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Oral Histories

The SFA oral history program documents life stories from the American South. Collecting these stories, we honor the people whose labor defines the region. If you would like to contribute to SFA’s oral history collections, please send your ideas for oral history along with your CV or Resume and a portfolio of prior oral history work to annemarie@southernfoodways.org.

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ORAL HISTORY

Brandon Lally

Bywater American Bistro

Brandon Lally, born in 1992, grew up in Washington, Louisiana, and has family roots in New Orleans. Lally worked in real estate and design and sought out restaurant work on the side to help supplement his renovation work on his childhood home. He was a member of the opening staff of Bywater American Bistro.

When the Pandemic hit in March 2020, Bywater American Bistro was forced to close. Lally and the rest of his colleagues were laid off. As of June 2020, he decided to not return to service work. The pandemic radically shifted his perspective on work and his relationship to the world. He decided to leave service industry work and the United States. In 2021, Lally moved to Brazil on a student visa.

Date of interview:
2020-10-20

Interviewer:
Rien Fertel

Photographer:

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