Isms Issue May | Page 36

Street Food with Anthony Bourdain I May 2017 [ COME WINTER TIME IN IRAN, STREET VENDORS SELL STEAMING HOT LABOO - PEELED, BOILED BEETS SKEWERED ONE ON TOP OF ANOTHER IN A CART. GIVEN TO YOU WRAPPED INN FOUR PARCHMENTS, HOT TO THE TOUCH, AND YOU EAT IT JUST LIKE THAT, RIGHT THERE ON THE STREET. ] With the fourth season of his CNN series Parts Unknown premiering on September 28, it’s an excellent time to talk to Anthony Bourdain about the highlights of his life on the road. (Coincidentally, we’re chatting at the hotel he rates above all others: the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles.) In the forthcoming season, the globe-trotting chef ventures to offbeat locations such as Tanzania and Iran, focusing on the culture and people of each place as well as the cuisine. He admits it’s his curiosity that drives him to continue exploring. “I like delicious food,” he says, “but I’m just as interested in who’s cooking it and why.” Here, he discusses his favorite destinations, memorable food experiences, and more. From all of your travels, which destination has made the biggest impression on you? I’m crazy for Southeast Asia. I think all of us that work on the show love that part of the world. I love Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia for the flavors, the landscape and the people. Going to Vietnam the first time was life-changing for sure; maybe because it was all so new and different to my life before and the world I grew up in. The food, culture, landscape and smell; they’re all insepa- rable. It just seemed like another planet; a delicious one that sort of sucked me in and never let go. Has anywhere you’ve been truly exceeded your expectations? Iran was amazing, surprising and incredibly friendly, and Colombia is an extraordinarily friendly and welcoming place with delicious food. Uruguay was a very pleasant surprise. On the other end of the spectrum, has any- where been a disappointment? I didn’t have the best time in Romania as it’s d ifficult to shoot there. The government likes to control what you shoot and how you portray things, if at all possible, and the people there are generally uncomfortable around cameras. It wasn’t the most welcoming place I’ve been. Laboo is one of the most popular dishes in Iran. Which doesn’t surprise Bourdain as Beets is one of the countries largest exports. 38 .isms I May 2017 .isms I May 2017 39