By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Jul 22, 2021 at 11:01 AM

“It’s been an adventure. We took some casualties over the years. Things got broken. Things got lost. But I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” - Anthony Bourdain, “Kitchen Confidential”

It’s been just over three years since the food world lost renowned chef, author and popular television host Anthony Bourdain, a celeb whose work – in the course of his all-too-brief time on this earth – inspired countless chefs, eaters, cooks, writers and intrepid travellers.

But Cooking Channel is giving us all an opportunity to relive and remember the candid brilliance of his influence on the world of food during a special marathon of the award-winning series “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.”

The marathon, which will run for 21 straight hours, is slated to air on Friday, July 23 beginning at 6 a.m. CST, allowing audiences to take a look back and relive his memorable culinary travels and gastronomic excursions.

Featured episodes

6 a.m.:  Chile
“Chile's cuisine reflects its topographical diversity, consisting of gorgeous landscapes, beautiful mountains and breathtaking flora and fauna. While there, Tony not only samples this delicious cuisine but also does some exploring in this land of extremes.”

7 a.m.: Cajun Country
“Tony travels beyond New Orleans and into Cajun Country, to find what sets the bayou culture apart from the mainland. He dines with two famous locals, Wendell Pierce and Lolis Elie, then ends his trip at an authentic crawfish boil.”

8 a.m.: Mexico
Tony Bourdain heads to Mexico with Carlos, who took over Tony's old job as head chef at Les Halles. One of many who have crossed the border to achieve the American dream, Carlos gives Tony a tour of his hometown of Puebla and nearby Mexico City.

9 a.m.: Saudi Arabia
“After a nationwide casting call, No Reservations fanatic Danya Alhamrani was chosen to show off her hometown of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Tony and Danya explore the cuisine, culture and heritage of Saudi Arabia that few Westerners have ever seen.”

10 a.m.: San Francisco
“Tony visits San Francisco, a city of districts and contradictions, each one with its own quirks and flavors. He tries the famous bacon maple latte at the otherwise vegan Pirate Cat Radio, dines at "a temple of old-school meat" and puts away course after course of fresh sushi.”

11 a.m.: Croatian Coast
“Less than two decades after its brutal war for independence, Croatia is now touted as The New Riviera. Celebrities and oligarchs swarm the coastal islands as foodies roam the hills in search of truffles, wild asparagus and local wines. Anthony Bourdain explores the Istria and Dalmatian regions.”

12 p.m.: Mozambique
“Tony visits Mozambique and finds that despite it's difficult history and challenges to overcome, it's a place with a brighter future. Today, this post-colonial Africa is full of optimism.

1 p.m.: Thailand
“The Thai cuisine blends five fundamental flavors: sweet, spicy, sour, bitter and salty. To experience each of these tastes, Tony explores the bustling streets of Bangkok and

2 p.m.: Egypt
“Egypt is one of the oldest civilizations on Earth. In an effort to avoid the lines of tour buses snaking their way to the Sphinx, Tony visits with Egyptian locals to get a taste for what it means to be Egyptian.”

3 p.m.: Cuba
“In a stadium filled with exuberant fans, Tony experiences baseball through the eyes of the Cuban spectator. Then he visits Robert Salas, who shares some remarkable photographs of Castro and the revolution.”

4 p.m.: Austin
“Tony heads to Austin, Texas during South by Southwest - an international music festival. He hangs out with the band Sleigh Bells and enjoys roasted pig and crawfish with sausage followed by a tattoo given by the band's guitarist.”

5 p.m.: Emilia Romagna
“Tony travels to Emilia Romagna, the breadbasket of Italy, with acclaimed New York Chef Michael White. In a red Ferrari California, the two travel across the region, sampling the foods that make this part of Italy great: culatello, balsamic vinegar, Sangiovese wine, and a variety of cheeses. Tony also dines at Ristorante San Domenico, a bastion of Italian noble cuisine, where Chef White apprenticed under acclaimed chef Gianluigi Morini.”

6 p.m.: Tokyo
“Tony is off to Tokyo in search of the relationship between a perfect piece of sushi and a perfect knife blade, the common ground shared by the martial artistry of kendo and the subtle aesthetics of Japanese flower arranging.”

7 p.m.: Liberia
“Tony heads to Liberia, the first independent nation in Africa settled by freed American slaves in 1847. Over a sampling of traditional foods, Tony meets with locals to hear stories about their lives in Africa and get insight into Liberia's readiness to move on from its troubling past.”

8 p.m.: Back to Beirut
“In 2006, Tony and his crew traveled to Beirut to shoot a typical episode in typical fashion. What took place was anything but typical, as the crew found themselves in the middle of violence. In 2010, Tony returned to Beirut to finish the job.”

9 p.m.: Paris
“In Paris, Tony gets to know a little bit about the lives of the city's working class, and he explores the varied ethnic communities that contribute to the pulse of Paris.”

10 p.m.: Kerala, India
“Tony visits Kerala, a state mostly devoid of the extreme poverty seen elsewhere in India and virtually untouched by Western chains or franchises. He's treated to street food to home-cooked meals and gets to visit with Keralan superstar Mammootty on the set of his newest action film.”

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.