The Bourdain Challenge is asking supporters to collectively cover the virtual distance of 35,218 miles, which the US TV star and book author did while making his hit show Parts Unknown a decade ago.
Parts Unknown was a series where Bourdain travelled the world to uncover lesser-known places, exploring diverse cultures and amazing cuisines in the process.
A chef many aspired to, Bourdain’s unrelenting love and respect for food, culture and people was well documented – as was his struggles with his own mental health. The Burnt Chef Project is on a mission to eradicate the stigma around mental health and offer support to those across our industry.
Proceeds to support project
The Bourdain Challenge is a virtual activity challenge, whereby participants become part of a team looking to achieve an incredible 35,218 miles in distance. With the option to sign up individually or as a group, participants can walk, run, cycle, swim, hula hoop or any other activity. Logged on a fitness watch, smartphone or manually through the challenge page, each mile will count towards the overall total and ultimately the team’s success.
Joining fees start from £15 per person and all participants will receive a custom The Burnt Chef Project Bourdain Challenge die-cast medal. Proceeds from the challenge will go directly to supporting the work of the project throughout the hospitality industry.
The Burnt Chef Project founder and CEO Kris Hall said: “Anthony Bourdain was a truly iconic chef and someone who, through his own, well-documented struggles, helped to change the way that we view mental health in hospitality.”
Interactive map
Hall continued: “Commemorating 10 years since Parts Unknown first aired, we felt it was only right to launch an epic virtual activity challenge of our own – one that will not only help to get the industry moving but will also help to raise vital funds to support the ongoing work of The Burnt Chef Project.”
The initiative begins on Friday 19 January ‘virtually’ in Asia, where Bourdain travelled for the first of the Parts Unknown episodes.
An interactive map will show the progress throughout the challenge, where the collective effort of the team will help The Burnt Chef Project to complete the challenge and contribute to the overall target.
Hall added: “It’s a huge undertaking to hit 35,000 miles in just nine weeks but with our incredible community, we’re sure we can make it.”
