Juday, Janice and pals honor Bourdain’s memory

Beth Tamayo (left) and Judy Ann Santos have copies of his books signed by Anthony Bourdain.

A decade ago, four Filipino celebrities, all avid foodies and aspiring cooks, crossed paths with renowned travel/food show host and chef Anthony Bourdain, who ended his life on June 8.

When they heard that Bourdain would be visiting Gene Gonzalez’s Café Ysabel in San Juan that day, actors Judy Ann Santos, Beth Tamayo, China Cojuangco and Janice de Belen made a beeline for the resto’s cooking school, Center for Asian Culinary Studies.

Juday, Beth and Janice were students then, while fresh grad China was a teacher in the school’s kiddie summer program.

China described the iconoclastic guest as “unique, intelligent, passionate.”

“He was tall, cultured and famous, but in reality, he was very simple. For him, work was fun! And he loved San Miguel Pale Pilsen,” China quipped.

Bestsellers

“When I learned that he would be there, I volunteered and asked chef Gene if I could join them,” Janice recounted. She never got to interact with him much, but she got her copy of Bourdain’s book signed and that was more than enough for her.

Quite understandably, they all came, brandishing the globe-trotting gourmand’s bestsellers (“Kitchen Confidential” for Janice and “The Nasty Bits” for Beth and Juday and…a folder for China), for the much-anticipated autograph-signing session.

China recalled: “He was very accommodating, even though he was tired from his days of travel and work.”

As bonus, Juday scored a short interview with Bourdain!

Bourdain’s signature

A different kind of wisdom

“I remember being so nervous and anxious,” Juday told the Inquirer. “I didn’t know how to talk to him, how to act in front of him, without looking too affected by his presence.”

When he finally arrived, one of the country’s biggest stars “jumped for joy.”

“I was so excited,” she owned up. “My jaw hurt because I was smiling all throughout our chat. Masarap siyang kausap!”

Still, it was nerve-wracking, Juday admitted, “but you’d pick up a different kind of wisdom from him.”

Beth, Juday’s bosom buddy, agreed:“He was really nice and just plain honest. Some people might think he was mayabang (arrogant), but he was just being true to himself.”

Preference for natural, pure

China relayed: “During the taping for a segment of his old show (‘No Reservations’), everyone was stiff and prim and proper.”

But after the shoot, chef Gene, China’s father-in-law, whipped up his celebrated Cocido. “I clearly remember Mr. Tony saying: ‘This is what we should put on the show!’ He wanted an impromptu, rock ’n’ roll, no drama, informal presentation. He preferred things to be natural and pure.”

They were all stunned when they heard of his suicide last week.

China Cojuangco says Bourdain was “unique and yet simple.”

No joke

“Shock followed by sadness,” Juday owned up. “Then you realize that depression is no joke. It spares no one—famous or not, rich or poor. It can hit anyone.”

China concurred: “His death has left a lot of questions. People still lack understanding [of this condition]. May he, and others like him, find peace.”

Janice acknowledged: “It’s sad. It scared me a bit, too. If depression can befall someone who exudes so much strength and life, then it can happen to anyone and you may not even know it.”

Beth related: “Just like the whole world, I was shaken when I heard the news. Being a former New Yorker, I used to wish that I’d bump into him on a random day…in one of the hole-in-the-wall spots in the city.”

Like Juday, Janice and China, Beth remained a fan until the end: “I never saw him again, but I always followed him on social media and in his CNN show, ‘Parts Unknown.’”