Mourning Anthony Bourdain, a Culinary Explorer

To the Editor:

Re “Anthony Bourdain, Chef, Travel Host and Author, Is Dead at 61” (nytimes.com, June 8):

Anthony Bourdain understood the interrelationship of food and culture better than any other chef. It was this understanding that made him look at food in the larger societal context, which in turn made his stories so resonating.

His empathy and down-to-earth personality endeared him to people wherever he went, and helped him gain insights about foods and those who made them.

He was a trailblazing historian of world cuisine and cultures. He will be sorely missed, especially at a time when narrow nationalism seems to be the rising trend.

SHANKAR CHAUDHURI
GLEN RIDGE, N.J.