Top Chef judge Padma Lakshmi leads online chorus of happy birthday wishes for Anthony Bourdain

Renown chefs are paying tribute to food icon Anthony Bourdain on what would have been his 62nd birthday on Monday.

The celebrity chef and food critic tragically committed suicide in his French hotel room on June 8 as he was filming a CNN series on culinary traditions. 

Padma Lakshmi, who shared a seat with Bourdain on the Top Chef judge panel since 2006, led a chorus of birthday messages saying: ‘Thinking of you on your birthday.’

Top Chef judge Padma Lashkmi is one of many culinary icons who have paid tribute to Anthony Bourdain on Monday, the day he would have turned 62

Lakshmi shared an image of a mural of Bourdain, who she worked with as a judge on Top Chef since 2006, pictured above together on the show

Lakshmi shared an image of a mural of Bourdain, who she worked with as a judge on Top Chef since 2006, pictured above together on the show

Bizarre Foods TV show host Andrew Zimmern also paid tribute to his friend, sharing an image of the two at a wine festival in 2011

Bizarre Foods TV show host Andrew Zimmern also paid tribute to his friend, sharing an image of the two at a wine festival in 2011

Momofuku founder and Ugly Delicious show host David Chang posted this picture on Instagram saying: 'Happy Birthday Tony. We all miss you so much'

Momofuku founder and Ugly Delicious show host David Chang posted this picture on Instagram saying: ‘Happy Birthday Tony. We all miss you so much’

She shared a picture of a mural painted by artist Jonas Never in Santa Monica, California depicting Bourdain serving his signature smile.

Following in tow were Top chef contestant Richard Blais, Travel Channel chef Andrew Zimmern and Momofuku founder and Ugly Delicious show host David Chang.

Blais shared the same mural on his Instagram to observe Bourdain’s birthday saying: ‘Happy Birthday Chef. Amazing tribute work from @never1959 on the West Side.’  

Upon Bourdain’s sudden death weeks earlier, Blais mourned his loss on social media. 

‘Personally Tony’s words, his praise and or critique of my work just always registered as somehow more important…When his critique came, you appreciated him calling it out and it forced you to look in the mirror and be better. He made us better in so many ways,’ he wrote online.

Top Chef contestant Richard Blais shared this mural, painted by artist Jonas Never in Santa Monica, with a happy birthday message

Top Chef contestant Richard Blais shared this mural, painted by artist Jonas Never in Santa Monica, with a happy birthday message

On the day of Bourdain's death Zimmern shared this image wearing his dear friend's boots to work in memory of their friendship

On the day of Bourdain’s death Zimmern shared this image wearing his dear friend’s boots to work in memory of their friendship

Following his death fans and friends left tributes on the facade of Bourdain's restaurant Brasserie Les Halles in New York City 

Following his death fans and friends left tributes on the facade of Bourdain’s restaurant Brasserie Les Halles in New York City 

A closer look at the notes and photos left outside Brasserie Les Halles following his death

A closer look at the notes and photos left outside Brasserie Les Halles following his death

In loving memory: This tribute was left at Emeril's, an upscale restaurant in New Orleans 

In loving memory: This tribute was left at Emeril’s, an upscale restaurant in New Orleans 

Bizarre Foods host Zimmern also took to Instagram to honor Bourdain’s life sharing an image of the two at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival back in 2011.

’60 minutes of non stop laughter, the Wonder Wheel! Happy Birthday buddy. I find myself more than ever asking WWTD? You’re loved and missed in ways you can’t imagine,’ he wrote Monday. 

After the Parts Unknown star took his own life, Zimmern wore his dear friend’s boots to remember his life. 

‘Im so angry this morning. Life is f****** hard and crazy and Tony I love you. Im wearing your boots that I never wore because they were yours, and going to work. Everyone should hug some extra people today. My heart is heavy,’ he wrote on June 8 after news of his death went public.    

The food critic has been open about his history grappling with addiction of heroin and cocaine but no drugs were found in his system at the time of death according to toxicology reports

The food critic has been open about his history grappling with addiction of heroin and cocaine but no drugs were found in his system at the time of death according to toxicology reports

Where it happened: The chef committed suicide at hotel Le Chambard while visiting Kaysersberg, France, for an episode of his CNN show

Where it happened: The chef committed suicide at hotel Le Chambard while visiting Kaysersberg, France, for an episode of his CNN show

His girlfriend who was dating around the time of his death, Asia Argento, shared this image of the two together on Friday with the caption: 'Two weeks without you'

His girlfriend who was dating around the time of his death, Asia Argento, shared this image of the two together on Friday with the caption: ‘Two weeks without you’

Momofuku creator Chang shared a black and white picture smiling with the CNN TV host with the caption: ‘Happy birthday Tony. We all miss you so much.’

Bourdain, a recovering cocaine and heroin addict, committed suicide by hanging while staying at the Le Chambard hotel in Kaysersberg, France, where he was filming an upcoming episode of his CNN show Parts Unknown, according to French media.

He was dating actress Asia Argento – one of Harvey Weinstein’s accusers – and was last seen with her days earlier in Rome.

His close friend Éric Ripert, owner of New York City’s famed Le Bernardin restaurant, found him dead Friday morning. 

Paramedics made efforts for revive Bourdin, before he was pronounced dead.

‘Anthony was a dear friend,’ Ripert later told the New York Times. ‘He was an exceptional human being so inspiring and generous. One of the great storytellers of our time who connected with so many. I wish him peace. My love and prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones.’

He leaves behind his 11-year-old daughter, Ariane, and was married twice to Ottavia Busia and Nancy Putkoski.  



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