Browse episode ratings trends for A Cook's Tour. Simply click on the interactive rating graph to explore the best and worst of A Cook's Tour's 35 episodes.
Best Episodes of A Cook's Tour
French Laundry Experience
S1 Ep18
8.1
30th Apr 2002
Tony travels to Napa to eat at the restaurant of the chef he believes is the best at French cuisine–Thomas Keller. Keller creates a specialized menu just for Tony, including a course that is pure Tony–tobacco leaf and coffee custard.
A Taste of Tokyo
S1 Ep1
8.1
8th Jan 2002
The Japanese have a healthy respect for food, which Tony can definitely appreciate. A trip through a market with a sushi chef prepares Tony for his dinner. He also eats a meal with sumo wrestlers.
A Pleasing Palate
S1 Ep22
8.1
20th Apr 2002
While the United Kingdom doesn't have the greatest culinary reputation, Tony is determined to find the best in Britain. Some of his choices are exotic, including: goat liver salad, roasted pig's head, ox heart-grilled and breaded pig's tail. He also enjoys a tour through the countryside and a community from India.
San Sebastian: A Food Lover's Town
S1 Ep8
8.0
5th Jul 2002
The Basque food culture in Spain has a rich history and tradition. Tony and Luis Irizar visit gastronomic societies and tapas bars to try and experience all of the tastes.
Hometown Favorites
S1 Ep19
7.9
23rd Apr 2002
Tony decides to share all of his hometown haunts with the viewers. Lox and bagels, wine and dinner, a variety of cheese, and great hot dogs make his list of top stops.
Childhood Flavors
S1 Ep9
7.9
29th Jan 2002
Tony and his brother revisit favorite childhood haunts in Arcachon, France. A memory of an oyster from this place changed the course of Tony's life.
Los Angeles, My Own Heart of Darkness
S1 Ep17
7.8
26th Feb 2002
Tony is apprehensive about the glamorous world of LA, so he begins with hot dogs. After a long day and a guest stint at Campanile, he has gained a new appreciation for the glitz of the City of Angels.
The Cook Who Came in From the Cold
S1 Ep13
7.8
19th Feb 2002
Tony's friend Zamir shows him around St. Petersburg. A product of a childhood during the cold war, Tony fantasizes about being a spy as he eats his way through blinis, borscht, reindeer, pickled salads, and dumplings.
Traditional Tastes
S1 Ep12
7.8
7th May 2002
In Morocco, Tony learns about the rich culinary tradition and home cooking from a British ex-pat.
Elements of a Great Bar
S2 Ep5
7.8
21st Mar 2003
Everyone knows Tony likes to drink, especially after a hard night at Les Halles. In this episode, Tony tries to discover what exactly make the perfect watering hole in New York. Some of his requirements include a loaded juke box, an absence of karaoke, and a bartender who leans towards crazy.
Highland Grub
S1 Ep21
7.7
12th Jul 2002
Tony sets out to prove that Scotland does have tasty options. He begins with a deep fried breakfast of pizza, eggs, and Mars bars. Next, he enjoys a hearty lunch of haggis. Finally, after fishing and hunting across the countryside, he eats a calm dinner at a large estate.
Worst Episodes of A Cook's Tour
One Night in Bangkok
S2 Ep13
6.7
27th Jun 2003
Tony makes a serious of quick and crazy stops. A layover in Bangkok has him meeting a crazy Westerner who introduces him to some interesting foods. Next, he lands in Singapore, where he meets his book editor. They enjoy fish head curry, a notorious dish in Little India. On the last show of the series, Tony visits Bangkok and Chef and author of "Strange Foods", Jerry Hopkins. Jerry has written the book on "edible exotica" and has inspired some of Tony's most outrageous meals.
How to Be a Carioca
S2 Ep4
6.9
14th Mar 2003
Can a Carioca teach Tony the lifestyle? Will Tony be able to relax into the freewheeling life. He can handle the tan, the Brazilian barbecue and the Caipirinhas, but can he handle the speedo?
My Friend Linh
S2 Ep12
6.9
30th May 2003
Vietnam captures Tony's heart. He returns to Hanoi and meets an old friend. The two spend the Vietnamese New Year together at Linh's home for an experience neither will ever forget.
A Mystical World
S2 Ep3
7.0
7th Mar 2003
Known as Brazil's capital of happiness, Salvador da Bahia offers fruitful local markets and rich cuisine. Tony takes part in a traditional local ceremony and experiences the talents of the famous Bahian artist of the kitchen, Chef Dada.
Food Tastes Better with Sand Between Your Toes
S2 Ep1
7.1
21st Feb 2003
Tony starts season 2 in St. Martin laying by the pool, re-living his youth. Over time, he says, this has become his home away from home.
Let's Get Lost
S2 Ep11
7.1
16th May 2003
Tony tries to lose himself in Thailand by trying a variety of new activities. He rides an elephant, eats native cooking with a Thai family, attempts kick-boxing, and experiences an authentic massage.
Mad Tony, The Food Warrior
S2 Ep8
7.2
4th Apr 2003
Tony makes a trip that can only be classified as crazy! He travels half-way round the world to eat the world's best meal at Tetsuya's. Along the way, he must survive the Australian outback and a host of wild characters to make it to his destination.
Down Under: The Wild West of Cooking
S2 Ep9
7.3
2nd May 2003
Tony explores the un-hampered creative cuisine of Australia and discovers just how good the wine can be in this region.
Melbourne has a wealth of things Tony can appreciate, including macho chefs, a food loving culture, and a crazy attitude towards eating.
Singapore: NY in 20 Years
S2 Ep10
7.3
18th Apr 2003
Tony is almost overwhelmed by the amount of food in Singapore. From chicken congee to root beer floats, Tony explores the city. From "wet markets" to the red light district, he is amazed by all the city has to offer.
No Beads, No Babes, No Bourbon Street
S2 Ep2
7.3
28th Feb 2003
There has to be a New Orleans that's just for locals. That's what Tony wants to find. But, will he discover more than he intended? Tony makes his first ever trip to pre-katrina New Orleans where he vows to stay away from the French Quarter, "No Beads, No Boobs, No Bourbon Street".
The BBQ Triangle
S2 Ep7
7.4
13th Jun 2003
Barbecue in America comes in a variety of ways. Tony explores the three largest types when he visits Kansas City, Houston and North Carolina. Each offers their own variation of sauce, smoke, ribs, and brisket.
A Cook's Tour Episode Guide
A Taste of Tokyo
S1 Ep1
8.1
8th Jan 2002
The Japanese have a healthy respect for food, which Tony can definitely appreciate. A trip through a market with a sushi chef prepares Tony for his dinner. He also eats a meal with sumo wrestlers.
Dining with Geishas
S1 Ep2
7.5
12th Jan 2002
In Japan, Tony experiences the contrast between a serene, rural inn for a tea ceremony and the bustling activity of a famous restaurant in Tokyo. Relaxing tea versus dangerous blowfish mark his trip.
Cobra Heart, Food That Makes You Manly
S1 Ep3
7.6
19th Mar 2002
Ho Chi Minh just might make a man out of Tony when he eats fetal duck egg (with feathers), cobra heart and blood.
Eating on the Mekong
S1 Ep4
7.5
15th Jan 2002
A trip down this Vietnamese river makes tony aware of Vietnam's history as well as its portrayal in some of his favorite movies. Phillip Lajeunie joins him as he eats his way through bread, coffee, duck and bird's nest soup.
Wild Delicacies
S1 Ep5
7.7
22nd Jan 2002
Cambodia both attracts and repels Tony. Crickets, tripe and tongue are all fine; but a bright green jelly isn't to his liking. Finally, he must come to terms with durian– a fruit that smells worse than it tastes.
Eating on the Edge of Nowhere
S1 Ep6
7.6
26th Mar 2002
Tony floats on the heart of darkness river. Three soldiers commandeer his boat, but a tasty dinner makes it all fine.
Cod Crazy
S1 Ep7
7.6
17th Jun 2002
Wine and fish figure prominently in this episode as Tony explores Portugal.
San Sebastian: A Food Lover's Town
S1 Ep8
8.0
5th Jul 2002
The Basque food culture in Spain has a rich history and tradition. Tony and Luis Irizar visit gastronomic societies and tapas bars to try and experience all of the tastes.
Childhood Flavors
S1 Ep9
7.9
29th Jan 2002
Tony and his brother revisit favorite childhood haunts in Arcachon, France. A memory of an oyster from this place changed the course of Tony's life.
Stuffed Like a Pig
S1 Ep10
7.6
8th Jul 2002
Tony joins Jose at the family farm to enjoy a fattened pig at the village feast. Then, he travels to a destination from his childhood where he debates eating a calf's head.
A Desert Feast
S1 Ep11
7.5
5th Mar 2002
Tony has one objective in Morocco, eat a roast sheep. He travels by camel with Berbers before he finally reaches the sheep roast in the mud of the Sahara.
Traditional Tastes
S1 Ep12
7.8
7th May 2002
In Morocco, Tony learns about the rich culinary tradition and home cooking from a British ex-pat.
The Cook Who Came in From the Cold
S1 Ep13
7.8
19th Feb 2002
Tony's friend Zamir shows him around St. Petersburg. A product of a childhood during the cold war, Tony fantasizes about being a spy as he eats his way through blinis, borscht, reindeer, pickled salads, and dumplings.
So Much Vodka, So Little Time
S1 Ep14
7.7
16th Apr 2002
Tony and his friend explore St. Petersburg. Tony is especially interested in the working class foods of the people. Ice fishing, smoked fish, and high luxury caviar are a few of the stops.
Tamales and Iguana Oaxacan Style
S1 Ep15
7.7
2nd Apr 2002
Tony has always been interested in the Oaxacan tradition in food. A friend leads Tony through a local market, where they taste a variety of interesting foods. And, of course, Tony can't pass on tequila.
Puebla Where Good Cooks Come From
S1 Ep16
7.7
12th Feb 2002
Tony's favorite kitchen mates all seem to come from Mexico, and he wants to know why. Eddy takes him on a tour of his home and town for some great meals of ant eggs, worms, and more.
Los Angeles, My Own Heart of Darkness
S1 Ep17
7.8
26th Feb 2002
Tony is apprehensive about the glamorous world of LA, so he begins with hot dogs. After a long day and a guest stint at Campanile, he has gained a new appreciation for the glitz of the City of Angels.
French Laundry Experience
S1 Ep18
8.1
30th Apr 2002
Tony travels to Napa to eat at the restaurant of the chef he believes is the best at French cuisine–Thomas Keller. Keller creates a specialized menu just for Tony, including a course that is pure Tony–tobacco leaf and coffee custard.
Hometown Favorites
S1 Ep19
7.9
23rd Apr 2002
Tony decides to share all of his hometown haunts with the viewers. Lox and bagels, wine and dinner, a variety of cheese, and great hot dogs make his list of top stops.
My Life As A Cook-NYC
S1 Ep20
7.6
5th Feb 2002
This episode is all about Tony. Tours through Tony's restaurant, Les Halles; his first restaurant job in Provincetown, and the Culinary Institute of America; plus an interview with his mentor provide a fascinating look at the host, chef and writer.
Highland Grub
S1 Ep21
7.7
12th Jul 2002
Tony sets out to prove that Scotland does have tasty options. He begins with a deep fried breakfast of pizza, eggs, and Mars bars. Next, he enjoys a hearty lunch of haggis. Finally, after fishing and hunting across the countryside, he eats a calm dinner at a large estate.
A Pleasing Palate
S1 Ep22
8.1
20th Apr 2002
While the United Kingdom doesn't have the greatest culinary reputation, Tony is determined to find the best in Britain. Some of his choices are exotic, including: goat liver salad, roasted pig's head, ox heart-grilled and breaded pig's tail. He also enjoys a tour through the countryside and a community from India.
A Cook's Tour is a travel and food show that aired on the Food Network. Host Anthony Bourdain visits exotic countries and cities worldwide where hosts treat him to local culture and cuisine.
Two seasons of episodes were produced in 2000 and 2001 and aired first-run in 2001 and 2002 in the U.S. on the Food Network. In the summer of 2008, the Food Network stopped re-running the series and rolled out a completely overhauled website omitting all but a single reference to Anthony Bourdain from March 2008 entitled, "Anthony Bourdain's Rant", tagged under Food Network topics "vegetables" and "simmer," likely due to the emergence of Bourdain's similarly themed current series, No Reservations, on sister network Travel Channel. Questar Entertainment released a DVD box set of A Cook's Tour on DVD in January 2012. Early versions of this DVD box set are missing the episode TB1A04, Eating on the Mekong. Replacement DVDs are available from Questar starting in late February, 2012. As of March, 2012 episodes of A Cook's Tour have begun airing on the Travel Channel.
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The best rated episodes of A Cook's Tour are:
French Laundry Experience S1E18 rated 8.1
A Taste of Tokyo S1E1 rated 8.1
A Pleasing Palate S1E22 rated 8.1
San Sebastian: A Food Lover's Town S1E8 rated 8.0
Hometown Favorites S1E19 rated 7.9
Childhood Flavors S1E9 rated 7.9
Los Angeles, My Own Heart of Darkness S1E17 rated 7.8
The Cook Who Came in From the Cold S1E13 rated 7.8
Traditional Tastes S1E12 rated 7.8
Elements of a Great Bar S2E5 rated 7.8
The lowest rated episodes of A Cook's Tour are:
One Night in Bangkok S2E13 rated 6.7
How to Be a Carioca S2E4 rated 6.9
My Friend Linh S2E12 rated 6.9
A Mystical World S2E3 rated 7.0
Food Tastes Better with Sand Between Your Toes S2E1 rated 7.1
Let's Get Lost S2E11 rated 7.1
Mad Tony, The Food Warrior S2E8 rated 7.2
Down Under: The Wild West of Cooking S2E9 rated 7.3
Singapore: NY in 20 Years S2E10 rated 7.3
No Beads, No Babes, No Bourbon Street S2E2 rated 7.3
The first episode of A Cook's Tour aired on January 08, 2002.
The last episode of A Cook's Tour aired on June 27, 2003.
