Christina Howard, aka Tina Nguyen, started her restaurant career at the college age of 19, working as a greeter at The Olive Garden in Westwood. She eventually moved on to such places as Cafe 50s, where she powered through early mornings and manager harassment. We discuss the dilemma of gluten intolerance, how serving is a spiritual lesson in humility, and Christina's blossoming stand-up career. Enjoy!

Tim DeLone grew up all over the country but began his restaurant journey in the Big Easy while attending Tulane University. He also perfected his serving skills at an Italian restaurant in Washington, D.C., where a secret shopper gave him a score of 100%. We discuss the madness of waiting tables in New Orleans, the liquor sponsored softball league for bars in Georgetown, and Tim's comedy career, including hosting the open mic at Karma Lounge. Enjoy!

The very funny Dana Moon was eager to begin her restaurant career as a teenager, where she worked at Friendly's in East Windsor, Connecticut. She continued her server path as a senior at USC in Hermosa Beach, where she dodged invitations to play beer pong from a creepy manager. After college she moved on to Morton's Steakhouse, dabbling in the rigid, stressful world of corporate fine dining. We discuss the difficulty of building a community in LA, her thriving stand-up career, and her podcast called MoonMe. Enjoy! 

Julia Pels worked in her hometown of Chicago at the Lion's Pub, a traditional pub which doubled as an upstairs club at night. She discusses her tenure there, which included some very generous regulars coupled with long nights carrying large trays across shouting crowds of club goers. We discuss the caste system of tip outs, her transition into retail and the downsides of other customer service jobs, and her show Killer Unicorns, which she hosts monthly at the NerdMelt Showroom. Enjoy!

Originally from New Jersey, Phil started his restaurant career in college at the empire that is Starbucks Coffee, where he learned that waking up at 4am was not a blessing. He eventually waited tables at various locations in New York City, learning that his Italian heritage did nothing for his tips at Italian restaurants. We talk about the pros and cons of a Starbucks barista, working fancy catering events at Lincoln Center, and Phil's comedy pursuits that led him to Los Angeles. Enjoy!

Comedian Cruz began his restaurant career as a teenager working at a sit-down Pizza Hut, spilling mountain dew on his local Burtonsville, MD customers. He eventually moved to Baltimore, serving and bartending in a number of restaurants, including City Lights and Sotto Sopra, where he learned to appreciate wine and honed his serving skills. We discuss his experience working in three major US cities, our love of Italian wine, and his other side hustle in the massage therapy world. Enjoy!

Originally from Los Angeles, the hilarious David Murphy, aka Murph, got his start catering epic parties for the likes of P.Diddy and Maxim. He also catered for Patina at the Hollywood Bowl, where he discovered his appreciation for Radiohead. Eventually he made it to the famous Saddle Ranch in Universal City, where a run-in with a secret shopper costed him more than his gratuity. We discuss the perks of catering gigs (free alcohol), his thriving stand-up career, and his podcast, 60 Shots to Fame. Enjoy!

The lovely Frieda de Lackner began working in food as a high schooler, catering parties with her best friend in Berkeley, CA. This led to a job at the world renowned Chez Panisse. While dabbling in the restaurant world, she pursued a thriving acting and directing career, producing a performance Natalie actually witnessed as a teenager. We discuss the importance of teamwork, our love for the Bay Area, and Frieda's current pursuits in producing, including her own short called Meeting Matt Damon. Enjoy!

Rachel Paulson started bartending in her college town of Tallahassee, FL at none other than Bullwinkle's Saloon. Eventually she made it out to LA and has worked across the city, including at Franklin & Company, where she got sweet revenge on a very rude celebrity. We discuss the scandal involved behind the sudden closing of one gig, her experience learning from Julian Cox, and her hilarious chat show called Drink Responsibly. Enjoy!

Originally from Pittsburgh, Chris Wivell got his start as a teenager serving at a restaurant called Mardi Gras, where he first learned the perks of serving. He then moved to San Diego where he began his journey into the sushi world. After a few years, he landed in LA, working at such hot spots as Nobu and Blue Plate. We discuss the brutal commute to Malibu, the strange requests of California eaters, and his amazing stand-up career, which has taken him all over the world. Enjoy!