Anthony Bourdain's death weighs heavy on Louisville chefs

Show Caption Hide Caption Celebrities react on Twitter to Anthony Bourdain's death If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255.

If you are having thoughts of suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-8255.

Anthony Lamas was boarding a plane when he heard the news about Anthony Bourdain.

The celebrity chef, host of CNN's "Parts Unknown," had died by an apparent suicide. He was 61.

It came as a massive shock to the owner of Seviche in Louisville, who said the outspoken TV personality and author had partially influenced him to get sober four years ago.

"I'm at a loss for words because he meant a lot to a lot of people," Lamas said early Friday. "He really opened up the eyes of the industry. He told the truth; he wasn't afraid to speak his mind."

More: In one of his last interviews, Anthony Bourdain explains why his show stands out

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Across the globe, Louisville chefs took the news of Bourdain's passing hard.

He was the second celebrity to have been found dead by apparent suicide this week. On Tuesday, fashion designer Kate Spade died at age 55.

Bourdain was found dead in a hotel room in France, where he was working on an episode of his CNN series on culinary traditions around the world, the Associated Press reported.

From New York, Feast BBQ owner Ryan Rogers said Bourdain had inspired him as a young cook in the early 2000s. He'd watched Bourdain's series, "A Cook's Tour," on the Food Network as a college student. "I always felt really connected to the work that he was doing," Rogers said.

From Italy, Fat Lamb owner Dallas McGarity called Bourdain an icon in the culinary world. He'd met the author of "Kitchen Confidential" briefly while backstage at a local event. They's shared bourbon from plastic Solo cups.

From the plane, Lamas said he saw himself in the poorly behaved chef Bourdain described in "Kitchen Confidential," which told of the intense highs and lows of the restaurant industry.

"He was just honest with it, he told the truth, he didn't sugarcoat it at all," Lamas said. "You're reading this and you're almost embarrassed because you've done some of those things. A lot of us, that was a normal kitchen. I came up just around that time. It wasn't glamorous to be a chef. We smoked, drank, hung out. We were like gangs. He brought it out saying, 'Hey, it doesn't have to be that way.'"

Read this: Quotes from Bourdain on life and travel: I'm going to 'die in the saddle'

There's help: Here are some suicide prevention resources in Louisville

Bourdain's memoir "Kitchen Confidential" described what he called the "dark recesses of the restaurant underbelly" and propelled him to a career in television. He joined CNN in 2012 and before that was the host of a travel and food show on the Travel Channel.

Edward Lee, owner of three Louisville restaurants, worked with Bourdain on an episode of “Mind of a Chef,” on which Bourdain served as executive producer.

By email, Lee said he was honored to have known Bourdain, who “painted us a world that was so diverse and vivid and fragrant and complex. He gave us an honest vision of the world that didn't pull punches. He was more than a chef or a TV host. He was a muse and an icon for a generation of creative people and he changed the way the food industry looked at international food.

“A person like that is never forgotten.”

The Louisville chefs said Bourdain was a voice of change in their high-pressure industry. He spoke openly of his personal struggle with addiction and recently attacked the "meathead culture" in the restaurant world.

The Louisville chefs hope Bourdain will continue to inspire change after his death, by renewing conversations about supporting mental health care in the industry.

"There’s a lot of chefs with some type of metal illness thing," McGarity said. "There’s nowhere to go, no one to talk to. Lots people don’t have health insurance and can’t go to a doctor for help. You can’t talk to your peers because everyone is so macho. It’s tough, it’s kind of a silent thing people deal with in the industry. Hopefully this will open the door for that, so people can talk about the way they feel in the kitchen.”

Rogers, who also owns Royals Hot Chicken and Bar Vetti, said his time spent in harsh kitchens has inspired him to create a different model where employees are offered health insurance and are invited to discuss what they're dealing with, as opposed to getting a verbal beating.

"Hopefully we're promoting an environment that is a lot more nurturing," Rogers said. "That being said, there's always more we could do."

Suicide warning signs: Here's what to look for when someone needs help

Lamas said he's made similar changes in his kitchen, and he's noticed that his staff is more open to talking to him.

"We're reminded about this industry that people want to glamorize so much, and they don't realize the pressures that we go through day in and day out," Lamas said. "... At the end of the day, it's a tough job. It's high stress. You're constantly judged daily. We're constantly putting ourselves out there. It's so much pressure.

"I just hate this."

In 2015, there were 44,193 reported suicide deaths in the United States, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. It is the 10th leading cause of death in the country.

There is no single cause of suicide, according to the foundation, but there are some warning signs. Among them: talking about wanting to die, insomnia, losing interest in things, becoming withdrawn from family and friends and finding ways to kill themselves, like hording medicine or buying a gun.

If you are having thoughts of suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-8255.

RIP doubtful. Tony’s restless spirit will roam the earth in search of justice, truth and a great bowl of noodles. @Bourdain — Tom Colicchio (@tomcolicchio) June 8, 2018

I just woke up to the horrible news about my friend @Bourdain. In shock and devastated. One of the most fun and wittiest men I knew. Tony you will be missed. RIP — Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) June 8, 2018

Anthony Bourdain 1956-2018 #RIP ~ a monumental loss; don’t know where to start. Speechless pic.twitter.com/slhff4IHfj — GRAHAM ELLIOT (@grahamelliot) June 8, 2018

Stunned and saddened by the loss of Anthony Bourdain. He brought the world into our homes and inspired so many people to explore cultures and cities through their food. Remember that help is a phone call away US:1-800-273-TALK UK: 116 123 — Gordon Ramsay (@GordonRamsay) June 8, 2018

I am writing with tears in my eyes and a broken heart. The world just got so much smaller. RIP #TonyBourdain pic.twitter.com/PsicBDdGqO — Chef Edward Lee (@chefedwardlee) June 8, 2018

I’m gutted...some of the best times...see you in the other side my friend...@Bourdain pic.twitter.com/mqIxl0PKEq — Jason Merder (@JasonMerder) June 8, 2018

I knew Anthony Bourdain. Not well, but in some weird, kind ways, and I am gutted. Please, please, please be kind to yourself and one another. Restaurant folks, @chefswithissues is here to support you if you need. https://t.co/D6YqQnCWK7 — Kat Kinsman (@kittenwithawhip) June 8, 2018

Tragic news about Anthony Bourdain. Such energy being in his presence. Hanoi, Vietnam 2015 pic.twitter.com/sRKAzvPLds — Pete Souza (@PeteSouza) June 8, 2018

Just saw the sad news that Anthony Bourdain has died. I watched his show when I was in space. It made me feel more connected to the planet, its people and cultures and made my time there more palatable. He inspired me to see the world up close. #RIPAnthonyBourdain pic.twitter.com/Cb6IfmzylN — Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) June 8, 2018

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