He Wanted to Hate Bourdain’s ‘Tony.’ Then He Saw It.
The Movie "Tony": A Glimpse Into Young Anthony Bourdain Before He Was Famous
Quick Note: This article is based on an interview with Dallas chef John Tesar, who knew Anthony Bourdain personally back in the 1980s and 1990s. He shares his thoughts on the new movie Tony, which hits theaters on August 21.
What Is "Tony" All About?
The movie Tony isn’t about the Anthony Bourdain you might know from TV — the world traveler, the bestselling author, the guy eating street food in Vietnam. Nope. This film rewinds the clock to 1975.
- Tony is 19 years old.
- He’s on a break from Vassar College.
- He runs away from home in New Jersey.
- He chases a girl to Provincetown, Massachusetts.
- He lucks into a dishwashing job at a restaurant.
- He meets a chef-mentor (played by Antonio Banderas) who changes everything.
Scene from the movie: Dominic Sessa plays young Bourdain. Antonio Banderas plays the chef who sees something in him.
(Photo credit: TNS)
Who Is John Tesar — And Why Does His Opinion Matter?
John Tesar is a well-known Dallas chef. But decades ago? He worked side-by-side with Bourdain in New York City kitchens from the late 1980s to mid-1990s.
Chef John Tesar today: He now runs Knife Italian at the Ritz-Carlton in Irving, Texas.
(Photo credit: Juan Figueroa / Dallas Morning News)
Tesar didn’t know "TV Tony." He knew Tony the line cook. Tony the writer. Tony the dreamer.
Tesar’s Take: "This Was the Real Tony"
After watching Tony, Tesar said:
"You got to see this early part of him — before fame took it all away."
He was surprised by how much he liked the movie. He went in wanting to hate it — but came out thinking:
"It was a touching love story about somebody who struggled a lot — and really made it."
Three Love Stories in One Movie
Tesar points out that Tony isn’t just one story. It’s three intertwined love stories:
| Love Story | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 1. Nancy Putkoski | The girl he chased to Provincetown. They married after that summer and stayed together 20 years. |
| 2. Learning to Cook | The kitchen gave him purpose, discipline, and a home. |
| 3. Becoming a Writer | Even then, he called himself a writer — years before Kitchen Confidential made it true. |
"And that’s who Tony was." — John Tesar
Was Bourdain a Liar? Tesar Says… Yes.
Q: In the movie, Bourdain is shown as a bit of a liar. Was he really like that?
Tesar laughed.
"He was a good liar. And he lied all the time."
But Tesar doesn’t say it with malice. It was part of who Bourdain was — a storyteller, a myth-maker, someone who invented himself before the world caught up.
The Grease Fire Scene: Did It Really Happen?
Q: In the movie, young Bourdain throws water on a grease fire. The restaurant burns. He feels terrible. Did that happen?
Tesar: "I don’t believe it was Tony’s fault."
So… maybe Hollywood added drama. But the guilt? That feels real. Bourdain carried a lot of guilt — about things big and small.
The Nickname That Stuck: "Flacco"
Q: Would Bourdain have liked this movie?
Tesar says yes. Here’s why:
In the movie, the chef-mentor gives Bourdain a nickname: Flacco.
"We always called him Flacco," Tesar said. "It came from that chef and it stuck."
Even a decade later, in New York kitchens, that’s what his friends called him.
If the movie got that right — it got him right.
Key Takeaways (ELI5 Version)
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER
- Tony ≠ Anthony Bourdain the celebrity. It’s about the kid before the fame.
- John Tesar knew him before he was famous. His opinion carries weight.
- Bourdain wanted to be a writer first. Cooking came later.
- He wasn’t perfect. He struggled, lied, made mistakes — and grew.
- Love anchored him. Nancy, cooking, and writing — those were his north stars.
- Small details matter. The nickname "Flacco" proves the filmmakers listened.
Summary
Tony is a coming-of-age story set in a sweaty kitchen in 1975. It shows a lost, talented, messy 19-year-old who would one day become a global icon.
Through the eyes of his old friend John Tesar, we see that the movie gets the heart of Bourdain right — not the celebrity, but the human being who:
- Loved deeply (Nancy)
- Found purpose (cooking)
- Told stories (writing)
- Carried guilt
- Earned a nickname that lasted decades
It’s not a biopic. It’s a snapshot. And according to someone who was there — it’s honest.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. When and where can I watch Tony?
The movie releases in Houston on August 21. Check local listings for wider release dates.
2. Is this a documentary?
No. It’s a scripted film (a dramatization) based on a real summer in Bourdain’s life.
3. Do I need to know Bourdain’s work to enjoy it?
Not at all. It stands alone as a story about growing up, finding your path, and the people who shape you.
4. Did Bourdain really wash dishes in Provincetown?
Yes. That part is true. It was his first kitchen job — and it changed everything.
5. Why does John Tesar call him "Flacco"?
That nickname came from the chef-mentor in Provincetown. Tesar and others kept using it for years — even in NYC kitchens. It’s a sign of real friendship and shared history.
"Before he was a star, he was just a kid in a kitchen. Tony lets us meet him there."
— Inspired by John Tesar’s reflections