jess ho

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.

• Bjork - Where is the Line
• IDLES - Television
• Elbow - Scattered Black and Whites
• Christine and the Queens - Doesn't Matter
• LCD Soundsystem- Losing My Edge

Myf and Zan are back and absolutely champing at the bit to bang on this week.

Which is a perfect horse reference for Beyoncé’s Renaissance album (see: cover art). We go in deep on all facets of this instant club classic, and some of the backlash it’s received. We also dip into a larger discussion around releasing, then changing an album. Is an album, as a “finished” piece of art, much more malleable in the digital age?

The finale of Neighbours had us in absolute tears, and we debrief on all our favourite moments and just why Kylie and Jason had so few lines. And a fascinating piece on the “ick” and how it can end a relationship has us in stitches. Meanwhile it’s a big foodie bang on, with Myf watching Aftertaste and Zan reading Jess Ho’s memoir Raised By Wolves.

Show notes:

Neighbours finale: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/neighbours-executive-producer-answers-big-kylie-minogue-question/news-story/f24a8d7987e475ff69e4b3b30117c2f4

Jinkx Monsoon reacts to her Drag Race win: https://twitter.com/sedderaside/status/1553458121187774470

Beyoncé's criticism: https://pitchfork.com/news/beyonce-updating-renaissance-track-heated-after-criticism-of-ableist-lyrics/

Kelis on Beyoncé: https://slate.com/culture/2022/07/renaissance-beyonce-kelis-song-credit-controversy.html

Got the ick? https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/jul/31/got-the-ick-when-a-pang-of-disgust-ruins-your-romance

Aftertaste: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/aftertaste

Raised By Wolves by Jess Ho: https://affirmpress.com.au/publishing/raised-by-wolves/

Email us: bangon.podcast@abc.net.au

Bang On is an ABC podcast, produced by Double J. It is recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay our respects to elders past and present. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the land where we live, work, and learn.

Jess Ho has worked in plenty of sexiest, racist and toxic environments. The food critic and author shares their wisdom on how to stay healthy-ish when life and work is…challenging. 

WANT MORE FROM JESS?

To hear today's full interview, where Jess opens up about navigating body image in Asian culture...search for Extra Healthy-ish wherever you get your pods.

You can grab Jess’ book, Raised By Wolves, ($29.99, Affirm Press), here. Check out her website, here, or follow her food musings on Instagram @thatdamnjessho. 

WANT MORE BODY + SOUL? 

Online: Head to bodyandsoul.com.au for your daily digital dose of health and wellness.

On social: Via Instagram at @bodyandsoul_au or Facebook. Or, TikTok here. Got an idea for an episode? DM host Felicity Harley on Instagram @felicityharley. 

On YouTube: Watch Body + Soul TV here.

In print: Each Sunday, grab Body+Soul inside The Sunday Telegraph (NSW), the Sunday Herald Sun (Victoria), The Sunday Mail (Queensland), Sunday Mail (SA) and Sunday Tasmanian (Tasmania). 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen in to this inspiring chat with food critic and author Jess Ho, who grew up Cantonese in Melbourne and worked for years in the "hospo" industry. They open up about dealing with their mental health and body image, and how they learnt to stand true to who they are. 

WANT MORE FROM JESS?

You can grab Jess’ book, Raised By Wolves, ($29.99, Affirm Press), here. Check out her website, here, or follow her food musings on Instagram @thatdamnjessho. 

WANT MORE BODY + SOUL? 

Online: Head to bodyandsoul.com.au for your daily digital dose of health and wellness.

On social: Via Instagram at @bodyandsoul_au or Facebook. Or, TikTok here. Got an idea for an episode? DM host Felicity Harley on Instagram @felicityharley. 

On YouTube: Watch Body + Soul TV here.

In print: Each Sunday, grab Body+Soul inside The Sunday Telegraph (NSW), the Sunday Herald Sun (Victoria), The Sunday Mail (Queensland), Sunday Mail (SA) and Sunday Tasmanian (Tasmania). 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.