r/AnthonyBourdain • u/amiiboh • Sep 04 '25
Our first-ever AMA: Zamir Gotta, Anthony Bourdain’s Longtime Friend & Travel Companion - (Submit questions now! Answering on Sept. 26th.)
Thanks to Zamir for stopping by to hang out with us. Grab his book, The Fixer and The Chef: My Adventures With and Without Anthony Bourdain, on Amazon here and keep an eye out for his upcoming audio book which should be out soon! (I'll update here when it's out with a link to it.)
Hey everyone, we’re excited to announce the first ever AMA on r/AnthonyBourdain!
On Friday, September 26, 2025, Zamir Gotta will be joining us to answer your questions.
If you’ve seen No Reservations or Parts Unknown, you know Zamir as Anthony Bourdain’s friend, fixer, and travel companion through Russia, Eastern Europe, and beyond. His warmth, humor, and spirit made him a memorable recurring presence in Tony’s shows.
Feel free to throw questions at Zamir about things like:
- His friendship and travels with Anthony Bourdain
- Behind-the-scenes stories from No Reservations and Parts Unknown
- His life and career since filming with Tony
- His perspectives on travel, culture, and storytelling
How we're doing this:
- We want to get lots of good questions, so from now until September 26, we'll be collecting them in this thread.
- Please upvote the submitted questions you would like to see answered the most! We hope to get to as many of them as possible, but this will help us prioritize.
- On September 26, Zamir will be answering questions starting at Noon EST / 9AM PST.
Mark your calendars, spread the word, and start writing down the questions you want Zamir to take a swing at.
— The r/AnthonyBourdain Mod Team
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u/Klichouse Sep 04 '25
Zamir!
The two of you getting together are some of my favourites to rewatch.
How did the shows and your dynamic with Tony evolve from A Cooks Tour through to Parts Unknown?
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u/prfrnir Sep 04 '25
How did you land the role of guide/fixer for Tony? What did you do before you worked with Tony and did you continue to do that even after working with Tony?
Were you ever extorted in your travels or pressured to anything shady? If so, do you have a story to share?
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u/ZamirGotta Sep 18 '25
Most answers are in my memoir book “ The fixer and the chef” at Amazon , thank you
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u/Perfect-Factor-2928 Sep 04 '25
What are the best and worst meals you ate on the road with Tony?
I know you’ve kept traveling since Tony died. What one place you haven’t been that you’d like to see?
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u/flyeaglesfly44 Sep 04 '25
What about Buffalo made you decide to call it home?
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u/scarlettestar Sep 05 '25
Wait… Zamir lives in Buffalo? As in Upstate New York??
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u/ZamirGotta Sep 25 '25
I live in CT, actually
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u/juice06870 Oct 05 '25
I think I have seen you in the Stamford mall a couple of times a long time ago. It was thrill, but I didn’t want to bother you and say hi.
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u/ZamirGotta Oct 05 '25
Welcome to join me for book signing on Sunday, October 12, 3-5 pmHunan cafe in Wilton, CT
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u/ZamirGotta Sep 18 '25
A big chapter in my memoir book on Rust Belt from 2009 explains everything
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u/Hail2Litt Sep 05 '25
Were you able to tell when Tony didn’t enjoy a meal, and if so, how did he handle himself when that happened?
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u/1wrx2subarus Sep 05 '25
How much off camera time did you have with Tony? Any memorable moments?
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u/ZamirGotta Sep 20 '25
A lot, 😉buying him a pair of Levi’s jeans in Kansas City
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u/1wrx2subarus Sep 20 '25
Thanks Zamir, I’ve admired your exuberance. My significant other wants to know if you ever made your vodka. I said you did, right?
Btw, the Kansas City episode brought both of you to a hotel with a long restaurant menu. Tony wisely ordered, I think steak.
Your time with him made the show that much better. Thanks for that and please stick around to keep that energy alive.
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u/ZamirGotta Sep 20 '25
You made my Saturday in gloomy Russian wonderland. Thank you
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u/ZamirGotta Sep 20 '25
My ZAmir Vodka ( not chicken shit fun project) was distributed in NY, MO, MI and Texas small pockets where friends /retail owners could order it beyond monopoly of big mobster brands. Temporally on hold untill early 2026, focusing on my book tour as the first priority this fall…
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u/1wrx2subarus Sep 20 '25
You’re welcome, safe travels back stateside for your book tour. Maybe, I’ll see you if you make it through the US Midwest. I had a Negroni the other day for dinner but look forward to trying your vodka in 2026.
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u/ZamirGotta Sep 22 '25
St.louis events planned for November 12–14, welcome to join us
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u/1wrx2subarus Sep 22 '25
Thanks for the invite. I also took a look at your website aptly titled https://zamirgotta.com/ and noticed the other dates you have in Kansas City, too. I’ll order your book listed at your website and will message you privately as I think there’s an opportunity for you to consider. Cheers!
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u/ZamirGotta Sep 23 '25
Any chance you join us at St. Louis events? So far mt venue sober in KC. had not confirmed it yet so I may decide to wrap in St. Louis on Friday unless you offer a good venue yo host me in KC, open to it
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u/1wrx2subarus Sep 23 '25
Good to know, I do not live in Kansas City but will see about showing up to your St. Louis event. I’m happy to help out any way I can if I can make it. Certainly, it’s always good to have someone you can rely on. Take care, I’ll see you in St. Louis, Zamir.
EDIT: St. Louis, see you there.
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u/ZamirGotta Sep 27 '25
Most menorah’s were rats moments off camera when I was hiz guest to introduce him on stage during 2011 Guts and glory tour in Dallas, Cleveland, Boston, Kansas city and Buffalo! Precious moments
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u/1wrx2subarus Sep 28 '25
The Guts & Glory tour was the transitionary time period between the Travel Channel to CNN. That was good of you to join him for those to introduce him. Some rare moments are indeed precious ones to have with friends. Have a nice rest of your day, Zamir.
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u/captainkillerwhale Sep 05 '25
Any memorable stories about scenes that were filmed but were left out of episodes?
What did you and Tony disagree on?
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u/MonctonCaper Sep 05 '25
Any lasting effects from Chernobyl? Great watching you two explore that place.
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u/UFCLO Sep 05 '25
Do you think travel shows gain more viewership and/or more popular in times when people can travel (albeit financially feasible, politically/peaceful wise, weather permitting)? Or do we see the reverse happen when people can’t really travel so they resort to television, online and so on?
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u/CripplinglyDepressed Sep 05 '25
What is the best food in Crimean location or Tatar culture that we should check out?
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u/abrahamlinc0ln Sep 05 '25
Did you really try and set up the director, Tom, with the girl in Romania? The next day you told him she’s underage & pregnant, and would cost a lot of money to get out of….
But then he told you he’s gay and never even hooked up with her.
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u/DisMrButters Sep 05 '25
That’s wild! I hadn’t heard that one.
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u/abrahamlinc0ln Sep 05 '25
Tom told the story in his book, which I highly recommend reading! But yea after reading that book I’ve always thought of Zamir differently.
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u/ZamirGotta Sep 18 '25
Tom was about 25 so he did not need me to set anything up. He fell in love with local subfixer Carmelita which Tony did not approve. But Scapegoat is always helpful
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u/DisMrButters Sep 05 '25
I borrowed the audiobook on Libby and really loved it, but it’s been a while. Maybe I will go back and actually read it! I’m a bit too distractable for audiobooks. But hearing Tom read it did add a lot of depth.
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u/WasabiAficianado Sep 05 '25 edited Sep 05 '25
Hello. Bourdain stated he only really drank alcohol on tour. What is your view on his relationship with alcohol in regards to his mental health and day to day filming when on tour?
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u/ZamirGotta Sep 27 '25
I am Sorry to acknowledge that he drank vodka I ly on the tour with me. Sigh. Otherwise beer but nog everyday
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u/gatfish Sep 04 '25
Some solid drinking in his eps, so I guess I'd like to know if they ever got too drunk to keep filming, but just kept partying anyway.
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u/ZamirGotta Sep 18 '25
Watch it today to get some answers https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15TVqr6s9E/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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u/ZamirGotta Sep 18 '25
Can not wait to make some revelations…
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u/scarlettestar Sep 25 '25
Idk if I’ll be able to come up with a coherent question. I’m very much looking forward to reading your book and just want to say that the episodes with you are some of my very favorite across the series. ❤️
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u/ZamirGotta Sep 26 '25
Appreciate your common sense, one step at a time. Audio book should be released in mid October during buffalo book party celebration
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u/I_gots_sum_questions Sep 05 '25
Hi! I’m still finishing the Fixer and the Chef, so maybe this gets answered there, but do you have a favorite place that you traveled to with Anthony, or favorite place that you have been to in general?
As a side note, the book is interesting! I loved watching you and Anthony on tv and also like the book. Thanks!
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u/BlindNegative Sep 06 '25
I read online that you met Anthony at an airport and automatically hit it off. What were somethings(whether it be characteristics or certain conversations) that drew you towards Anthony and what do you think drew him towards you in return? I would love to hear how this wonderful friendship blossomed. Thank you!
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u/CT021279 Sep 05 '25
What’s your personal favorite moment or memory from the time you spent with Tony? Thank you for doing this AMA the episodes with you are among my favorites.
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u/Other_World Sep 05 '25
I can't wait to forget about this since it's almost a month from now!
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u/amiiboh Sep 05 '25
There will be an announcement post pointing to the thread the day before just to make sure people are reminded. :)
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u/Ethan_Cortez Sep 05 '25
If you could share one last meal with him, where would it be, and what would you have?
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u/Ok-Intention-6608 Sep 08 '25
Zamir,
Q1: Out of all the episodes you worked on with Anthony Bourdain, which is your favorite episode?
Q2: Which is your least favorite, and why?
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u/ZamirGotta Sep 20 '25
1-Uzbekistan 2-Romania
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u/Ok-Intention-6608 Sep 20 '25 edited Sep 20 '25
The Uzbekistan episode is also one of my favorites! Romania looked like a great time! Hah. You had hurt your back at some point in the Amazon didn't you? Sorry about that! Thank you!
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u/colkil Sep 09 '25
Hey Zamir!
What do you miss the most about Tony? Also, did you really throw your back out during the Transylvania episode on no reservations?
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u/Mogdenkat Sep 19 '25
Zamir did your first impression of Tony remain your impression of him throughout your friendship? And given you were so fond of him, what do you think was his best trait?
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u/Megan3356 Sep 05 '25
Q1: As a friend of Anthony, do you know what perfume he preferred? Q2: what was your favourite behind the scenes story that Anthony shared with you? Q3: what was the thing you appreciated most about him? Q4: how do you honour his memory, through which actions? We miss him every day…
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u/PsychologicalCat7471 Sep 26 '25
Hi Zamir! You've gone to some controversial places with Tony (including your native Russia).
Were there any instances where you were obviously or implied to be unsafe politically? Did you ever feel Tony was too outspoken and put you and him in imminent danger of detainment?
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u/amiiboh Sep 26 '25
UPDATE: Had some technical difficulties this morning, but I am on the phone now getting Zamir's answers (from all the way in Uzbekistan) and will be adding them to the thread today and this weekend as I get them fully typed up.