Anthony Bourdain , Andy Cohen , Top Chef New Orleans fued

Anthony Bourdain Feuds with Bravo’s Cohen over Top Chef Funding

An ugly Twitter feud has gotten started between TV chef and author Anthony Bourdain and the producer of Bravo Television’s “Top Chef” program over the use of 2010 oil spill settlement money to attract the show to New Orleans.

When Bourdain first got wind of the fact that money from the BP spill fund had allegedly been diverted into the pockets of “Top Chef” producers, he fired off a critical tweet that suggested that Andy Cohen give the money back to the city of New Orleans to help in continuing recovery efforts. Cohen then fired back a tweet contending that Bourdain clearly didn’t read the initial article fully to understand where the funds were coming from.

Now the tourism marketing department for the city has gotten involved, saying that the $175,000 given to “Top Chef” producers was part of their regular marketing budget to bring film production to the Crescent City.

Cohen’s Twitter comments managed to bring another issue into the mix, citing the fact that HBO’s series “Treme”, for which Anthony Bourdain has served as a writer, received tax credits from the city for filming there. “Treme” producer David Simon then tweeted comments defending the tax incentives they have received to film in New Orleans.

TV Twitter feud erupts over New Orleans relief money
http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/bitter_tweet_izjMY0Sm8GmgMsxqJerOLN