Popular New York Chinese food chain Xi'an Famous Foods has raised more than $73,000 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in honor of the late American chef Anthony Bourdain. Bourdain died by suicide last week at age 61.
The author and presenter had expressed his love for Xi'an Famous Foods on his show No Reservations. What was at the time a small stall selling Western Chinese food in Flushing, Queens, saw huge growth after the episode aired and today has 12 locations dotted across the city.
Thanking the celebrity chef for the restaurant’s success, Xi'an Famous Foods CEO Jason Wang wrote on Instagram that Bourdain "may have no idea what he has done for our family and business by simply saying he enjoyed the food." As a tribute, the company revealed it would donate 100 percent of its stores’ June 8 net sales to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
In response, fans of Bourdain turned up to Xi'an Famous Foods locations in droves. Reports revealed the company's sales almost doubled on Friday, with its Greenpoint location running out of food an hour before closing. Overall, the company raised $73,509.76.
Wang’s heartfelt Instagram note can be read in full below.
In case you missed it, here are our favorite Anthony Bourdain clips of all time.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, there are resources to help you. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. You can call directly at 1-800-273-8255. In the UK, you can contact Samaritans at 116 123.
