One Year Later: Audio Diaries from the First Frightening Weeks of Shutdown

As we mark the one-year anniversary of the pandemic, now is a time to reflect on what we've endured. The audio I'm sharing today was collected in those first weeks of the pandemic, when restaurants, bars, and cafes sat dark and quiet across the nation. Owners were unsure if they would ever be able to re-open and hundreds of thousands had lost their jobs as millions were quarantining at home. You'll hear from chefs and restaurant owners from around the nation in their own words about the impossible and life-changing decisions they had to make as they adapted to the realities of COVID-19. 

And before we begin: I am working on a future episode of theLINE and I want to speak to you; if you are a front of house or back of house worker, whether you've been working or not working during the past year of the COVID pandemic, if you were fired or furloughed or decided to leave the hospitality industry or take a break. I want to hear your story about what the last year has been like for you. If you are willing to share your story and you'd like to speak to me, you can get in touch with me by emailing [e-mail]. Or you can send me a DM on Instagram to @thesussmans. I would love to hear from you to connect with you and be able to potentially share your story on a future episode.

In Part One, Stories from:

Steven Satterfield - Chef/Owner Miller Union Atlanta @millerunionchef

Alex Raij Founder, Chef, Owner Txikito, El quinto pino, La Vara, Saint Julivert Fisherie NYC @alexraij 

Andy Hollyday Chef/Co-Owner Selden Standard Detroit @chefandy42

Dave Mancini Chef/Owner Supino Pizzeria Detroit @supinopizzeria 

Hannah Jacobs Co-Owner Babydudes Brooklyn @babydudes 

Dan Kluger Chef/Owner Loring Place NYC @dan_kluger

Marina Michelson Co-Owner Paper or Plastik Cafe @paper_plastic

 

And after the break, perspectives from:

Aktar Nawab, Chef and Owner - Alta Calidad - NYC, New Orleans, Omaha @altacalidadbk @chefaktar

Max Katzenberg & Greg Baxtrom - Co-Owner and Chef/Co-Owner - Olmsted and Maison Yaki Brooklyn @olmstednyc @nyhospcoalition 

Brent Kroll - Owner Sommelier - Maxwell Park Washington D.C. - @btkroll @maxwellpark_shaw @maxwellpark_navyyard

Camilla Marcus Restaurateur - Westbourne NY - @camilla.marcus @westbourne @roar.ny @indprestaurants 

Whitney Otawka - Chef - Greyfield Inn - Cumberland Island, GA - @greyfieldinn