Anthony Bourdain’s presence will be felt for many, many years to come in the halls of the Culinary Institute of America as they named a main hallway after the chef.
A plaque bearing Bourdain’s image was unveiled in the newly named "Les Halles D'Anthony Bourdain" at Roth Hall and will remind students of the great chef’s legacy. It is all the more poignant considering it is in these halls that Bourdain himself learned the culinary skills to take up a position at Brasserie Les Halles, the New York City restaurant, where he first gained recognition and beyond, around the world, while fronting his show for CNN ‘Parts Unknown’.
Bourdain graduated from the Hyde Park school, the CIA, in 1978 and his legacy was the topic of conversation at a naming ceremony last Friday at the Institute.
It's a really rare occasion when the CIA honours someone by naming a major facility after them," said CIA President Tim Ryan. "When we do, it's for people who have had a ground-breaking impact on our industry, on our college and, especially, our students...Tony Bourdain certainly falls into that category."
Bourdain maintained a close relationship with the Culinary Institute of America and as recently as December 2017, gave the commencement address, receiving an honorary doctorate at the same time.
Present at the dedication ceremony were chefs and close friends of Bourdain Eric Ripert and José Andrés, both of whom worked with the CIA on the Anthony Bourdain Legacy Scholarship fund.
The scholarship was funded by numerous private donations as well as donations from the chefs family from proceeds of an auction of Bourdain’s personal belongings.
"Tony touched the heart of so many people," Ripert said of Bourdain. "Not only in our field, not only in America but worldwide. He inspired us."