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Matt Johnson’s “Tony” opens in UK cinemas August 14

8/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Matt Johnson’s “Tony,” starring Dominic Sessa as Anthony Bourdain, opens in UK cinemas on Friday 14 August.
Story is set in summer 1975 and stars Antonio Banderas as a chef and Leo Woodall as Sal.
It follows 19-year-old Bourdain washing pots, with Johnson providing the cast a Kitchen Confidential booklet for authenticity.
Radio Times gave the film four stars, calling it a charming summer movie that beats a traditional biopic.

History

Historical Context

The International Association of Culinary Professionals began in 1978 as the Association of Cooking Schools, later merging with Food Marketing Communicators in 1990 to become the IACP that now sponsors conferences in cities such as New Orleans, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Seattle. Its early push, aided by Julia Child, to professionalize chefs laid groundwork for media portrayals, reflected in the 2024 biopic “Tony.”

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Story summary

Matt Johnson’s “Tony,” starring Dominic Sessa as Anthony Bourdain, opens in UK cinemas on Friday 14 August.
Story is set in summer 1975 and stars Antonio Banderas as a chef and Leo Woodall as Sal.
It follows 19-year-old Bourdain washing pots, with Johnson providing the cast a Kitchen Confidential booklet for authenticity.
Radio Times gave the film four stars, calling it a charming summer movie that beats a traditional biopic.

1 / 2