[fsckboy]

I contend Anthony Bourdain didn't actually know good food from bad. I have nothing against him, I enjoyed his show, it was quite engaging, and I wanted him to dispense good information--so I could use it--but his recommendations, for instance in the NY City area, were awful. (he prided himself on not describing the food he was trying, all he ever would say it is, "that's good".)

His career as a chef was at a brasserie serving brasserie fare which is basically like working at a French diner, not necessarily anything that's going to educate your palate.

Again, not criticizing him, I'm actually envious, I wish I could be happy eating mediocre food, my life would be much simpler.

[pigsty]

The elevation of haute cuisine as “good” and common folk food as “mediocre” is strange to me.

Sometimes a cheap-ass $5 meal really does satisfy people far more than a Michelin star restaurant. Humble bragging about only being able to enjoy non-normie food sounds silly and unrefined, really.

[fsckboy]

I'm not referring to that. I'm referring to things like "what's the best pho" or pizza or pupusa or ramen

I do think as a chef learning haute cuisine is learning useful things about cooking and what makes some bread better than other bread, and what consistency a sauce should have and how to achieve it.