Good Cooking: Anthony Bourdain

Calling all hungry people! Get your passports and watering mouths ready because there are 13 places you need to eat before you're six feet under - so try not to die just yet.

In the current issue of Men's Health, the Travel Channel's Anthony Bourdain, host of "No Reservations," tells us where we should gorge on this globe in his article "13 Places to Eat Before You Die." "Any seasoned traveler can tell you that the 'best' meals on the planet are the result of an ephemeral confluence of circumstances. A table at the most expensive restaurant in the world does not guarantee a truly great meal. That said, if you're planning on dying in the near future and want to knock off a list of final, glorious dining experiences, these places would make a very respectable binge...Trust me: This is livin'," Bourdain writes in the magazine. See? I told you not to die just yet, this is very important stuff.

First, a little about Anthony Bourdain through my eyes, since you'll need some background in order to trust his insights as to what your last supper should be -- then we'll move on to the list -- if you're still alive and kickin.'

I watch each episode of "No Reservations" with an insatiable thirst for more. More culture. More food. More people. More cities. More Bourdain. Perhaps it's his blatantly articulate way of describing how the genitals and inner organs of the world's collection of creatures taste as they slide down his throat along with the essence of Stella Artois and a cigarette to top it off that morbidly inspires me. I mean, it happened so fast, like any poor excuse of a heavy addiction. Am I supposed to like this man? He smokes like a blazing forest fire, drinks like...well, let's just say he's well hydrated and swears enough to make Tony Soprano scared.

Anthony began his career sweating butcher knives, menus and china white plates as a chef in New York City at a tiny little place called Les Halles more than 20 years ago. He has also penned more than eight books as a best-selling author ranging from a cookbook to his in your face tell-all, Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly. Is there anything he can't do? Probably not -- he's a professional badass.

Of course, under all tough guy exteriors, there is a caring and sensitive man (I could be lying, but I tell myself this all the time) and in Tony's case, he seems to be turning into a budding philanthropist and I don't even think he realizes it. His books are often raffled off at auctions in which all proceeds benefit such charities like Action Against Hunger -- one of the leading organizations in the fight against hunger and malnutrition worldwide -- and attends dinners such as his recent stint in April 2009 at the 6th annual "Can-Do Awards," hosted by the Food Bank for New York City, which raised more than 5 million meals for New Yorkers in need.

"No Reservations" isn't just about what Anthony lovingly refers to as "food porn," but instead offers a little glimpse into the -- dare I say, altruistic side of Anthony Bourdain? Featured on an episode filmed in Sri Lanka was a man named Kushil Gunasekera and his charity Foundation of Goodness (FoG). The charity's mission is to "empower the less privileged rural communities, whilst inculcating the spirit of goodness, so that they may have equal opportunities to excel in life." For the in-depth story and photos, check out the foundation's site. Also, while filming an episode in Washington D.C., Bourdain lent a helping hand at the D.C. Central Kitchen. All together now...awww!

French Polynesia, Berlin, Russia, Ghana, Ireland, Brazil - the list is as long and awe-inspiring as The Great Wall of China. This mother-of-pearl-of-a-man has gleefully inhaled such foods that only seem fitting for macabre nightmares with vampire bats and cannibals. Care to share raw bloody seal on an Inuit's kitchen floor in Quebec, anyone? Or perhaps start with a fresh beating heart of a cobra? Didn't think so. I'm telling you, this guy can walk the walk and talk the talk and you'll be surprised as to how informative and intelligent this "globe-trotting hedonist known as the 'gastronomic Indiana Jones" really is. If you're craving some perspective, he'll give it to you. He is also the only human on God's great Earth (whom I've heard of) who can compare a pig roast in Romania to a Brazilian Bikini Wax.

Well here we are, congratulations! You made it through alive and I hope you're starved. Here is a glimpse at the golden list but check out his article for his very specific and frank reasons as to why you need to eat there. Want a little taste? Ok, here is Anthony's reason as to why elBulli (Girona, Spain) is a must: "It's the hardest reservation in the world. And everything they say is true: It's an adventure, a challenge, a delicious and always fun acid trip to the farthest reaches of creativity...Love it or hate it, if you have the opportunity to wangle a reservation, do it. It's like seeing Jimi Hendrix's first show. Forget any preconceptions you might have."

Hungry for more? Check out the list:

1) St. John (London)
2) elBulli (Girona, Spain)    
3) The French Laundry (Napa Valley, California)
4) Per Se (New York City)    
5) Sin Huat Eating House (Singapore)
6) Le Bernardin (New York City)
7) Salumi (Seattle)
8) Russ & Daughters (New York City)
9) Katz's Delicatessen (New York City)
10) Etxebarri (Axpe, Spain)
11) Sukiyabashi Jiro (Tokyo)
12) Hot Doug's (Chicago)
13) Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue (Kansas City, Kansas)

One last word -- or food for thought, if you will. Anthony Bourdain constantly reminds his audience how hard it was to work in the industry - from chef to waiter. So always remember, as Tony always so eloquently states, "Tip, Bitch!" Don't say I didn't warn you.

Photo: 6th Annual Can-Do Awards

NEW YORK - APRIL 21: TV Personality Anthony Bourdain attends the 6th annual Can-Do Awards dinner and auction hosted by the Food Bank for New York City at Abigail Kirsch's Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers on April 21, 2009 in New York City, New York. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)