Unnatural impiety
A few times I've come across Anthony Bourdain's food show No Reservations. Bourdain is the "bad
boy" of TV gourmets--he's profane and sarcastic, and apparently an erstwhile
user of hard drugs. This is, of course, a different persona for a host of a
food show. Apparently viewers are intrigued by Bourdain as an edgy alternative
to the always-bright-eyed enthusiasm displayed by the usual food show host.
Still, Bourdain's persona strikes me as deeply incongruous in a
theological way. A celebration of food and of the amazing tastes and textures
of the world seems incompatible with cynicism. Working with food should call
forth some enthusiasm. Maybe even reverence. Some kind of natural piety.
