FOH with Kelly Sullivan and Lillian DeVane: Recent Episodes
FOH
FOH (front of house) is a weekly podcast about the restaurant industry brought to you by two service industry veterans.
Sometimes political, usually dumb, always a good dang laugh!
It's a spooky throwback! Listen to our very first horror stories episode from way back in 2018!
A celebrity food quiz game from the FOH team you know and love! (Kelly has been in Europe so he's an ep we recorded before she left us!)
Kelly and Lillian discuss an article by Eyal Press about tip credit/tipped wage policies and the power of the NRA (restaurant one)
Kelly and Lillian discuss an academic paper detailing the rise of takeout and delivery and the ties to technological innovation
On the anniversary of the Dust Bowl, Kelly and Lillian prepare for our beautiful future with some foodways from our past....and future??
You didn't ask for it, you don't want it, but here's our famed one year anniversary COVID show! We (thank you Ted) pieced together our show's timeline of NYC restaurant life during 2020, from jokes to tears and back again!
Kelly and Lillian discuss "ripped from the headlines" stories, covering the Shirley Temple King, recent ICE raids in NYC, and food horror
Kelly and Lillian discuss art gallery "restaurants" and their cousin predecessor, the department store tea room
For the (??) year in a row we bring you YOUR horror stories from the service front lines...turn off the lights if you dare!!
Kelly and Lillian discuss what restaurants will look like in a Trump or Harris presidency Note THIS WAS RECORED HOURS BEFORE MAYOR ADAMS WAS INDICTED
Kelly and Lillian discuss what crimes they would commit for a good old-fashioned restaurant bribe
Kelly and Lillian discuss disguises for restaurant critics, and what establishments are best for cheating
Kelly and Lillian discuss opioid use in the fishing industry and community solutions within occupations
Kelly and Lillian do a fake deep dive into the state dinner tradition, as well as make an official FOH presidential endorsement!
Listen back to an episode from 2018 where we discuss our experiences with service dogs in restaurants!
Kelly and Lillian discuss the new trend in bot and cretin-made reservations at trendy restaurants
WE'RE BACK!!! Kelly and Lillian discuss the latest NYC restaurant grifter and much much more
Kelly and Lillian discuss some BAD BOSSES who have been in the news, plus an on-air reveal from Kelly
Lillian and Kelly discuss what dishes to bring in times of sickness and grief, but in a fun way!
Kelly and Lillian bid 2023 adieu in an end of year wrap up/predictions for the New Year!
Kelly and Lillian use their hospitality expertise to design the perfect climate crisis party
Lillian and Kelly discuss the horrifying reality of corporate real estate's impact on local restaurants in Portland, OR
Kelly and Lillian discuss a defamation lawsuit involving a fancy hotel and a crazed teen
Kelly and Lillian do a classic "ripped from the headlines" episode featuring the chef from Horses debacle
Kelly and Lillian do a classic "ripped from the headlines" episode featuring the chef from Horses debacle
Kelly and Lillian play their first voicemail from the hotline and discuss the 1972 Church's Chicken strike in Atlanta
The gals are a little behind schedule so here's a very special patreon episode to hold you over!
Kelly and Lillian do another one of their world-famous "hot or not" and trend prediction episodes
Kelly and Lillian discuss the work of an Italian academic who questions the "traditions" of Italian food
Kelly and Lillian discuss the viral Craigslist job posting that made everyone lose their minds
Kelly and Lillian discuss the recent unionization campaigns in the NYC restaurant industry
We're unlocking our very special patreon episode for all to hear! Please enjoy our conspiracy theory game!
Kelly and Lillian discuss rats, restaurants, and their favorite people in the world: exterminators
Lillian and Kelly discuss the NYC restaurant drama that's unfolded over the last month: McNally, Cordon, and Delvey!
For your nostalgic pleasure (and to get you in the mood for your own submissions!) Here's our second Horror Story Episode from 2019!
For your nostalgic pleasure (and to get you in the mood for your own submissions!) Here's our very first Horror Story Episode from 2018!
Kelly and Lillian describe their own personal worst nightmare dinner party, with some shocking results
Kelly and Lillian discuss the recent trend of reinstating "strict" dress codes in restaurants
Here's a modern classic patreon episode released from the vault! Pull up a pillow and join in on the gabfest!
Apologies for zoom quality audio Kelly and Lillian have some thoughts on mead, the ancient drink of the gods
Kelly and Lillian are BACK from their mini break, and have LOTS of news! They discuss the changing rhythm of dining out, trends and probably too many personal anecdotes!
Kelly and Lillian discuss an absolutely INSANE service story, and food in the Sims universe
Kelly and Lillian discuss an article about Salt Fat Acid Heat being Marxist (??) and accidentally have a good time!
Kelly and Lillian discuss a piece about restaurants surviving a hundred years in NYC and wonder...do they have what it takes?
It's the end of an insane year and Kelly and Lillian give you their predictions for 2022!
Kelly and Lillian discuss the DAWN program/cafe, where robots are controlled remotely by people with disabilities
This holiday week we are re-releasing our favorite Thanksgiving episodes for you to listen to while chopping chestnuts. Happy FOH-giving!
This holiday week we are re-releasing our favorite Thanksgiving episodes for you to listen to while chopping chestnuts. Happy FOH-giving!
Kelly and Lillian discuss the concept of a freelance/gig economy restaurant model and how much it sucks
It's the RETURN OF THE LIVING HORROR STORIES! Your own tales of terror as told to crypt keepers Kelly and Lillian!
Kelly and Lillian discuss the recent spike in labor strikes and the strange world of the regular customer relationship
Kelly and Lillian are BACK after a month off and discussing the trend that everyone loves to write about: the espresso martini!
A special episode from the vault to keep you satisfied while Kelly and Lillian are on break!
It's the last NYC episode for Kelly and Lillian and they discuss the general state of the service industry as well as feelings about the cliff ahead
Kelly and Lillian discuss the current labor market, a wedding they went to, and killing dogs
Kelly and Lillian scour the want ads and see what employers are really offering potential employees
Kelly and Lillian discuss the insanity that is Keith McNally and somehow link it to right wing coffee...how do they do it??
Kelly and Lillian discuss a piece of tech reporting that wonders why we don't replace the service jobs no one wants with technology we don't have!
Kelly and Lillian discuss a passage from a 1933 George Orwell book and debate the perfect time in history to be a server
Kelly and Lillian talk about the gin craze in jolly ole London, and share service stories from our newly opened world
Kelly and Lillian discuss the COVID housing crisis and its relationship to the service industry/tourist season
Kelly and Lillian discuss the new vaccine honor code at bars and how everything feels weird
It's the FOH "official" "summer" guide! Kelly and Lillian discuss predictions, anxiety, and food and bev recs for the summer!
Kelly and Lillian tackle three pieces of food/restaurant news: the craft beer take down, sabotage in the Rockaways, and a tragic NYTimes piece
Kelly and Lillian reflect on what they want and miss from the service industry and the new scary fashions in NYC
Kelly and Lillian discuss the downfall of the faux sustainability restaurant on Lummi Island
Kelly and Lillian discuss a piece about neofeudalism that is depressing yet also horrifying
BACK TOGETHER LIVE IN PERSON Lillian and Kelly unpack the current labor shortage narrative and how much B.J. Novak sucks
Kelly and Lillian take a listener question and discuss their humble beginnings in restaurant work
Kelly and Lillian discuss the recent workplace incidents at Jing Fong and Tate's Bake Shop.
Go on a magic COVID ride with Kelly and Lillian as they look back on a year of nightmares!
Kelly and Lillian discuss the food news of the week in this very special ripped from the headlines episode
Kelly and Lillian discuss the new wave of food media, and what that means about them personally!!!!
Kelly and Lillian discuss the shadowy world of corporate restaurant charity in the COVID era
Kelly and Lillian discuss tik tok food videos, the internet spiral, and the popular treatment of food
Enjoy a little bonus content this week and enjoy the smooth sounds of Kelly and Lillian talking about AM radio! Imagine paying for it on Patreon! Could be cool!
Kelly and Lillian discuss how horrible Cuomo is and how his hideous decision to reopen indoor dining is going to kill people!!
Kelly and Lillian discuss automats and their exploitation of labor, and how that's...bad!
Kelly and Lillian talk chef culture, the $15 minimum wage, and sexual harassment preferences
Kelly and Lillian discuss the art of the wine label, and how the people of France are disgusting
Kelly and Lillian tackle the phenomenon of the SoHo house, and the evil of corporate media control :)
It's the official FOH end of the year wrap up! The second annual Kelly Awards! Happy New Year!!!
What's going on at Mac's Pub in Staten Island? A whole lotta chaos! Plus the latest Bon App drama we all crave!
We are unlocking the first episode of our new monthly Patreon feature for the masses! Sorry we were drunk!
Kelly and Lillian discuss how they would create the perfect restaurant/bar...a classic conversation between industry friends, but this time there's no cocaine!
Locked and loaded, Kelly and Lillian discuss the culture of hunting from a New York City apartment
What does the oracle (Pete Wells) say about the future of outdoor dining? It's the weird and wild world of a completely changed NYC and all the people determined to ruin it!
Kelly and Lillian discuss recent blunders in the food/food media world in this time capsule episode recorded the day before the 2020 election!
For their annual sPoOkY episode, Kelly and Lillian discuss a very shady haunted themed restaurant, and the mysterious baron of badly run businesses....
Is the food media world changing with the times? Yes but obviously they are fucking it up!
What's happening with restaurants in NYC? What's happening with the podcast? What's HAPPENING?? It's a full update!
Lillian and Kelly welcome the bounty of fall with their extended musings on the reasons for the seasons
WELL we tried to do a fun episode of us fucking around and Lillian's computer blows and deleted part of the audio in the second half but we kept it anyway and if you listen closely you can hear her in the background when Kelly is talking!!!! Buying a new computer!!!!!!
It's the Mission Chinese drama, it's people as brands, it's everything that's fucked up!!
The gals are talking soup kitchens, Al Capone, the Unabomber, sex ed, and just straight up feeding people
Kelly and Lillian discuss the pandemic eating habits of celebrity run restaurants, how much Cuomo sucks, and other FASCINATING things
Kelly and Lillian discuss the abuse allegations from employees of Archie's pizza, and the abrupt closure of the business.
Kelly and Lillian discuss the recent uptick in pieces about about bad guest behavior and what that means for the service industry and HUMANITY
Kelly and Lillian return from their summer vacation gun blazing!! We talk Italian labor rights, wine people, The Bon App shake up...and so much more
Kelly and Lillian discuss the Sqirl jam drama, general restaurant drama, and update last week's episode with new information
Kelly gives the blow by blow of her former job's handling of the COVID crisis and it ain't pretty!
It's a catch up, catch all episode!! Kelly goes back to work, the 4th of July happened, and everyone is being bad
Kelly and Lillian express their feelings about the current state of reopenings and a NYTimes piece about restaurant memories
Kelly and Lillian discuss the ways in which we care for each other in this moment, through food and community
Kelly and Lillian discuss various brands' responses to and support of Black Lives Matter
Kelly and Lillian discuss a few of the recent "let the restaurant industry die" hot takes...with some takes along the way
Kelly and Lillian discuss the very future of the restaurant industry, which mostly involves mannequins
Kelly and Lillian diplomatically weigh in on the Roman/Kondo/Teigen drama, plus talk about the NRA and other celeb chefs
Kelly and Lillian discuss the restaurant bailout, A PETE WELLS ENCOUNTER, and the future of restaurants!
Kelly and Lillian talk about public health, food as medicine, and the horrors of the clean living movement
Kelly and Lillian try Zoom and tell the sad tale of BOH rebel Mary Mallon, AKA Typhoid Mary
Kelly and Lillian in their separate houses give everyone a quick update on life post service industry
On the heels on the Nevada caucus, Kelly and Lillian discuss the role of the Culinary Union in Bernie's victory
The gals are talking NY minimum wage for tipped workers, someone who was an asshole, and BERNIE
Kelly and Lillian discuss working on Valentine's Day as well as their personal Valentine's experiences.
It's time for Kelly and Lillian to really come down on an Eater piece from 2019! They discuss some complaints about the NYC dining scene, and it gets personal!
Kelly and Lillian discuss the "science" around the fact that most people continue to have nightmares about working in the service industry
Kelly and Lillian go on AT LENGTH about guests and bosses in this extended gossip episode, see Part 2 for bagel content!
Kelly and Lillian discuss the history of the servant class in the UK and also Clive Owen
Kelly and Lillian have a holiday special and also discuss the bread price fixing scandal that follows presidential candidate MAYOR PETE and are very hungover.
Kelly and Lillian discuss the kiwi and other "exotic" food items that changed the face of the NYC food scene in the 1980s
Kelly and Lillian discuss the recent foie gras ban in NY, and how geese and ducks can develop eating disorders, cruelty free.
What and how will we be eating in the future? Some NYC chefs pretend to know, and we pretend to know better!
Lillian and Kelly explore the wild world of the first food related reality show "The Restaurant."
Why is everyone obsessed with Wegmans? Is it a bad thing? What does it mean when suburbia comes to town?
Happy Halloween! We read some listener horror stories and scare ourselves into a new career path!
In this "blooper reel" episode Lillian and Kelly play a spooky food related game that goes horribly wrong!!!
Should kids be allowed in fancy restaurants? What is a parent's responsibility if things head south? Do you want a bathroom attendant to slap you?
It's a deepish dive into the wild world of professional restaurant reviewers, obviously feat. our boy Pete Wells!
Food awards are some of the dumbest things on the planet: discuss! James Beard awards and Michelin stars RUIN LIVES
Restaurants are the perfect place to scam and be scammed, and we take a closer look at the beautiful art known as grifting!
It's the chicken sandwich of summer 2019!! What exactly does a craze like that look like to the workers of Popeye's? What is God's real restaurant??
Is there an impending recession? What does that mean for all of us and for restaurants? Plus, a rape riff!
What is being "sober curious" and how do White Claws fit into this new lifestyle? Also, what exactly did Kelly say to Ira Glass?
Restaurants claim that rising labor costs cause them to close...is that true or are they just bad restaurants???
What does restaurant burn out feel like and what can we do to fix it? We try to tell you!
Our summer programming continues with a look at the eating habits of fascists and what that means for our hideous world!
The days of true celebrity resto hang outs are over, and we bask in their gorgeous glory! Plus, pedophiles!
What do the presidential hopefuls eat for comfort food? What do their bad, fake answers say about them??
We went LIVE again, this time in Boston! We talk Puritans, lack of happy hour, and the dreaded potato famine!
What terrors have been built on the west side on NYC? What disgusting food do they serve in a billionaire's mall? Listen in to find out!
We toss around the term "emotional labor" around a lot, but turns out we are mostly using it incorrectly! Guess what industry does a whole lot of it?
Why are brands becoming more "personal" online and why are they preying on our isolation? It sucks!
For our one year anniversary episode we discuss the glamorous and dangerous world of RAISINS!
Are bartenders responsible for the actions of the people they serve? We don't freakin know!
What was it like to work as a server at the Playboy Bunny Club? Kelly and Lillian discuss being sexy as hell while just doing your job.
Food allergies are scary for everyone, especially the people in charge of making sure you don't die in a restaurant! Kelly and Lillian discuss ways people can ensure their survival.
Are meal kits a sustainable business model? Kelly and Lillian discuss their boom and possible bust.
You've heard the term "natural wine" but what does that really mean? The gals take a stab at explaining the natural wine movement!
This week Lillian and Kelly the issues surrounding dining out while fat, and what, if any, obligations the hospitality industry has in dealing with this now commonplace issue.
Kelly and Lillian discuss Mario Batali and his fallen empire, and what the future holds for other disgraced men.
It's the first ever FOH live show! Kelly and Lillian drank maybe one too many cocktails and discussed the Three Martini Lunch Law.
Ever wonder why the same "joke" about food bloggers writing too much comes from? Kelly and Lillian discuss gender bias in food writing criticism and expertly "go off."
This week the gals are talking all things brunch: the history, why we hate working it, and why if you hate it as a general civilian you are boring!
Get high my dudes and check out this very chill ep where Kelly and Lillian discuss the recent NY ban on CBD in food products!
Berries, grapes, they're all covered in blood! Listen this week as Kelly and Lillian discuss some of the issues surrounding migrant farming communities, Big Berry, and the Delano grape strike.
Kelly and Lillian take a light-hearted romp into the hideous world of gentrification in NYC, namely one specific evil coffee shop landlord!
We all know restaurants are filled with a bunch of hot heads, so what happens when they actually get into fights? This week Kelly and Lillian explore some of New York's best restaurant feuds, and go a little off the deep end in the process.
Adam and Eve on a raft, give em legs! Kelly and Lillian delve into diner lingo and the language of restaurants, and Lillian gets to talk about Waffle House for half an hour!
It's dry January and it's ruining our lives! Kelly and Lillian discuss the effects of being temporarily sober and being sober in the service industry.
Happy New Year, we live in hell! Kelly and Lillian do their best to deconstruct the intersection of tech bro and food, like Soylent, bro bread, and the future of restaurants. It's a nightmare!
It's our very special NYE episode! Kelly and Lillian discuss ways to beat the craziness of the holiday and tell tales of parties past.
It's the best and wort of the year according to Lillian and Kelly! What did they love about food and drink? What did they hate? Let's find out together!
It's a festive episode where Kelly and Lillian discuss their favorite Christmas foods, gifts, and songs! Get cozy!
Lillian and Kelly finally let everyone know just how they feel about a gratuity free model! It's...bad!
An article in Thrillist describes the fall of a beloved burger joint due to the complications of food tourism. Kelly and Lillian discuss the hazards of food listicles, the dawn of Big Weed, and Lillian tells her ghost story from New Orleans! Also the burger joint owner turned out to be a domestic abuser! We didn't know until after we recorded this episode!
What was the first Thanksgiving about, really? Kelly and Lillian barely try to answer this question but do talk a lot about one of their favorite holidays and do some catching up!
You love getting delivery, you love how fast and delicious it is but are you also calling the COPS on the guys who get it to you? Well stop! Kelly and Lillian discuss the economic and social repercussions of ebike legislature! It's HILARIOUS and INTERESTING!
Kelly and Lillian watched the 2012 documentary "Somm" so you don't have to! They discuss the Master Sommelier test and all the prep work that rich white guys in San Francisco have to do to get ready for it!
In this lighthearted bonus episode, Lillian and Kelly discuss ghosts in restaurants and the paranormal in general! Scary!
It's more spooky content! Lillian explores the case of Anjette Lyles, murderer, waitress, and restaurant owner!
Get ready for another spooky episode because what's scarier than...hippies...and health food??? Kelly and Lillian discuss cult controlled restaurants like The Yellow Deli, and how restaurants are also cults!
Kelly and Lillian kick off October and tell some of their own horror stories from spooky, nightmare guests! They even read a couple of listener tales of terror!
It's been a long week, and Kelly and Lillian roughly lay out some reasons why Australians are becoming more prevalent in NYC's coffee scene. But they mostly yell.
Restaurant unions, fast food worker strikes, and hot anarchists are this week's topics and Kelly and Lillian deliver the cold, hard, historical facts! But it's fun!
Happy birthday to Kelly and happy 20th episode to all of us! Lillian and Kelly tackle the topic of cashless businesses, automation in the restaurant industry, and robots as a threat to our way of life!
In 2013 journalist and government surveillance critic Michael Hastings was killed in an automobile accident in Los Angeles, under what some believe to be suspicious circumstances. Also, Kelly and Lillian give you tips on how to host a party in your home!
Kelly and Lillian discuss the growing wildfire problem in California and how climate change is changing the lives of farmworkers, restaurants, and life as we know it. Lillian discusses bad Colorado wine.
Kelly and Lillian discuss the ancient habit of gendering guests in fine dining and how some restaurants are working toward gender blind service. Come for that, stay for Lillian's hatred of the west coast and Kelly's hatred of Frank Bruni!
What really cures a hangover? Thankfully Lillian and Kelly have tested the limits of every home remedy and share them with you!
Kelly and Lillian rip into an opinion piece in the New York Times that asks this very question, and the answer is obviously fucking yes! Watch out Britney Bronson, we're coming for both your jobs!
Moonshiners! Speakeasies! Illegal Abortions! The 1920s were a real mixed bag, including the infamous laws that gave us the Prohibition. Find out how an everyday server became a millionaire peddling bogus hooch! Discover why everything was super racist! It's the 1920s!
Kelly and Lillian get a little intimate and contemplate the best ways to pick up people both behind and in front of the bar! Kelly learns what pearl jam means! Not family friendly!
You (sort of) asked for it! This week Kelly and Lillian tackle plastic straws, the ever popular straw ban, and what that means in terms of hospitality and accessibility.
This week Kelly and Lillian discuss why they work in restaurants, and the importance of the "third space" in our society. Plus, babyccinos are discussed and properly ridiculed.
For their tenth episode, Kelly and Lillian switch it up a little, and reveal the nefarious organizations behind the food we eat! From pizza to olive oil to sushi...we've all got blood in our mouths!
What do you order at a bar, and why? Kelly and Lillian think they have the answers, as well a offer some advice on how to arrive at your own signature drink!
This week Kelly and Lillian discuss the misuse of service dogs in restaurants by rich people, Ken Friedman and Gabrielle Hamilton, and round it out with a couple tales of their own worst service mistakes. Truly a wild ride!
Kelly and Lillian pay tribute to Anthony Bourdain, discuss mental health in the service industry, and question if doctors are actually doing work!
Kelly and Lillian discuss the cocktail boom and subsequent bust, maybe apologize for saying plastic straws are okay, and accidentally think about kicking dogs.
In this special bonus episode Kelly and Lillian discuss what really makes them tick when serving you. Also, they love plastic straws and you will pry them from their cold dead hands!
This week the gals dive into patio culture, why people lose their minds when sitting outside, unions, inflatable rats, and going to the doctor while buzzed! It's not a great idea!
Lillian and Kelly dive deep into the larger issues surrounding tips and sexual harassment, but don't worry, it's still hilarious!
Kelly and Lillian dish on their favorite celebrity restaurant encounters, and even forget their names! We're talkin Colin Kaepernick, John Slattery, Kim Gordon, David Harbour and Bob Saget!
In this very special pilot episode, we meet server Kelly and bartender Lillian as they discuss service industry representation in the media and also how a French person was a total weirdo! We forgot who Rob Schneider was!