Radio Cherry Bombe

“When I see these perfect pantries, I’m like… ‘This isn’t how real people live,’” laughs Deb Perelman. “This is a real-life overstuffed kitchen.” Deb is the cook, writer, and photographer behind the much-loved Smitten Kitchen blog and the two companion cookbooks. Tune in to hear what this down-to-earth personality is up to and why she’s loving things cooked low and slow right now, from sweet potatoes to broccoli, why she’s not baking sourdough bread, and why you can never go wrong with Rice Krispie Treats (especially when they’re made with browned butter). Plus, Chicago-based vegan chef Sam Spoll tells us why she thinks Tanya Lozano, founder of Healthy Hood Chicago, is the Bombe! Thank you to our sponsors for supporting today’s episode: The wines of Rioja and, our newest sponsor, Red Clay Hot Sauce. You folks are the Bombe!

“If you don’t see representation of someone who looks like you, it’s difficult to see yourself in that position,” said Emma Walker, the master blender responsible for Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker and a panelist at the Craftswomen event hosted by the spirits powerhouse Diageo earlier this year to celebrate the makers behind some of the world’s best spirits. We’re bringing you the panel, recorded live at the High Line Hotel in NYC earlier this year, as a special episode of Radio Cherry Bombe. The other spirits superstars you’ll hear from: Eboni Major, a whiskey blender and food scientist at Bulleit Frontier Whiskey; United States Bartenders Guild 2019 Bartender of the year Katie Renshaw; and Lynnette Marrero, co-founder of the Speed Rack bartending competition and a MasterClass instructor. Don’t miss this conversation about community, collaboration, and visibility. Thank you to Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker for supporting our show. And find out why Bombesquad member Meaghan Dorman, bar director for Dear Irvi

Meet Amanda Nguyen, the owner and baker behind Butter&, the San Francisco bakery that’s become famous for its Quarantine Cakes. Amanda came up with the idea for these mini cakes decorated with a PSA out of necessity. Her custom cake business relied on weddings, birthdays, and other celebrations, and all of her orders were canceled almost overnight due to the COVID-19 crisis. Tune in to hear how Amanda went from Facebook data analyst to bakery owner and why ethical employment has been such a big issue for her, even pre-coronavirus.Thank you to the Wines of Rioja for supporting Radio Cherry Bombe.And listen to the end to discover why Emily Carter of Imperfect Foods in San Francisco thinks Dana Gunders of ReFED is the Bombe. Photo by Andriya Rances

Karen Akunowicz, the chef/owner of Fox & the Knife in Boston and a James Beard award winner, has been dealing with a lot of highs and lows as of late. She’s a contestant on the current season of Top Chef All-Stars, but at the same time, was forced to furlough most of her restaurant team due to the current crisis. Karen quickly pivoted to takeout and delivery and has focused her offerings on homemade pasta and sauces, pantry items, “Spritz Kits,” and the most craveworthy hits from the Fox & the Knife menu. “I just thought that if I didn’t try, that I might look back and say, ‘Did I try my very hardest to keep us afloat, to keep going, to keep serving our community, to take care of our team?’” Be sure to tune in.Thank you to the Wines of Rioja for supporting this episode. Plus, Johanna Albertsson of Krupa Consulting tells us why she thinks photographer Andrea Czarnota is the Bombe. 

When you support restaurants with takeout or pickup, are you putting restaurant workers at risk? Tejal Rao, the California restaurant critic for The New York Times, asked this question in a recent column and it struck a chord with many of her readers. Tejal calls in from Los Angeles to talk about this issue, as well as what it means to be a restaurant critic during a global pandemic.Thank you to Ecole Ducasse and the Wines of Rioja for supporting our show. Find out why recipe developer Alexis deBoschnek in Los Angeles thinks Chowhound executive editor Hana Asbrink in New York City is the Bombe.

It’s a double dose of Ruth Reichl! We dipped into the Cherry Bombe Jubilee archive to bring you two great moments with the legendary editor and author. First up, Ruth reads from her most recent book, Save Me The Plums, a memoir of her time at the helm of Gourmet Magazine. In the second half of the show, Ruth talks to Chef Ruth Rogers of the iconic River Cafe in London, as well as head chef Sian Owen, from one of Jubilee’s keynote conversations. Plus, find out why Kristin Nelson of the Ardent Homesteader in Arden, New York, thinks Karen Washington from Rise & Root Farm is the Bombe!Thank you to Ecole Ducasse culinary school and the wines of Rioja for supporting our show.

On today’s show, we’re celebrating some of our friends in the chef community and airing a panel from our Jubilee Seattle conference with Chef Rachel Yang, Chef Renee Erickson, and Chef Makani Howell. These pillars in the restaurant community talk about leadership and navigating an ever-changing city. Chef Angie Mar of The Beatrice Inn in New York City and author of the new cookbook Butcher + Beast (and who happens to be a Seattle native!), moderated the panel, and Lara Hamilton, owner of the community cookbook store Book Larder, introduces everyone. Thank you to the Wines of Rioja for supporting today’s show. And thank you to our newest sponsor, Ecole Ducasse.

It’s the best of our baker talks. Since many of you are home right now and doing a lot of baking, we thought it would be nice to dip into our Food for Thought tour archives and bring you some of our favorite bakers from around the country. Get ready to hear from these amazing folks about their love of all things sugar, flour, and butter. At our Atlanta, Georgia, stop caker Amanda Faber shares her thoughts on the future of baking and the importance of the baking community. In Dallas, Texas, Sam Cade of the custom Cade’s Cakes talks about being a cake artist and her big move to New York City. In Houston, Texas, we hear from Rebecca Masson AKA The Sugar Fairy, owner of Fluff Bake Bar. Then in New Orleans, we hear from Joy the Baker about what being a baker means to her.Thank you to Kerrygold for supporting the Food for Thought tour and this mini-series.

Two of our favorite cookbook authors, Alison Roman of Dining In and Nothing Fancy, and Aran Goyoaga of Cannelle et Vanille: Nourishing, Gluten-Free Recipes for Every Meal and Mood, sat down to chat for the final keynote conversation at the Cherry Bombe Jubilee Conference in Seattle this past November. Alison and Aran talk about the freelance hustle, California vibes, the cookbook creation process, and their least favorite word. (Spoiler alert: it’s “influencer.”). Don’t miss an engaging exchange between these two special members of the Bombesquad. Plus, Radio Cherry Bombe Producer Jess Zeidman tells us why she thinks the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation is the bombe! (If you’re a restaurant worker in need, check out the RWCF COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund.)Thank you to the Wines of Rioja for supporting this episode. To learn more about their wide selection of wines visit riojawines.com/us.

Claire Saffitz fans, you’re in for a treat. We’re excited to bring you one of the most in-depth interviews that the Bon Appétit Test Kitchen star has ever done. Host Kerry Diamond sat down with Claire at the Bon Appétit offices in New York City to talk about her wildly popular videos, her upcoming cookbook, and life with her test kitchen colleagues. Claire also answers questions from the Bombesquad about her biggest inspirations, videos on her wish list, and what baking rules you can break. Thank you to Kerrygold, the makers of beautiful butter and cheese, from Ireland for supporting Radio Cherry Bombe.

“For me, being the most famous or richest designer in the world was never my priority,” said Norma Kamali. “I wanted my creative life.” During New York Fashion Week, this trailblazing fashion designer sat down with host Kerry Diamond in front of a live audience at Spring Studios in Tribeca. A fashion designer since 1969, Norma’s entrepreneurial spirit has kept her in business and at the cutting edge all this time. She also has been a wellness proponent for decades and shares her self-care tips and workout routines on social media. Norma is a beacon for everyone interested in professional and personal longevity.Thank you to the Wines of Rioja for supporting Radio Cherry Bombe. For more, visit riojawine.com/US.Plus, find out why Maritza Abreu of Pisqueya in Brooklyn, NY thinks she is the bombe! The conversation with Norma Kamali was part of a New York Fashion Week Series presented by IMG and sponsored by The Glenlivet.Don’t miss Radio Cherry Bombe Live on Instagram Stories. Illustration by Antonia Figueiredo.

Radio Cherry Bombe went on tour to find out what’s on the mind of food folk across the country, Once we finished our tour, we realized that three of our talks centered around one very iconic person in the food world: Julia Child. We know Julia’s pioneering spirit, culinary talent, and sheer joy in the kitchen inspires everyone in the Bombesquad and we wanted to share these stories with you.At our San Diego stop, Diane Rocha, a retired school teacher and enthusiastic amateur baker in California shares her very special connection to Julia.In Kansas City, Missouri, Christina Corvino, the co-owner and general manager of Corvino restaurant, tells us how Julia has encouraged her through the ups and downs of her professional journey.In Baltimore, Maryland, Jessica Grosman of With Health & Gratitude tells us about her special moment with Julia Child.Thank you to Kerrygold for supporting the Food for Thought tour and this mini-series.

From working as the first food editor at Martha Stewart Living to styling the food on Julie & Julia and It’s Complicated to writing cookbooks, Susan Spungen always has a lot on her plate. Her biggest project of late? She’s released her new cookbook Open Kitchen: Inspired Recipes for Casual Gatherings. Susan sat down with host Kerry Diamond to talk about her journey in the food world, the freelance life, and her beloved banana bread recipe. Plus, Jodi Liano, the founder of San Francisco Cooking School, tells us why she thinks SFCS Pastry Director Nicole Plue is the Bombe! Thank you to the Wines of Rioja for supporting this episode. 

It’s Radio Cherry Bombe on the road! We brought the “Food for Thought” tour to Portland, Maine, for a live recording at the Press Hotel. First up, we hear from Jacqueline Dole founder of Parlor Ice Cream Co. about what it means to live one’s dream and Briana Warner of Atlantic Sea Farms tells us how she became a seaweed farmer.In the second half of the show, we hear from Chef Erin French of The Lost Kitchen, Pastry Chef Briana Holt of Tandem Coffee, Chef Cara Stadler of Tao Yuan and BaoBao Dumpling House, Chef Rebecca Charles of Pearl Kennebunk Beach, Spat Oyster Cellar, and Pearl Oyster Bar, and Radio Cherry Bombe Host Kerry Diamond.Thank you to Kerrygold for supporting our tour. Be sure to try their beautiful cheese and butter! 

If snagging a hot restaurant reservation is your favorite competitive sport, you need to know Victoria Vaynberg. As the chief marketing officer of Resy, Victoria is helping expand what the reservations platform is all about. She and host Kerry Diamond talk about Resy’s Women of Food dinner series, marketing advice for small businesses, and her life with one-year-old twin daughters. Fun fact: Victoria is a member of a podcast club. Think book club, but with podcasts. Plus, find out why Nat Paull of Beatrix Bakes in Melbourne, Australia, thinks pastry chef and Last Course author Claudia Fleming is the bombe! Thank you to Rioja Wines, our new sponsor, for supporting this episode of Radio Cherry Bombe! Rioja is the premier winemaking region in Spain that’s home to more than 600 wineries. To learn more visit riojawine.com/us.

Radio Cherry Bombe stopped in Baltimore, Maryland, as part of its Food For Thought tour for a live episode at Bar Vasquez.Jessica Grosman of With Health & Gratitude, Chef Catina Smith of Just Call Me Chef, and Chef Cindy Wolf of the Foreman Wolf restaurant group spoke about what’s on their mind when it comes to the food world.They are followed by a panel featuring Jasmine Norton of Urban Oyster, Chef Donna Crivello of Cosima restaurant, Chef Amanda Mack of Crust By Mack Bakery, and Radio Cherry Bombe host Kerry Diamond.   Thank you to Kerrygold and Visit Baltimore for supporting our Baltimore episode.

We’re airing three very special moments from our first-ever Jubilee Seattle. First, we’ll hear how pastry chef Crystal Chiu went from working for Speaker Nancy Pelosi to making beautiful desserts at Seattle hot-spot Canlis. Then, we will hear about Chef Emme Ribeiro Collins amazing journey with a special introduction from Cherry Bombe cover girl Sophia Roe. Last, an insightful conversation between Radio Cherry Bombe host Kerry Diamond and biohacker Van Nguyen sheds light on keto diets, intermittent fasting, and other data-driven wellness practices. Plus, Cherry Bombe member and baker Tiff Bryant tells us why they think Moonlynn Tsai of Kopitiam in New York City is the bombe!

Radio Cherry Bombe stopped in Houston, Texas last year as part of its Food For Thought tour for a live episode at Nancy’s Hustle.Zay Gamez and Cat Janda of Finca Tres Robles, Rebecca Masson of Fluff Bake Bar, and Anita Jaisinghani of Pondicheri restaurant spoke about what’s on their mind when it comes to the food world.They are followed by a panel featuring pastry chef Julia Doran of Nancy’s Hustle, coffee expert Ecky Prabanto of Greenway Coffee Company, bartender Alba Huerta of Julep, and Radio Cherry Bombe host Kerry Diamond.   Thank you to Kerrygold for supporting our tour.

The James Beard Awards have been called the Oscars of the food world, and most chefs and restaurateurs hope to snag one in their lifetime. But who is James Beard? And who is behind the awards? James Beard Foundation CEO Clare Reichenbach sat down with host Kerry Diamond to learn more about the awards process, the namesake gourmet behind the operation, and what Clare and her team are doing to make the Foundation a more vibrant, modern organization. Clare also gets personal about her life as a single mom and the decisions she faced about starting a family on her own. To learn more about James Beard Foundation initiatives and events, visit https://www.jamesbeard.org/awards/ticketsPlus, find out why co-owner and operator Kiki Aranita of Poi Dog in Philadelphia thinks Jiyun Jennifer Yoo of Gotham Grove in NYC is the bombe! 

The Radio Cherry Bombe Food For Thought tour stopped in Asheville, North Carolina, for a live episode during the city’s inaugural Chow Chow food festival. Chef Ashleigh Shanti of Benne on Eagle, chocolatier Jael Rattigan of French Broad Chocolate, and Dr. Cynthia Greenlee spoke about what’s on their mind when it comes to the food world.They are followed by a panel featuring Chef Katie Button of Katie Button Restaurants in Asheville, Chef Vivian Howard of the award-winning TV program A Chef’s Life, Chef Cheetie Kumar of Garland in Raleigh, and Radio Cherry Bombe host Kerry Diamond.    Thank you to Kerrygold, the makers of beautiful butter and cheese, for supporting our tour.