Dominic Sessa Says He ‘Didn’t Do That Much Actual Cooking’ Playing Anthony Bourdain in “Tony” (Exclusive)

Dominic Sessa, the young actor portraying Anthony Bourdain in the upcoming biopic *Tony*, has revealed that his culinary skills have seen only a slight improvement from the experience. In a light-hearted conversation with PEOPLE, Sessa remarked, “I probably improved maybe 1% in terms of cooking,” clarifying that his role didn’t require much more than dishwashing duties, with the exception of shucking oysters. His comments reflect the film’s emphasis on Bourdain’s youthful experiences rather than his later acclaim as a culinary master.

The film, directed by Matt Johnson, delves into Bourdain’s formative years in Provincetown, Massachusetts, inspired by his memoir *Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly*. Set in the 1970s, the narrative captures Bourdain’s first job in a restaurant after a spur-of-the-moment decision to impress a young woman, played by Emilia Jones. The character is portrayed as ambitious yet naïve, ultimately ending up washing dishes at a local seafood establishment run by a strict chef, played by Antonio Banderas.

Sessa’s portrayal of the young Bourdain highlights the awkwardness and uncertainty experienced in those early stages of adulthood, illustrating how he initially masks his struggles with a façade aimed at impressing others. “If you really watch the cooking stuff, it’s really Antonio just kind of telling me what to do and following very basic instructions,” Sessa shared, indicating that much of the character’s culinary progress was more about learning to act rather than becoming an accomplished cook.

Johnson explained that *Tony* is not intended to celebrate Bourdain’s later culinary prowess but rather to focus on his journey of self-discovery. The director emphasised that the film is as much about the challenges of identity and growth as it is about food. Bourdain’s youth is depicted through a narrative lens that shows him grappling with his shortcomings and desperately trying to project an image to those around him.

A notable moment in the film connects to a well-known excerpt from Bourdain’s memoir, where he reflects on his younger self as “a spoiled, miserable, narcissistic, self-destructive and thoughtless young lout, and badly in need of a good ass-kicking.” Johnson believes this poignancy is crucial in understanding Bourdain’s character, especially as he becomes more receptive to the possibilities of cooking, culminating in a key moment where he tastes his own creation and experiences a newfound sense of capability.

The journey depicted in *Tony* is a testament to Bourdain’s evolution. According to Johnson, the film portrays a young man who inadvertently stumbles into a path that leads to self-realisation. “So much of this movie is this character accidentally doing the right thing and then realising, ‘Oh, maybe that’s a sign,’” he explained, revealing the overarching theme of the narrative.

For Sessa, this film marks a significant leap in his burgeoning career. Having made his screen debut earlier this year in *The Holdovers*, he continues to build his acting portfolio. However, despite his rising fame, the 23-year-old actor seeks to remain grounded and not chase the celebrity lifestyle. He commented, “I feel like I’ve gotten away with just kind of doing the acting thing and not really thinking about it too much,” indicating his preference for a more private existence away from the glare of social media.

*Tony* is set to hit limited theatres on 7 August, with a nationwide expansion planned for 21 August. As anticipation builds for the film, Sessa’s performance is expected to resonate with audiences, shedding light on the adolescent years of a man who would later become a culinary icon and a beloved television personality. The film seeks to celebrate Bourdain’s journey, reflecting the themes of aspiration, struggle, and ultimately, personal growth.