famous article from "the new yorker" about what happens behind the scenes at restaurants in new york. people still read and love that book. but it was "kitchen confidential" and his experience as a chef that launched him into television and into superstar dom, becoming an international celebrity, even if he didn't always love that. he had a show on the food network, travel channel, and cnn in 2013. i'm just thinking about what it was like when he was here visiting us in new york, when he was here in between his shoots. he lit up every room that he walked into here at cnn. when he was in the building, you knew it. he was this larger-than-life figure not only because he was so tall but because he was so warm and passionate about what he was doing and about life. i'm thinking about the last time he was here. it must not have been that long ago. he was starting to work on this current season. even a pat on the back.