Childhood Flavors

Chef Tony Bourdain returns to the place where he first learned to love food as a child, Arcachon, France. It's the birthplace of his father and the place Tony vacationed with his family as a child. Tony's joined by his brother, Chris. Their trip down memory lane is full of sentimental reminisces about food and place, what Tony says is the most important influence in his own food, sense-memory. Tony enjoys many staples, including steak frites, gaufres (waffles), and soupe de pecheur (fisherman's soup). For Tony, the defining moment comes when he heads out on Arcachon Bay to harvest oysters. This shellfish was the first eccentric food Tony ate a young boy, and he claims the experience of shocking his family is what changed his attitude about the power of food. The show concludes with Tony and Chris on the beach, remembering their father with a picnic of baguettes and saucisson a l'aoil (garlic sausage).