Ep 20. Issues Special

In Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations season 6 episode 20, titled "Issues Special," Bourdain takes a more serious and introspective approach as he explores social, political, and environmental issues around the world through the lens of food. Rather than focusing on one specific location, the episode jumps from country to country, highlighting the unique struggles and concerns that each region faces.

Throughout the episode, Bourdain sits down with various activists, experts, and locals to learn more about these issues and how they impact the food that people eat. He starts in Haiti, where he talks with farmers and aid workers about the devastating effects of the earthquake that occurred earlier that year. He also visits a school where children are learning how to grow and care for their own food, in hopes of combatting malnutrition and poverty.

Next, Bourdain travels to Cambodia, where he explores the legacy of the Khmer Rouge regime and the lasting impact it has had on the country's food culture. He talks with chefs and vendors who experienced the genocide firsthand, and learns about the ways in which they are working to preserve traditional Cambodian cuisine while also moving forward and innovating.

The episode then takes a detour to California, where Bourdain visits a prison garden program that teaches inmates how to grow and prepare their own food. He speaks with both inmates and staff about the benefits of the program, and how it gives those who participate a sense of purpose and pride.

From there, Bourdain heads to the Amazon rainforest to learn about the devastating effects of deforestation and mining on the region's food sources. He speaks with local activists and scientists who are trying to protect the forest and the indigenous people who depend on it for survival.

Finally, the episode ends on a hopeful note as Bourdain visits post-Katrina New Orleans to see how the city's food culture has rebounded after the disaster. He talks with chefs, restaurant owners, and locals about the ways in which food has brought people together and helped them to heal.

Overall, the "Issues Special" episode of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations is a thought-provoking and poignant look at some of the most pressing issues facing our world today. Through the lens of food, Bourdain sheds light on these issues in a way that is both informative and engaging, leaving viewers with a greater understanding of the challenges we face and the ways in which we can work to overcome them.