If you’ve ever worked in hospitality, you’ve seen things. The long hours, the patrons, those blurry lines between work and play, and, if you’re Jess Ho, the complex world of what is good and bad taste.
Jess has game in hospo. They may have started off as a waiter, but would become one of the most iconic gatekeepers at Melbourne’s coolest restaurant, would go on to be a venue owner themselves, a food writer, a podcaster, and now, a debut novelist.
They capture it all in their memoir Raised By Wolves. It’s a brilliant page turner that not only takes down the bullshit of the foodie scene, but gives a heartbreaking insight into Jess’ personal life – the story of a fractured childhood and a found family with it’s own tragedies. I loved Jess’ book, so I invited them in to Take 5. From Bjork to Chris to LCD Soundsystem, this is the soundtrack to a curious and story filled life.