Anthony Bourdain in Rome

Why Bourdain?

I love Anthony Bourdain because he felt like the blueprint for the life I’ve always been trying to live: messy, curious, hungry in every sense. As someone who's lived abroad, bounced between cities, always searching for meaning in unfamiliar places, I saw myself in the way he moved through the world. I once wanted to be a chef, and I still carry that same reverence for food as culture, as connection. Now, working in music journalism, I’m drawn to stories that feel lived-in, honest, and a little rough around the edges… just like Bourdain’s. He made it okay to be a little lost, to crave experience over stability, to find poetry in dive bars and dusty kitchens. He wasn’t just an influence… he was a mirror… and here is where I think Bourdain would go to drink and what music he would be listening to.

Introduction to Isabella

Since 2021 I have been delving into the essence of "what culture is." With my large background in Music Journalism, my move to Rome, Italy in January 2024 has allowed me to pursue a more experimental version of my writing, from everything from print writing to short stories. Currently, I stand among the talented Senior Writers at three magazines. My education as a Communications and Media Major with a minor in Creative Writing at John Cabot University allows me to broaden my horizons with a more open ended journey with writing.

What I think Anthony Bourdain would listen at different bars around Rome and why

Why Bourdain?

Introduction to Isabella