innovation, the Stay Open Design bags.
“Ziploc bags have been a favorite tool of mine since I started baking because they are so versatile and easy to use. From rolling out and freezing dough to ensuring my baked goods always stays fresh, there’s no shortage of ways that I use Ziploc® at home and in our bakeries,” she said. “The new Ziploc® Stay Open Design bags help give me an extra set of hands in the kitchen. As soon as I tried them, I was immediately reminded of mixing puppy chow in a Ziploc® bag as a child, and I knew this would be another perfect collaboration.”
Teaming up for the release the bakery’s first-ever, limited-edition take on “puppy chow” dessert – Ziploc x Milk Bar Holiday Mix – is a perfect way to start December. Perfect for festive gatherings, hosting gifts, stocking stuffers, family road trips and long sessions on the couch watching holiday movies, the offering features popular holiday flavors, including corn square cereal, white chocolate, cookie butter, sprinkles, and sugar cookie pieces.
Each bag of the Ziploc® x Milk Bar Holiday Mix comes pre-packaged in a quart-size Ziploc® Stay Open Design storage bag. Ziploc®‘s latest innovation helps ensure the contents will stay fresh and easily snackable thanks to a cuffed opening and patented stand up bottom that keeps it upright and open for filling and sharing with confidence. For the month of December, pick up a bag at the New York City, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles Milk Bar stores for just $7, plus tax, while supplies last.
And, for anyone in NYC, starting December 1, you can also book the perfect holiday activity, a build-your-own holiday mix-making experience! Attendees will learn Christina Tosi’s tips and tricks with the Milk Bar expert bakers and walk away with a gallon-size bag of holiday mix gifting for their own enjoyment.
For those not located near a Milk Bar store, don’t worry! Milk Bar and Ziploc® are sharing the exclusive recipe for free on both of their websites – a wonderful opportunity for a festive home activity with friends and family. Ziploc® also created a one-stop shop, to easily find all the ingredients needed at Amazon, Target or Walmart, including Ziploc® Stay Open Design bags that allow for easily folding, filling, scooping and snacking.
Photos by AP for Ziploc®
Food and Drink
Lifevine Brings a Sparkle to Your Holiday Party

Lifevine is a wine that is oh so fine this holiday season for all the right reasons.
If you are looking for an alternative for drinking this holiday season look no further than these incredible bottles that will forever find a place in your home.
The wine brand with zero sugar is a wine lovers dream. All in the brand’s portfolio is excellent in every single sip and it feels oh so good to know it is one of the first wines to list both serving facts and ingredients on the bottle. They believe in providing you the transparency you deserve so that you can make the best choices about what you put in your body.
As the company states, “We set out to produce a wine to fit your active lifestyle. We wanted a wine that offered excellent taste, purity, zero sugar* and full transparency. That is why we created Lifevine. We are committed to the highest level of transparency because we believe you should know what’s in your wine. Beyond zero sugar*, we want our wine to be free of harmful toxins and pesticides, without compromising quality or flavor. For this reason, we lab test all of our wines and submit them to a 3rd party standards organization to certify and award for things like organic and purity.”
Your holiday parties are set to buzz with delight with such an amazing alternative that tastes great and will not make you feel guilty the next day.
Varietals include Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and more. Lifevine is lab tested for purity, certified pesticide free and committed to label transparency.
Here is to your perfect holiday with Lifevine.
Entertainment
Park Terrace Hotel, Hotel Chocolat and Ofreh

Hotel Chocolat kicked-off the holidays and unveil the Velvetiser‘s pop-up for the season.
We miss the fireworks at the Bryant Park Christmas Tree lighting ceremony but we did watch Ofreh sing Christmas (Baby Please Come Home). Click here to hear her husband Andy Karl singing “Sleigh Bells”.
There was plenty of holiday cheer, a holiday sing-along and plenty of European style hot chocolate, festive cocktails and bites. What a way to start the season.
Food and Drink
Did You Know You Can Have Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Did you know Tiffany & Co. has the Blue Box Café on the fourth floor nestled within The Landmark, store Tiffany’s 5th Avenue. Inspired by the iconic Tiffany’s heritage, Daniel Boulud, opened a charmingly elegant café that offers three signature culinary experiences for elevated daytime dining.
You can order Breakfast at Tiffany’s | $59. This includes a plain Croissant, Oranais and apricot danish, Madeleine a french butter cake, Parfait Framboise Hampton’s granola, raspberry coulis, Pineapple Rosace with kiwi, lychee, pomegranate, vanilla, lime, Egg In A Shell scrambled egg and caviar. To drink a glass of Golightly, carrot, orange, pineapple, mango and ginger.
There is also Holly’s Favorites | $34. This includes a Croissant, Jam, Fresh Fruit Juice and cafe or Chocolat Chaud.
Tea At Tiffany’s| $98. This includes
egg & watercress
cucumber, dill & cream cheese
smoked salmon “bagel”
chicken curry & mango chutney
corned beef, mustard & pickles
Scones: traditional scones, jam and double cream
Cookies: canelé, madeleine and coconut rocher
Pastries
spiced cranberry eton mess
dulce de leche éclair
apple tatin
dark chocolate & orange cube
Your Choice of Belloc Tea: assortments of black, oolong, green, matcha, white, and herbal teas
and a glass of Champagne.
Hervé Rafflin, Brut NV | 30
La Caravelle, Rosé Brut | 35
Ruinart Blanc de Blanc Brut | 70
There is also a Seasonal Menu which has Caviar, soup, salads, quiche, Salmon, baked eggplant, lobster salad, duck terrine, pasta, black angus cheddar cheeseburger, brioche potato bun, french fries and an assortment of desserts.
Have I made you hungry yet? Well head to Tiffany’s for the perfect upscale holiday treat. Maybe, just maybe you’ll also be able to get some shopping in as well.
-
Food and Drink3 days ago
Lifevine Brings a Sparkle to Your Holiday Party
-
Out of Town5 days ago
“The Father and the Assassin” Enlightens and Questions at the National Theatre, London
-
Broadway5 days ago
Can’t Wait For Boop To Come To Broadway
-
Events5 days ago
Reverse Manhattanhenge Brings Magic To Manhattan
-
Events3 days ago
Park Lane New York & Moët & Chandon Bring Snow Bunny Delight to Darling
-
Broadway4 days ago
Broadway’s Harmony Sounds Great But Lacks Emotive Power
-
Food and Drink5 days ago
Did You Know You Can Have Breakfast at Tiffany’s
-
Art5 days ago
The Immersive Art of Chagall