We reckon we have some great traditions at Tough Guy Book Club: monthly challenges, Hemingway month, book swap. A big one we like to do each year is Bourdain Day.  It’s named after a chef TV writer guy that one of our founding members, who is no longer with us, really loved. Anthony Bourdain wasn’t a saint, no one is, but his whole thing was that life is best when having a conversation with strangers over a great meal, and if you sit down to eat with folks then you realise you have more in common than you think. We think that’s a damn good way to look at the world, but he died due to mental health stuff, and the combination of those two things is worth talking about. So, on the 25th of June each year (Bourdain’s birthday) our chapters go out to a fancy restaurant for a night of wine, cream sauce, good conversations, and remembering old friends.  

This year it was suggested to invite partners to the event, we thought it would be nice to have a bit more of our families involved for a night to break some bread. Many took up the call and we saw heaps of chapters post photos in the Pool Hall of their dinner with partners, wives, girlfriends, and even some kids. It was great to meet the significant people in the lives of other goons, especially as we often hear about them at club nights each month. Others kept it to themselves and fancied it up for the night away from their regular pubs. It was also fun to see multiple chapters take the opportunity to get together for combined events, whether they be cross town rivals, or a reunion of members after an offshoot. A few goons living isolated from TGBC locations didn’t let the lack of local members spoil their night, treating themselves to a solo meal out – a brave experience for some, but a rewarding one.  

It is fair to say that the spirit of Anthony Bourdain was felt across the events. The London and New York chapters were able to hold their events at a couple of his personal favourite venues. As he is often associated with the Negroni, it was fittings so see one enjoyed by various goons across the celebrations. The Altona chapter looked up during the night to randomly see the man himself grace the television over their table, a sign of approval if there ever was one.  

Since the night there has been a lot of chat within the club about how much it was enjoyed by all involved. The quality of the food and drink was a highlight, but what everyone is raving about most is the conversation and company! In the words of Anthony Bourdain, “Meals make the society, hold the fabric together in lots of ways that were charming and interesting and intoxicating to me. The perfect meal, or the best meals, occur in a context that frequently has very little to do with the food itself.”