FRANCE (NEWS CENTER Maine) — Travel and food superstar Anthony Bourdain died of a reported suicide and was found dead Friday, June 8, according to CNN.
The 61-year-old celebrity chef was a gifted storyteller and writer who traveled around the world discovering unique eateries, food and culture.
CNN confirmed his death saying that Bourdain was found unresponsive Friday morning by a friend and chef, Eric Ripert, in a hotel room in Strasbourg, France.
Bourdain had many ties to Maine and visited the Pine Tree State several times.
Cinematographer Zach Zamboni, who worked with Bourdain on his food and travel shows "No Reservations" and "Parts Unknown," has a home in Portland and grew up in Milo. In January 2010, Bourdain ate a traditional bean supper the Milo Town Hall and featured it in his show "No Reservations."
NEWS CENTER Maine caught up with Bourdain who only had kind words about the Milo community and the food they served him.
"For a meal at a town hall on paper plates, that was really good. That was some good food," Bourdain said of his bean supper in 2010.
"It is a world very, very different than my own. I come from a place where you don't know your neighbors. And this was, you know, half the town, maybe, but everybody here knows each other, and there is that sense of community that I am much more familiar with in foreign countries," Bourdain said of the community in Milo.
The visit was featured in season 6, episode 9 of "No Reservations." While in Maine for the episode, Bourdain also visited J's Oyster and Street in Company in Portland, and Conte's and Primo in Rockland.
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, please tell someone or call the suicide prevention hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or 1-888-568-1112 in Maine.