Jess Ho in conversation with Simon Marnie

'Jess Ho skewers hospitality with their caustic wit in this uncompromising cautionary tale of navigating the restaurant industry. And yet they still manage to exhibit affection for their fellow foodie vagabonds, all washed down with copious amounts of sarcasm and wine. Terrifying and hilarious – the author and this book.' – Chris Flynn (author of Mammoth)

Growing up Cantonese in the racist outer suburbs was hard enough for Jess Ho, but add in a dysfunctional family who only made peace over food, and it was clear that normal life was never on the menu.

Now a 'take-no-prisoners' food writer in Melbourne, Jess Ho has written their first book and memoir, Raised by Wolves, _where they speak powerfully and with bite about the Australian food industry. On Tuesday 26 July, hear Jess in conversation with Simon Marnie, Presenter of ABC Sydney Radio’s _Weekend Mornings program.

Attendees are asked to arrive at 6.30pm or earlier for a 7.00pm start upstairs at The Royal Oak Balmain. Seating is unallocated – another reason to arrive early to secure an optimal spot. Why not make a full evening of it, too, by booking a meal at the Royal Oak before or after the event? One of Balmain's oldest and best-known pubs, it serves a delicious range of food and beverages.

Raised by Wolves will be available for purchase at the venue through Roaring Stories, with book signings from Ho following the discussion.

If you miss out on a ticket, you can still watch the event as it is live-streamed from the Roaring Stories Facebook page (accessible on the Home page and from the Live tab). A recording will also be available to view later as an upload on the Roaring Stories YouTube channel.

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ABOUT RAISED BY WOLVES

Growing up Cantonese in the racist outer suburbs was hard enough for Jess Ho, but add in a dysfunctional family who only made peace over food, and it was clear that a normal life was never on the menu. Jess emerged from childhood with a major psychological complex and a kick-arse palate, traits that would help them fit right into the messy world of Melbourne’s food scene.

In hospitality, Jess found a new family of outsiders who shared their lust for life and appetite for destruction. As the Australian food scene exploded, fuelled the kinds of ‘exotic’ foods Jess had grown up on, they became one of the most influential voices in Australia’s bar and restaurant scene. But the industry Jess loved had its own dysfunctions: greed, ego, sexual harassment, exploitation and a never-ending fetishisation of Asian food culture. And Jess wasn’t one to hold their tongue.

Raised by Wolves is a fierce, funny and razor-sharp coming of age story from a savage new voice.