The Green Quote: Bourdain Says Local-Food Champion Alice Waters Is Annoying

by Michael Parrish DuDell January 30, 2009
Categories:
Tags: anthony bourdain.

“Alice Waters annoys the living s%#* out of me. We’re all in the middle of a recession, like we’re all going to start buying expensive organic food and running to the green market. There’s something very Khmer Rouge about Alice Waters that has become unrealistic. I mean I’m not crazy about our obsession with corn or ethanol and all that, but I’m a little uncomfortable with legislating good eating habits.”

- Anthony Bourdain in an interview with dcist.com. What do you think about Bourdain’s comment? I know I’ll continue to support my green market. What about you?

VeggieTart

This is the asshole who compared vegans to hezbollah. He can, quite, frankly, kiss my patootie.
Adriana

No one takes Bourdain seriously; he’s a chain-smoking clown whose mission is to prove to the world that he’s a badass maverick and an anti-elitist. His TV programs are embarrassing, truly cringe-inducing, and his books may be even worse. Gross.

Stick with Pollan, Waters, Bitman, Oliver, Fearnley-Whittingstall, and Puck if you want an opinion on food or agriculture; I don’t always agree with them, but at least they know what they’re talking about.
http://BrainyBlonde.com erin

I have no idea who this loser is (so looked him up- and he’s a chef?! who doesn’t care about healthy eating?

he looks like a washed up rocker wanna be who failed miserably…

I’d put him right up there with that G chef. what’s his name? the one whose restaurants are going belly up who hates vegetarians?!

E
http://RawfoodsRetreat.com erin

PS he needs to go to my retreat. (yes I changed my link when you click on my name now – no more brainy… hello vegan retreat

E
jamie lynn

recession? money is no object when it comes to my health and the state of the environment. most people pay more for cable TV than they do on good food! ridiculous. i want to eat good no matter what the cost in dollars.
Rachelle

He’s known for dissing vegetarians too.
Adriana

Responsible producers need our support now more than ever. We really do vote with our dollars, and I’m voting for stewardship of the environment and other animals.
http://www.vegspinz.blogspot.com DJ Karma (of VegSpinz)

I cringe too when he disses the vegans, but I have seen an episode or two when he did our cause a service. One was when he was extremely repulsed by watching a cow get castrated without anesthesia, and actually got a bit emotional. The other was when he commented on how incredibly tasty the vegetarian dishes were in one of the Asian countries (can’t remember). Yes I am a closet fan at times, because he is a talented and funny writer and a great chef- just hasn’t seen the “light” yet about the importance of veganism. Who knows? With all that chain smoking and brain-eating, his own health may sway him to be more sensitive. He, like many others are threatened by the idea of giving up meat, and I think the more we hate on them, the more they cling to they’re old ideals. Reasoning with them may not make them change, but it most probably will plant a seed. I say this because I used to think like him, and am now vegan.
Adriana

That’s a good attitude, DJ Karma. I don’t have a whole lot of hope for Bourdain, but maybe you’re right.
http://elainevigneault.com Elaine Vigneault

Ugh, I hate that man.

You know how people seem more attractive when they share your interests and values? With Bourdain it’s the opposite. He’s the ugliest man I’ve ever seen. I can’t stand his face. DISGUSTING.
http://www.remyc.com RemyC

I had to Google who this guy was…
yodel yo-del

erin, vegans are idiots but at least your’s sort of good-looking, even if not brainy ;-P
Shae

I adore Alice Waters and Anthony Bourdain. They are both great at what they do in different areas of the same field and if you were to study either you would find respect for both in different ways. This quote I think should be taken with a grain of salt and considered somewhat out of contexts. Besides, Bourdain likes to be an asshole! He probably partly said it just to piss off some hippy vegetarians… And by the way i’m a Pescatarian (has been both vegan and Vegetarian) pastry chef in Athens, Georgia. I also see a lot of truth in what he says… It’s not as simple as eat organic. We need to get more systems in place in areas not as affluent as Berkley that help teach about growing your own food and community gardens. Education is key!
Krees

From the genius of Marc Maron, “What’s the difference between a vegan, and atheist, and a christian? The christian admits they aren’t perfect”
And Alice Walters is a little annoying, she is on the right side of the argument but she jesus, relax a little.