Radio Cherry Bombe

We’re launching a new Radio Cherry Bombe mini-series today—The Future Of Food Is You! Over four episodes, dropping each Thursday, host Abena Anim-Somuah will introduce us to emerging voices and innovative creatives in the world of food. For our first episode, Cherry Bombe founder Kerry Diamond welcomes Abena and learns more about her passion for community, her love for pop-ups and new food ventures, her global mindset, and what her brand The Eden Place is all about. Then, Abena kicks off The Future Of Food Is You with Sarah Teich, director of marketing at the hospitality agency Oyster Sunday and the founder of Produce Parties. Sarah and Abena talk about food and marketing trends, her work with restaurants, and the company she created to build community via seasonal fruits and vegetables. Sarah makes a few predictions and leaves a message for herself 10 years from now on The Future Of Food Is You voicemail. Thank you to Cypress Grove for sponsoring The Future Of Food Is You mini-series. For recipes, pairings,

It took a little while before award-winning writer Osayi Endolyn answered her calling, but the food world is fortunate she did, as she’s put a number of thoughtful projects into the world. In addition to articles and essays for the likes of Time, Food52, and Oxford American, Osayi has co-authored two special books: The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food with Marcus Samuelsson, and Black Power Kitchen with the Bronx-based collective Ghetto Gastro. The latter was just published by Artisan and it’s a tour de force of art, cuisine, culture, and creativity. Osayi joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about the process behind the books and how to bring participants’ voices forward in literary collaborations. She also shares early food memories and the path that got her where she is today. Don’t miss Part 1 of today’s show with the co-founder of Ghetto Gastro, Jon Gray, out now. Listen to both episodes wherever you get your podcasts. Ghetto Gastro would love for you to buy a copy of Black Power Kitchen from

Jon Gray is the co-founder of Ghetto Gastro, a 10-year-old culinary-and-arts collective from the Bronx that has the goal of nourishing the world while celebrating Black food and culture. Their debut book, Black Power Kitchen, is one of the most anticipated cookbooks of the fall, but it is way more than a collection of recipes, as Jon explains. He also shares some stories from his own life, the inspiration his mother has provided over the years, and how the culinary world drew him in. In the second half of the show, Jon talks about Ghetto Gastro’s expansion into the packaged food business with their Wavy Waffle Mix, Sovereign Syrups, and kitchen appliances with the line called CRUXGG that’s found everywhere from Target to Williams Sonoma. Don’t miss Part 2 of today’s show with Jon’s co-author, the award-winning writer Osayi Endolyn. Coming soon! Ghetto Gastro would love for you to buy a copy of Black Power Kitchen from a Black-owned bookstore, like The Lit. Bar in the Bronx. Check out our 2nd annual Cooks &

Janet Hayes started her job as CEO of Crate & Barrel Holdings in August 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic. The retail industry veteran looked at it as an opportunity to connect with the company’s customers more deeply and leaned into the idea of “courage over comfort.” Host Kerry Diamond interviews Janet at her office in Crate & Barrel headquarters in Northbrook, Illinois, and the two discuss Janet’s early days as one of six kids, her career in retail, what attracted her to Crate & Barrel, and what advice she has for entrepreneurs. They also discuss Crate & Barrel’s new collaboration with Athena Calderone of Eyeswoon. More on Janet: LinkedIn, Crate & Barrel, the Athena Calderone collectionCheck out our Cooks & Books line-up here, happening Nov. 5th & 6th at Ace Hotel Brooklyn! Radio Cherry Bombe is a production of Cherry Bombe Magazine. Our theme song is by the band Tra La La. Thank you to Tom Brown of Innova Digital and sound mixer Kelly Askam of Mind Exchange Music LLC fo

When chefs and life partners Rita Sodi and Jody Williams opened their Greenwich Village restaurant Via Carota in 2014, they had no idea what was to come. They didn’t know folks would one day clamor to get in, The New Yorker would christen their spot “New York’s Most Perfect Restaurant,” or that their Insalata Verde would become the ne plus ultra of simple green salads. But just as Rita and Jody fell in love with each other, their fans fell in love with their restaurant. The two catalog all that is special about their spot in the new cookbook, Via Carota: A Celebration of Seasonal Cooking from the Beloved Greenwich Village Restaurant, and they join host Kerry Diamond to talk about it. Find out how Rita and Jody met, their different paths to the kitchen, and what’s next for their lovingly tended restaurant group, which also includes Bar Pissellino, The Commerce Inn, I Sodi, and Buvette. Also, catch Rita and Jody in person at Cherry Bombe’s 2nd Annual Cooks & Books festival in conversation with Ruth Reichl.

Professor, author, and food marketing watchdog Marion Nestle was a late bloomer. As she explains, she didn’t make her mark professionally until her groundbreaking book Food Politics was published in 2002. Marion was 66. “That’s kind of late to get started,” she tells host Kerry Diamond. In Marion’s new memoir, Slow Cooked: An Unexpected Life In Food Politics, she looks at the societal and familial forces—and the personal hang-ups—that stood in her way. Don’t miss this revealing conversation with one of the most inspiring individuals in the food world. Marion also talks about the NYU food studies program she helped launch, the food policy changes she would make if she were President, and the reasons she finally decided to write a memoir. Learn more about Marion’s book tour here. Our podcast is recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Our theme song is by the band Tra La La.Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here!Want to come to Jubilee 2023? Sna

Molly Yeh has come a long way since starting her blog, My Name Is Yeh. She moved to Minnesota, got married, became a mom, and filmed 12 seasons of her Food Network show, Girl Meets Farm. She’s also penned two cookbooks, including her latest, Home Is Where The Eggs Are, a heartfelt and often humorous look at her life and the recipes she creates. Molly’s grand adventure continues with Bernie’s, a restaurant that she and her husband are opening in a historic spot in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. Bernie’s will feature Molly’s favorite baked goods, local produce, and the kind of Midwestern classics you can’t find in restaurants, like cookie salad. Molly chats with host Kerry Diamond about her reasons for wanting to open a restaurant, the inspiration behind her new book, and her favorite foods—from power bagels to granola bars to halva. Our podcast is recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Our theme song is by the band Tra La La.Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes a

One of our favorite guests, Nigella Lawson, stops by for a quick chat about her upcoming North American tour in support of her latest book, “Cook, Eat, Repeat.” Her 16-city tour kicks off Nov. 7th in Boston and you can snag tickets here. Nigella and host Kerry Diamond also talk dried herbs (they’ve gotten much better, swears Nigella), her Chicken in a Pot with Lemon & Orzo, and what books she’s reading and loving. In the second half of the show, we have a special talk from our Jubilee 2022 conference in New York City. Cheryl Day, the beloved baker behind “Cheryl Day’s Treasure of Southern Baking” and co-owner of Savannah’s Back in the Day Bakery, speaks about finding her calling and honoring the legacy of the women in her family. Introducing Cheryl is Executive Pastry Chef Caroline Schiff of Gage & Tollner restaurant in Brooklyn.  If you’d like to join us for Jubilee 2023, you can buy an Early Bird Ticket at cherrybombe.com. Jubilee 2023 is taking place Saturday, April 15th, at Center415 in New York C

Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Maneesh Goyal are on a mission to share the rich culture, cuisine, and hospitality of India with everyone they can. Priyanka, the groundbreaking actor and UNICEF ambassador, and Maneesh, an entrepreneur and Planned Parenthood board member, joined forces last year to open Sona, a pan-Indian restaurant in New York City, but they didn’t stop there. They recently launched Sona Home, a companion luxury brand that features tabletop items and housewares. The two friends sat down with host Kerry Diamond to talk about Sona, Sona Home, and the intention behind each brand. Priyanka also shares a few stories about her teenage years in Iowa, while Maneesh takes us back to 1979 and the opening of his father’s restaurant, which was the very first Indian restaurant in Texas. They also help us navigate the Sona menu and reveal their must-order items. Radio Cherry Bombe is supported by Whole Foods and Anjali’s Cup. Discover what’s local and special at the Whole Foods nearest you.Snag your Jubilee 2023

What’s it like running the pastry departments at two of New York City’s buzziest fine dining restaurants? We find out when Michelle Palazzo, director of pastry operations for Le Rock and Frenchette restaurants, and Mariah Neston, Le Rock’s executive pastry chef, join us for today’s episode. The two didn’t know each other before meeting in the kitchen at the critically acclaimed Frenchette, but they quickly formed a professional partnership and support system that has served them well. Today, Mariah calls Michelle her mentor and Michelle says Mariah is her “ride or die.” The two chat with host Kerry Diamond about the journeys that led them to fine dining, how they collaborate with their teams to make some of the city’s best desserts, and what makes a great pastry chef. Radio Cherry Bombe is supported by Whole Foods. Discover what’s local and special at the Whole Foods nearest you. Our podcast is recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Our theme song is by the band Tra La La. Subsc

When Danielle Walker was 22 years old and a newlywed, she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. The autoimmune disease was debilitating, and Danielle wasn’t sure she’d achieve any of the goals or dreams she had set for herself, from having a family to working in publishing or P.R. A medical emergency abroad helped her realize there could be a connection between her illness and diet, and so began a long journey toward healing herself and helping countless people through her cookbooks, classes, and community. Her latest and fifth book, Healthy In A Hurry, is the perfect guide for those time-pressed but in search of solutions for eating well. Danielle joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about Healthy In A Hurry and how her life and outlook have changed from those early days. Radio Cherry Bombe is supported by Wild Planet, leaders in sustainable seafood. For more information, recipes, and a store locator, head to wildplanetfoods.com. Our podcast is recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York Cit

Amber Mayfield doesn’t let much get in her way. The events she worked on at her corporate job were a little stale, so she launched her own events company, To Be Hosted. She thought Black culinary creatives deserved attention year-round, not just for Black History Month, so she launched her own print and digital magazine, While Entertaining. She wanted to pay homage to her grandmother’s recipes, so she self-published a recipe journal (coming this fall), rather than go the traditional publishing route. Amber is organized, centered, and spiritual and she joins host Kerry Diamond to share her story. Don’t miss this episode!Radio Cherry Bombe is supported by Wild Planet, leaders in sustainable seafood. For more information, recipes, and a store locator, head to wildplanetfoods.com. Our podcast is recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Our theme song is by the band Tra La La.Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here!Want to come to Jubilee 2023? Snag

It’s two legends, one stage on today’s show as we dip into the Jubilee archives. Don’t miss this wise and warm conversation between Madhur Jaffrey and Padma Lakshmi from the Cherry Bombe Jubilee Conference in Brooklyn in Spring 2019. Madhur, says Padma, “is the greatest living writer on Indian food—ever.” Padma, the star of Top Chef and Taste the Nation and a best-selling author, interviewed Madhur and it was a riveting exchange that touched on a wide range of topics: protesting with Mahatma Gandhi, working with the legendary cookbook editor Judith Jones, facing discrimination as an Indian actress, and cheering on the young women championing both Indian food and representation today, including Priya Krishna and Meera Sodha. Introducing Madhur and Padma are Suzanne and Michelle Rousseau. The sisters and culinary superstars from Jamaica are the authors of the cookbooks Provisions and Caribbean Potluck.Jubilee is Cherry Bombe’s annual conference and has become the largest gathering of women in the world of food

Violeta Edelman’s fascinating journey begins in the Amazon. She was a curious 20-year-old from Buenos Aires looking for the answers to life and searching for a soulmate at, of all places, an ayahuasca conference. She found her soulmate, wound up in Washington, D.C., and launched a gelato business with lots of enthusiasm but zero experience. There were lots of tears, expensive mistakes, and a contractor who ran off with their money, but they found a passionate audience for Dolcezza Gelato and things eventually turned around. Today, there are six Dolcezza locations in D.C., and their pints of gelato can be found in more than 3,000 grocery stores nationwide. Violeta stopped by our studio to chat with host Kerry Diamond about her unlikely path to entrepreneurship. She shares her story and some advice, and encourages everyone to trust themselves and never stop learning and growing. Radio Cherry Bombe is supported by Whole Foods Market and Anjali’s Cup. Learn more at wholefoodsmarket.com. Snag early-bird tickets to

If you’ve watched the Netflix reboot of Iron Chef, you know one of the hardest jobs is held by… the judges! Sure, the chefs are under pressure to get their dishes done and to the judges’ table in record time, but someone has to eat all that food—and pass judgment on the country’s top culinary talent. Globetrotter and TV personality Nilou Motamed handled the gig with aplomb. The food and travel expert joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about the show, the comfort foods and hospitality traditions of her native Iran, and some formative experiences from her childhood. If you love the intersection of culture and cuisine, don’t miss this episode. Radio Cherry Bombe is supported by Whole Foods Market and Anjali’s Cup. Learn more at wholefoodsmarket.com. Our podcast is recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Our theme song is by the band Tra La La.Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here!More on Nilou: Instagram, WebsiteIron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legen

If Courtney Storer’s life sounds like an episode of The Bear, it’s no surprise. She’s the culinary producer of the hit show, which was created by her brother, Christopher Storer. The restaurant world has reacted strongly to The Bear and its portrayal of kitchen culture. Courtney, for her part, was drawn to the restaurant industry as a teenager but had to lie about her age to snag her first job. She later wound up working in HR, but was encouraged to attend culinary school because of her passion for cooking. That led to a stint in Paris and senior roles at Animal and Jon & Vinny’s, the critically acclaimed Los Angeles restaurants.Courtney joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her culinary journey and what it was like working with the cast and crew of The Bear to accurately portray back-of-house life. She also talks about Raising Foodies, a program developed by the Alliance of Moms to teach individuals in L.A.’s foster care system how to make affordable meals for themselves and their families. If you enjoy

Years ago, when Esther Choi was working behind the scenes of Iron Chef on the Food Network, helping procure specialty groceries for the competitors, she never imagined that one day she’d be battling the country’s best chefs for the show’s top prize. But there she was, part of the star-studded lineup of the new Netflix reboot, Iron Chef: Quest For An Iron Legend. We won’t say if Esther won, but just know there are a few spoiler alerts on this week’s episode. Esther and host Kerry Diamond talk about the series; what next for Mökbar, Esther’s growing chain of Korean ramen eateries; the good and bad of hustle culture; and Esther’s Sessy sesame oil product line. This episode is supported by Wild Planet, leaders in sustainable seafood. For more information, recipes, and a store locator, head to wildplanetfoods.com. This episode is also supported by Whole Foods Market and La Newyorkina. Learn more at wholefoodsmarket.com. Radio Cherry Bombe is recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Our

When the former community organizer Reem Assil opened Reem’s California in Oakland, she knew she wanted to do things differently. But she never could have imagined what was to come. There were protests and death threats, but also industry accolades; a heavy mix for anyone, but especially a new mom and new restaurateur. Reem joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about the early days of Reem’s, her time with La Cocina’s incubator program, and how social justice continues to permeate everything she does. They also discuss Reem’s debut cookbook, Arabiyya: Recipes from the Life of an Arab in Diaspora, a tribute to the food at Reem’s and the Arab hospitality she grew up with and champions today.This episode is supported by Talea Beer Co. For locations and more info, check out taleabeer.com. Radio Cherry Bombe is recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Our theme song is by the band Tra La La.Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here!More on Reem: Instagram,

After an unconventional childhood, Zoë François thought the structure of corporate America seemed very appealing. But once she got there, she realized a desk job was not her future and she started baking to deal with the professional doldrums. That led to a stint at the Culinary Institute of America and the start of a fascinating career. Today, Zoë is the star of Zoë Bakes on the Magnolia Network and the author of Zoë Bakes Cakes, her first solo cookbook. Zoë has become known for her beautiful signature baked goods, including puffy pavlovas and layer cakes coated in torched meringue, that she features on her popular Instagram account. Zoë joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about the twists and turns her life has taken and the sweet life is so satisfying.  Thank you to Kerrygold for supporting today’s show. Visit kerrygoldusa.com for product info, recipes, and a store near you. Radio Cherry Bombe is recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Our theme song is by the band Tra La La.Subs

Sajani Amarasiri was born to launch her own business. She was entrepreneurial as a child growing up in Sri Lanka, studied supply chain management in college, and pursued numerous side hustles as a young adult. While working at Microsoft, she had the idea to launch the first networking and co-working space in Sri Lanka. Called Colombo Cooperative, the concept was embraced by the emerging entrepreneur community in her native country. Around the same time, back in the U.S., Sajani couldn’t help but notice how Southeast Asian traditions and ingredients were influencing the wellness world, so she decided to launch her second bootstrapped brand, one that would pay homage to the Sri Lankan practices she and her family hold dear. That brand, Kola Goodies, earned Sajani the Cherry Bombe Women in Food Award as part of the Foxtrot Market 2022 Up & Comers competition. Her prize includes a monetary award, marketing support, and a spot on Foxtrot’s shelves. Sajani joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her journey, the