In 2012, Marilyn Hagerty (Pictured) became an online sensation after her food column went viral for its earnest description of the chain restaurant
A woman who was mercilessly teased on the Internet for her rave review of her local Olive Garden remembered Anthony Bourdain for his kindness and generosity on Friday.
In 2012, Marilyn Hagerty became an online sensation after her food column went viral for its earnest description of the chain restaurant.
The then 88-year-old appeared to be amazed by the new Olive Garden, calling it ‘the largest and most beautiful restaurant now operating in Grand Forks.’
‘The chicken Alfredo ($10.95) was warm and comforting on a cold day. The portion was generous. My server was ready with Parmesan cheese,’ she wrote in the local Grand Forks Herald.
The review instantly became a hit. It also earned plenty of sarcastic comments aimed at the octogenarian’s wholesome outlook on the Italian eatery, according to Buzzfeed.
As Hagerty sustained a barrage of insults from her anonymous online harassers, Bourdain came to her defense and shut down the attacks, praising her ‘triumph over the snarkologists’ on social media.
Anthony Bourdain (Pictured), 61, was found dead inside the Le Chambard hotel in Kaysersberg, France, on Friday where he was filming an upcoming episode of his show
As Hagerty sustained a barrage of insults from her anonymous detractors, Bourdain came to her defense and shut down the attacks
‘Anthony Bourdain spoke up for me at a time when people all over the country were making great fun of the column I write,’ Hagerty told Buzzfeed on Friday.
The attention soon culminated in the New York Times flying Hagerty out to the Big Apple to write a review of a hot dog.
While in Manhattan, Hagerty met Bourdain for a cup of coffee. According to Buzzfeed, the encounter led to a book deal, with Bourdain offering to edit it and write a foreword.
The book opens with Bourdain praising Hagerty as a knowledgeable food critic with a deep connection to her local community.
‘She is never mean — even when circumstances would clearly excuse a sharp elbow, a cruel remark,’ he wrote.
‘In fact, watching Marilyn struggle to find something nice to say about a place she clearly loathes is part of the fun. She is, unfailingly, a good neighbor and good citizen first — and entertainer second.’
Bourdain would eventually edit and write the foreword to her book after the two met for a cup of coffee in New York
Bourdain, 61, was found dead inside the Le Chambard hotel in Kaysersberg, France, on Friday where he was filming an upcoming episode of his CNN show Parts Unknown, according to French media.
His death was a result from an apparent suicide by hanging.
Hagerty said she heard about Bourdain’s demise early Friday morning after being sent an article from her son.
‘To have a man of his stature rise up and befriend me, it meant a lot to me,’ Hagerty told Buzzfeed.
‘You know, sometimes you go through life and…you think about all the wonderful things that happened to you,’ she said. ‘And one of the wonderful things that happened to me was when Anthony Bourdain spoke up for me and wanted to publish my columns in a book.’