Beyond the Plate: Laurie Woolever’s Global Adventures with Anthony Bourdain

Laurie Woolever and Anthony Bourdain at Aqueduct Racetrack, Queens, New York – December 2016. Photo courtesy of CNN and Eater, from the article "How Anthony Bourdain’s Longtime Assistant Made His New Book a Reality."

Laurie Woolever recognized from the outset of their relationship how fortunate she was to work alongside the charismatic and brilliant Anthony Bourdain. Their professional relationship began nearly two decades ago when Bourdain was searching for a recipe editor and tester for his first cookbook, and Woolever, at the time, was looking for a job. What started as a straightforward working arrangement quickly evolved into a dynamic collaboration, with the two exchanging pages and photographs via email, fine-tuning the details of his work with meticulous care.

Despite his relentless travel schedule, Bourdain was astonishingly responsive. No matter where he was in the world, he would answer Woolever’s queries with remarkable speed, his dedication to the craft of storytelling evident in every interaction. She often marveled at his energy and drive, questioning whether he ever truly rested. His passion for discovery and cultural exploration was insatiable—fueled by years spent absorbing books and films as he labored in dimly lit kitchens, preparing for a future he likely never imagined would unfold so dramatically.

“No matter where he was in the world, Tony, as he preferred to be called, would reply quickly to all my queries. I sometimes wondered when and even if he ever slept, so all-encompassing was his passion to explore a world he had educated himself about, through voracious book and film consumption, while toiling in badly lit kitchens for decades as a chef and would-be writer.”

 — Woolever, from an interview with CNN Travel

Five years after their first project together, their lives intersected in another way—both becoming first-time parents around the same time. As Woolever adjusted to life with a newborn, Bourdain was expanding his ever-growing list of projects, producing television, writing books, and maintaining an intense travel schedule. When his longtime assistant moved on, he once again sought help, and Woolever saw an opportunity to transition into a role that allowed her more flexibility while raising her son.

Initially, her responsibilities were practical—managing appointments, keeping his schedule in order, and handling communications. But over time, her role evolved. She became deeply involved in the editorial side of his work, eventually curating books for his publishing imprint and collaborating with him on writing projects. Their partnership culminated in Appetites, a cookbook that reflected Bourdain’s signature wit and love for food, and later, in the early stages of World Travel: An Irreverent Guide, a book that would become a posthumous tribute to his unparalleled storytelling and global curiosity.

Woolever’s time working alongside Bourdain was more than a job—it was a front-row seat to a mind that never stopped questioning, learning, and pushing boundaries. Through their collaborations, she not only helped shape his literary and culinary legacy but also forged her own voice in the world of food writing and travel storytelling.

“Tony gave me the blueprint to his vision and best memories, and the tools to share that vision with the world.”

— Woolever, from her reflection in World Travel: An Irreverent Guide, on completing the book after his passing

Want to read more?

Subscribe to forthewriters.com to keep reading this exclusive post.

Subscribe Now