Xi’an Famous Foods’ CEO has donated over $73K to a suicide prevention hotline in memory of Anthony Bourdain.
As reported by CBS, the CEO of New York City Chinese restaurant Xi’an Famous Foods has donated profits to a suicide hotline to honour Anthony Bourdain who took his own life on 8 June 2018.
Jason Wang, the son of the founder of the restaurant wrote a long post on Facebook and Instagram about the late chef. “Today’s a day of extreme sadness for us here at Xi’an Famous Foods,” Wang wrote. “I’ve lost a dear friend today, and we mourn with the rest of the world.”
Bourdain helped the family’s basement restaurant in Queens expand after visiting them in an episode of the Travel Channel’s No Reservations.
“I remember the time in 2007 when Tony first visited our basement food stall in Flushing for Travel Channel’s No Reservations while I was still in college (even though I didn’t know who he was at the time),” Wang wrote.
“Years later in 2015 after interviewing together for an article, I approached Tony and told him, while he may have no idea what he has done for our family and business by simply saying he enjoyed the food, I wanted him to know it helped bring our family out from living in one room in Flushing to living the American dream.”
After the visit, more opportunities opened to the family, to which Wang said they would always be grateful for. “I looked at him in the eyes and said, this is something we will always be thankful for, Tony. And he simply replied, “I’m just calling out good food like it is, that’s all.””
To honour Bourdain, Wang revealed he would donate one day’s profit to a suicide prevention hotline. “In honor of his memory and all of those dear people who left us all too early, and in taking whatever action we can to prevent suicide in the US, Xi’an Famous Foods will be donating 100% of our net sales on today, Friday, June 8, 2018, from all of our stores, to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline ‘1-800-273-TALK (8255)’,” Wang wrote.
“Please cherish all of our lives and help those who may be struggling. Rest in peace, Tony, and the most sincere condolences to Tony’s beloved family,” Wang ended the social media post.
According to NY Eater, Xi’An Famous Foods raised $73,509.76.
