Having read Kitchen Confidential and being a fan of A Cook's Tour I was very excited about the creation of this show. Anthony Bourdain travels in exactly the way I would travel if I could: meet up with someone who is familiar with the local food and culture and eat (and drink) at as many places as possible. I thought my exalted opinion of said hero could never waver until Season 5 where he visits the Bay Area with an enormous chip on his shoulder! I've since forgiven him but have marveled at how he's personally evolved through his journey for better and for worse.