Chef Eric Ripert Says New Anthony Bourdain Biopic Depicts Him as ‘an Obviously Very Different’ Person at 19 (Exclusive)

The much-anticipated film ‘Tony’ is set to showcase the formative years of the late chef and author Anthony Bourdain. Telling the story of a young Bourdain’s initial experiences in the kitchen, the film features Dominic Sessa in the leading role and is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on August 7, before rolling out to a wider audience on August 21.

Chef Eric Ripert, a renowned French chef and a close friend of Bourdain, recently weighed in on Sessa’s portrayal of the iconic culinary figure. Ripert, known for his work at the esteemed New York restaurant Le Bernardin, shared his thoughts during an interview with PEOPLE, illustrating how the film captures Bourdain’s search for identity at a pivotal moment when he was just 19 years old.

The narrative of ‘Tony’ draws on the early chapters of Bourdain’s bestselling memoir, ‘Kitchen Confidential.’ It focuses on a summer he spent working at a seafood restaurant called the Dreadnaught in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Ripert noted that his first encounter with Bourdain came years after the memoir’s release, remarking on the stark contrasts between the young chef depicted in the film and the Bourdain he later came to know.

“The Anthony Bourdain I met was significantly different from the young man in the film,” Ripert explained. “Just as my own journey in the culinary world has evolved, so too did Tony’s life and persona.” He added that despite the differences, the film does a commendable job of reflecting Bourdain’s struggles to find his place in the world of cooking.

Ripert described the film’s portrayal of a young Bourdain, caught up in the escapism of a “summer of drugs, rock and roll, and everything—sex, I guess.” He appreciated the film’s exploration of this theme, even if it diverges from the Bourdain he came to know over the years. The narrative features Bourdain navigating a new career path amidst drunken escapades and a vibrant culinary scene, leading him to unexpected revelations about himself.

At the Dreadnaught, Bourdain, played by Sessa, grapples with the harsh realities of the restaurant industry. He learns under the guidance of an experienced chef, portrayed by Antonio Banderas, and gets entangled with the hard-partying lifestyle emblematic of many cooks. Ripert acknowledged that while their friendship spanned over a decade, he had never visited Provincetown with Bourdain and had very little insight into that part of his early life, apart from what was documented in ‘Kitchen Confidential’.

Reflecting on Bourdain’s character, Ripert recounted his friend’s reserved nature when discussing personal matters. “Tony was a fantastic storyteller, but he was not particularly interested in sharing too much about himself,” he said. Their conversations rarely touched on Bourdain’s past experiences in restaurants, underscoring the distinction between the man he became and the young chef portrayed in ‘Tony’.

Beyond the film’s narrative, Ripert fondly remembered Bourdain’s graciousness and humility throughout his rise to fame. Despite becoming a household name in the 2000s, Bourdain remained appreciative of his journey, often expressing that he could easily have still been in the kitchen at an older age, adhering to the realities of the culinary profession. Even during book tours and casual encounters in New York, Bourdain treated his fans with kindness and respect.

Tragically, Anthony Bourdain passed away on June 8, 2018, at the age of 61, leaving behind a complex legacy in the culinary world. As audiences prepare to witness the cinematic depiction of his early years, ‘Tony’ aims to capture the essence of a young man grappling with his identity and the allure of the kitchen, setting the stage for the legendary life that would follow.

The film ‘Tony’ opens in select theatres on August 7 and will expand to a broader release on August 21, allowing fans to glimpse the beginnings of an extraordinary career that transformed the culinary landscape and resonated deeply with audiences around the globe.