LAST UPDATE | 8 Jun 2018

TV PRESENTER AND chef Anthony Bourdain has died aged 61.

CNN reported that Bourdain was in France with his friend Eric Ripert when he was found unresponsive in his hotel room. It is understood he took his own life.

Bourdain came to international attention with the publishing of his book Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, about his time working in kitchens as a chef. Known for his no-nonsense and at times macho personality, he went on to present food and travel shows like A Cook’s Tour, No Reservations, The Layover and Parts Unknown.

At the time of his death, he was in France with his friend and fellow chef Eric Ripert working on an episode of Parts Unknown, which airs on CNN. The show had received a Peabody Award in 2013 for “expanding our palates and horizons in equal measure”.

Sometimes called “the original rock star” of the culinary world, his fascination with food in all its forms and desire to sample cuisines around the world made him a hit with food-lovers worldwide.

In a statement on its website, CNN said:

It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain. His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller. His talents never ceased to amaze us and we will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughter and family at this incredibly difficult time.

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