A Cook's Tour

Watch A Cook's Tour

  • TV-PG
  • 2002
  • 2 Seasons
  • 8.3  (905)

A Cook's Tour was a television series on Food Network that premiered in 2002 and ran until 2003. Hosted by the late Anthony Bourdain, it was a travel and food show that explored the cuisine and culture of different countries around the world. The show was based on Bourdain's book of the same name, which chronicled his experiences as a professional chef traveling the world in search of great food.

The show's format centered around Bourdain's visits to various countries, where he immersed himself in the local culture, met with locals, and ate their cuisine. Each episode featured a different destination, ranging from Tokyo and Vietnam to Mexico and Spain.

One of the show's main draws was Bourdain's no-holds-barred approach to exploring local cuisine. He was willing to try any dish, no matter how unusual or seemingly unappetizing, and often sampled exotic meats and unusual preparations. He was also not afraid to speak his mind about a dish, and his brutally honest opinions could be amusing, if not always flattering to the local cuisine.

The show was notable for its gorgeous cinematography, which highlighted the beauty of each country and its food in stunning detail. Bourdain often visited local markets, farms, and restaurants, and the cameras captured the sights, sounds, and smells of each location. The show's visuals provided a powerful backdrop for Bourdain's stories and observations, and gave viewers a sense of the depth and diversity of cultures and cuisines around the world.

In addition to exploring local cuisine, A Cook's Tour also delved into the history and culture of each country Bourdain visited. He met with locals from all walks of life, including chefs, farmers, street vendors, and other food experts, and learned about the country's customs, traditions, and history. Bourdain was a thoughtful and engaging interviewer, and his conversations with locals provided insights into the workings of each country's food system and culture.

Another highlight of the show was Bourdain's irreverent and often humorous commentary. He had a gift for storytelling, and his observations were witty, insightful, and occasionally profane. His commentary gave the show a rebellious edge, and made it stand out from more staid cooking and travel shows.

A Cook's Tour ended after only two seasons, but it has remained a beloved classic amongst food and travel enthusiasts. The show was a precursor to Bourdain's later work, which focused more on the cultural and political issues of each country he visited. However, A Cook's Tour remains a testament to Bourdain's passion for food, his curiosity about different cultures, and his talent for storytelling. It is a must-see for anyone who loves food, travel, or great storytelling.

A Cook's Tour is a series that is currently running and has 2 seasons (45 episodes). The series first aired on January 7, 2002.

A Cook's Tour
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Seasons
Thailand: One Night in Bangkok
13. Thailand: One Night in Bangkok
June 27, 2003
Bangkok, Thailand - A spontaneous layover in Bangkok leads Tony into the city, where he tries strange meals of deep fried frog skins and pla rah - a fish paste that has fermented for three months to a year.
The BBQ Triangle
12. The BBQ Triangle
June 13, 2003
Kansas City, KS Houston, TX NC - Which style of BBQ reigns supreme - Kansas City, Houston or North Carolina? Tony journeys to all three, judging the secrets behind sauces, wood pits, and slow smokers.
Gone Bamboo
11. Gone Bamboo
May 30, 2003
Hanoi, Vietnam - Tony returns to his beloved Vietnam to visit his friend, Linh, for the Vietnamese lunar New Year holiday, Tet. Together, the friends enjoy the holiday and indulge in all the exotic delicacies Vietnamese culture offers.
Let's Get Lost
10. Let's Get Lost
May 16, 2003
Chaing Mai, Thailand - Jumping into a Thai tuk tuk taxi, Tony attempts to soak up Thai culture and get lost in the cuisine of Chaing Mai.
own Under: the Wild West of Cooking
9. own Under: the Wild West of Cooking
May 16, 2003
Melbourne, Australia - Melbourne boasts hard-living, good-natured and eccentric food-lovers - Tonys kind of people. In search of the outlaws of food, Tony explores a pasteurization-free cheese factory and an old-world cured jamon workshop.
Singapore: New York in Twenty Years
8. Singapore: New York in Twenty Years
April 18, 2008
Singapore - Tony decides to find the real Singapore with its multicultural restaurants and markets. He samples prescription food dishes, explores the Geyland Serai Market, and rides the clean and efficient subway.
Mad Tony: The Food Warrior
7. Mad Tony: The Food Warrior
April 4, 2003
Sydney, Australia - Tony embarks on a pilgrimage through Australia so he can indulge in a meal made by one of the worlds best chefs, Tetsuya Wakuda.
The Struggle for the Soul of America
6. The Struggle for the Soul of America
March 28, 2003
Minneapolis, MN - Tony travels to the grain belt capitol, Minneapolis, to inspect the conflict between creative independent operators and generic franchises.
Elements of a Great Bar
5. Elements of a Great Bar
March 21, 2003
New York, NY - Join Tony on his quest to characterize the perfect bar. With him, discover the importance of a maniacal bartender, the proper chemical makeup of drinks, the joys of seedy dive-bars and the need for late night snacks.
How to Be a Carioca
4. How to Be a Carioca
March 14, 2003
Brazil - What is a Carioca? These natives of Rio, are lovable scamps who find ways to avoid work, preferring the beach, flirting and hanging out at restaurants and bars. Tony, under the tutelage of an exemplary Carioca, gives the lifestyle a try.
A Mystical World
3. A Mystical World
March 7, 2003
Salvador, Brazil - Known as Brazils capital of happiness, Salvador da Bahia offers fruitful local markets and rich Bahian cuisine. Here, Tony takes part in a traditional ceremony and experiences the culinary talents of the famous Bahian, Chef Dada.
No Beads, No Babes, No Bourbon Street
2. No Beads, No Babes, No Bourbon Street
February 27, 2003
New Orleans, LA - In New Orleans, Tony catches a Bayou alligator, cools off with a world famous sno cone, gets in trouble with the law, eats jambalaya with a dancing chef and, finally, relaxes to some local jazz.
Food Tastes Better With Sand Between Your Toes
1. Food Tastes Better With Sand Between Your Toes
February 20, 2003
St. Martin - In this Caribbean paradise, Tony eats a healthy Rastafarian meal with a freedom fighter, helps prepare grub for a food caravan, discovers foodstuffs not available at American supermarkets and, finally, relaxes at a beach bar.
A Mystic World
203. A Mystic World
January 1, 2003
Salvador da Bahia offers fruitful local markets and rich Bahian cuisine. Tony takes part in a traditional local ceremony and experiences cuisine by the famous Chef Dada.
Down Under: The Wild West of Cooking
209. Down Under: The Wild West of Cooking
May 2, 2003
Melbourne, Australia: Melbourne boasts hard-living, good-natured and eccentric food-lovers - Tonys kind of people. In search of the outlaws of food, Tony explores a pasteurization-free cheese factory and an old-world cured jamon workshop.
Description
Where to Watch A Cook's Tour
A Cook's Tour is available for streaming on the Food Network website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch A Cook's Tour on demand at Amazon Prime, Amazon, Vudu and Hoopla.
  • Premiere Date
    January 7, 2002
  • IMDB Rating
    8.3  (905)