1800 Lasagne unlayered: How a cult Melbourne dining room hid a toxic workplace
In 2020, during Australia's lockdowns, Joey Kellock launched 1800 Lasagne, a successful food delivery service that later expanded into a physical restaurant in Thornbury, Melbourne. The venue gained popularity, receiving high praise from critics and attracting notable figures such as Jamie Oliver. However, behind the scenes, the restaurant faced significant issues, including financial instability, owing millions in taxes and unpaid staff superannuation. Staff members reported a toxic work environment under Kellock, who allegedly engaged in excessive drinking, drug use, and verbal abuse toward employees. These behaviors reportedly occurred in front of customers and created a hostile atmosphere for staff. Despite the restaurant's external success, internal problems led to its eventual collapse in August 2023, after which it was sold to a related entity.
In late 2024, the high-profile Melbourne restaurant 1800 Lasagne, once celebrated for its vibrant atmosphere and signature lasagna dishes, faced a dramatic unraveling. The establishment, founded by Joey Kellock, had risen to prominence during the pandemic, offering a unique blend of gourmet food delivery and a trendy dining experience in Thornbury. However, behind the scenes, reports emerged of a toxic work environment marked by alleged misconduct, financial mismanagement, and internal strife. These issues culminated in the restaurant's eventual collapse in August of the previous year, followed by its resale to a connected entity and Kellock's subsequent return to the venue. The origins of 1800 Lasagne trace back to 2020, when Kellock, known for organizing festivals, pivoted to capitalize on the growing demand for home-cooked meals amid lockdown restrictions. His Dial-A-Lasagne service quickly gained traction, leading to a surge in popularity and a robust online presence. By November 2020, the business expanded into a physical location on High Street in Thornbury, drawing notable patrons such as celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. The restaurant received accolades, including a prestigious hat award from The Age Good Food team in 2023, which praised it as a "perfect restaurant." However, the public image of 1800 Lasagne belied the challenges within. Staff members described a workplace riddled with issues, including Kellock's alleged excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs, verbal abuse, and threats to employees' job security. Josie Van Doren, a former front-of-house worker, recounted instances where Kellock, despite appearing amiable, would become confrontational and aggressive, particularly when intoxicated. She noted occasions where he consumed large quantities of alcohol rapidly, leading to situations where he questioned staff about their actions, often under the influence. The situation escalated further when a series of social media posts raised concerns about Kellock's behavior. In response, the business engaged an HR firm to investigate these allegations. The findings revealed serious misconduct, including sexual harassment, misuse of power, substance abuse on premises, and inappropriate relationships with younger employees. Despite these revelations, the restaurant attempted to manage its public image while addressing internal issues privately. Following the HR review, Kellock agreed to step away from the venue for nearly two years, from mid-2024 until March of this year. During this period, the business continued to struggle financially, accumulating debts totaling $2 million, including unpaid staff superannuation. The financial strain, combined with the reputational damage from the allegations, contributed to the restaurant's eventual collapse in August of the prior year. As the dust settled, the future of 1800 Lasagne remained uncertain. The resale to a related entity marked a new chapter, yet the legacy of Kellock's tenure lingered. Former employees expressed mixed feelings about the changes, acknowledging the need for reform while reflecting on the challenges they endured. The restaurant's journey from a celebrated culinary hotspot to a cautionary tale underscores the complexities of managing a successful enterprise amidst personal and professional turmoil.
In 2020, during Australia's lockdowns, Joey Kellock launched 1800 Lasagne, a successful food delivery service that later expanded into a physical restaurant in Thornbury, Melbourne. The venue gained popularity, receiving high praise from critics and attracting notable figures such as Jamie Oliver. However, behind the scenes, the restaurant faced significant issues, including financial instability, owing millions in taxes and unpaid staff superannuation. Staff members reported a toxic work environment under Kellock, who allegedly engaged in excessive drinking, drug use, and verbal abuse toward employees. These behaviors reportedly occurred in front of customers and created a hostile atmosphere for staff. Despite the restaurant's external success, internal problems led to its eventual collapse in August 2023, after which it was sold to a related entity.
Bias read (Progressive): The article highlights systemic workplace issues, employee mistreatment, and corporate mismanagement, which align with progressive concerns about labor rights and accountability. The narrative emphasizes the negative impact on staff and the failure of leadership, suggesting criticism of power imbaln
Why factuality (75): The article provides a detailed account of 1800 Lasagne's rise and fall, citing specific dates, events, and quotes from Joey Kellock. It mentions the business's success, expansion, and eventual financial issues. While there is no primary source document, the information aligns with the cross-source
Why objectivity (65): The tone of the article leans towards critical reporting, highlighting the negative aspects of the business such as alleged misconduct and financial failure. While it presents facts objectively, the emphasis on the 'toxic workplace' and the narrative of a 'cult' dining room may introduce a slight bi
The AgeIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 659 days ago
In 2020, during Australia's lockdowns, Joey Kellock launched 1800 Lasagne, a successful delivery service that later expanded into a physical restaurant in Thornbury, Melbourne. The venue gained popularity, receiving high praise from critics and attracting notable figures such as Jamie Oliver. However, behind the scenes, Kellock's management style was problematic, involving excessive alcohol consumption, drug use, and verbal abuse toward employees. Staff reported instances of Kellock becoming aggressive and threatening their jobs while under the influence, despite appearing remorseful afterward. Financial issues also plagued the business, with significant debts to the tax office and unpaid employee superannuation. These problems ultimately led to the restaurant's collapse in August 2023, after which it was sold to a related entity.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of the events surrounding 1800 Lasagne, detailing both its rise and the internal issues that led to its downfall. It includes perspectives from former employees and does not exhibit overtly biased language or selective sourcing.
Why factuality (75): Similar to the first article, this piece covers the same events regarding 1800 Lasagne, including its launch, popularity, and subsequent downfall. It references the same quotes and financial figures. The lack of a primary source means the factuality is based on cross-referencing with other reports,
Why objectivity (65): This article maintains a similar critical tone as the previous one, focusing on the negative aspects of the business. The language used to describe the workplace conditions and management practices suggests a somewhat biased perspective, even though the factual content remains largely aligned with o
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