Radio Cherry Bombe

Grab your passports and get ready for Chef Deborah VanTrece’s very unique take on Southern cuisine. The owner and creative director of Atlanta’s Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours and author of 'The Twisted Soul Cookbook: Modern Soul Food with Global Flavors,' Deborah has created a cuisine that’s all her own—one that’s reflective of her life, loves, appetites, and adventures. She joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her debut cookbook, life during the pandemic, and the secret behind her praline mac & cheese. Thank you to Talea Beer Co. of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, for supporting today’s show.

Author Yasmin Khan has carved out a very specific space for herself in the world of cookbooks and produced a body of work that goes well beyond the sharing of recipes. Thanks to her intrepid nature and in-person reporting, Yasmin’s books are culinary and cultural postcards from parts of the world shaped by history, politics, and strife—but lots of humanity. Her latest book is 'Ripe Figs: Recipes and Stories from Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus' and it’s a heartfelt follow-up to her first two books, 'The Saffron Tales' and 'Zaitoun.' Yasmin joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about 'Ripe Figs,' the recipes she loves from the book, and the work that went into producing it. Yasmin also discusses the recent Vogue.com article she wrote about miscarriage, and her experience with miscarriage while working on her book.

Some might know Anne Willan as the doyenne of La Varenne, the influential culinary school she ran in Paris and Burgundy, but she’s also the author of more than 30 cookbooks, including her latest, 'Women in the Kitchen,' '12 Essential Cookbook Writers who Defined the Way We Eat, from 1661 to Today.' Anne joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about everything from the early days of La Varenne to her friend Julia Child and the antiquarian cookbook collection that Anne and her husband, the late Mark Cherniavsky, donated to the Getty Research Institute in Los Angeles. Anne reflects on her life as an author, historian, and teacher and you don’t want to miss it. Today’s show is supported by the sponsors of The Julia Jubilee: Kerrygold, Crate&Barrel, Whole Foods Market, Le Creuset, San Pellegrino, and Kobrand Fine Wine & Spirits.

Stephanie Hersh dreamed of a job in the culinary world, but she never imagined she would have a front-row seat to the life of the biggest culinary icon around, Julia Child. Stephanie became Julia’s executive assistant in the most unlikely of ways, when a chance phone call came into the secretarial school she was attending after time at the Culinary Institute of America. The only catch? Julia wanted an office assistant, not a starry-eyed culinary school grad. Stephanie talked her way into the job and wound up becoming Julia’s right hand for almost 16 years. Today, Stephanie is a chef instructor with Oceania Cruises and is based in New Zealand. She joins host Kerry Diamond to share some of her memories, her thoughts on the film 'Julie & Julia,' and what Julia was like as a boss. Thank you to Chronicle Books, publisher of the upcoming 'Tables & Spreads,' for supporting this episode.

Thank you to Crate&Barrel and Chronicle Books, publisher of Tables & Spreads by Shelly Westerhausen, for supporting this episode. 

Molly Baz did not grow up in a foodie family. As a teen, she realized “food could be delicious,” as she describes it. For Molly, learning how to cook became a passion that took her from her own supper club to the kitchens of several restaurants, and to a job at Bon Appétit. Now, teaching others how to cook is what drives her. She’s been sharing recipes with fans via Patreon and on April 20, her debut cookbook drops. Titled 'Cook This Book,' it’s a brightly designed collection of signature Molly recipes, from roast chicken to jammy eggs to Caesar salad. Learn how the cookbook came together, why Molly moved to L.A., and whether she’ll return to YouTube any time soon. Thank you to Crate & Barrel and Sitka Salmon Shares for supporting this episode!

Thank you to Sitka Salmon Shares for supporting Radio Cherry Bombe. Visit sitkasalmonshares.com/cherry for $25 off the first month of a Premium Sitka Seafood Share.

Who would have thought that a lousy turmeric latte would lead Sana Javeri Kadri to launch a game-changing spice company that’s causing the big players in the industry to sit up and take notice? The founder and CEO of Diaspora Co. is disrupting the spice industry one product at a time and fans can’t get enough of its sustainably-sourced saffron, nutmeg, peppercorns, chilies, cacao, and more. Learn how Sana started the brand with a small tax refund, and how she’s grown the privately-held Diaspora Co. over the past four years with no outside investment. Also, learn about her recent sourcing trip to India and beyond and what new products will be launching soon. Thank you to Sitka Salmon Shares for supporting this episode.

From her Top Chef debut in 2006 to today, Padma Lakshmi has never wavered on the things that matter to her: women’s issues, immigrants’ rights, and global food and flavors. That’s why her cookbook, Tangy, Tart, Hot & Sweet, reissued last week in paperback, feels as relevant today as it did in 2007. The book is a celebration of Padma’s love for all cuisines and the people behind them, shaped by her travels around the world. Padma talks with host Kerry Diamond about favorite recipes from the book, her Hulu series Taste The Nation and what it took to get the show made, and the upcoming season of Top Chef. Thank you to Crate & Barrel and Sitka Salmon Shares for supporting this episode.

An exciting new Netflix series debuts today, starring Michelle Obama and two special creatures from the land of frozen food, Waffles and her friend Mochi, who embark on adventures across the globe. The idea for the show has traveled its own 16-year journey from the brain of co-creator Erika Thormahlen to the screen, with lots of ups and downs in between. Learn about the inspiration behind Waffles + Mochi, how Michelle Obama got involved, and how Samin Nosrat of Salt Fat Acid Heat served as the show’s North Star. Erika’s story is all about perseverance, creativity, and dreaming big! Thank you to Cypress Grove Cheese for supporting Radio Cherry Bombe.

When Jesse Tyler Ferguson, the Modern Family star, and Julie Tanous, a recipe developer and culinary school grad get together, you’re in for good eats and a great time. The two met at a dinner party they both reluctantly attended and sparks flew. Their culinary chemistry was apparent when they got in the kitchen and fast forward, now they’re the best of pals and co-authors of the new cookbook, Food Between Friends. Tune in to hear about their favorite recipes, making a turkey with Martha Stewart, Jesse’s love for Hatch chiles, and Julie’s flair with frosting and pie crust. Thank you to Crate & Barrel for supporting this episode and our upcoming Julia Jubilee conference.

Valerie Wilson of VALINC PR is a brand-building pro who has advised countless chefs, companies, corporations, and what she likes to call “culture-shifting brands” on getting their messages to the public. She has also been a champion of the Harlem hospitality scene, working with the likes of Ruby’s Vintage, Melba’s, and Fieldtrip, and on major projects including Harlem Park to Park, Harlem EatUp!, Harlem Restaurant Week, and the brand new Renaissance Pavilion, supported by Uber Eats. Stay tuned to learn about Valerie’s inspiring journey and get some of her PR advice! And don’t miss Callie Flynn, dietetic intern and graduate student at the University of Vermont, share why she thinks Tove Ohlander of Tove by design and AO Glass is the Bombe. Today’s show is supported by A Table: Recipes for Cooking and Eating the French Way, out April 6th from Chronicle Books.

Why have famous folks including Maria Carey, Uber founder Travis Kalanick, and Flavortown Mayor Guy Fieri jumped on the ghost kitchen trend? Is this pandemic-era phenomenon here to stay? Joining us to talk about these virtual restaurants and what they’re all about is Florence Fabricant, the legendary food columnist from The New York Times. Florence also shares the best ways for publicists and entrepreneurs to pitch her and how she got her start in food media. Also, find out why Lia Ballentine of the Yum Day snack company thinks Kaitlin Mogentale of Pulp Pantry is the Bombe. Today’s show is supported by Mango and Peppercorns: A Memoir of Food, An Unlikely Family, and the American Dream by Tung Nguyen and Katherine Manning, out March 16th from Chronicle Books. 

Do you know the minimum wage in your state? Saru Jayaraman does. As co-founder and president of One Fair Wage and director of the Food Labor Research Center at UC Berkeley, Saru and her team are fighting in support of the Raise the Wage Act, which would increase the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour and get rid of the $2.13 minimum wage for tipped workers. Saru joins us to talk about the ongoing campaign. She also explains the connection between wages, food stamps and sexual harassment and why a higher minimum wage is better for everyone. Plus, find out why Callie Flynn thinks Tove Ohlander of Tove by Design is the Bombe. Thank you to Käserei Champignon, the makers of Cambozola cheese, for supporting this episode.

Jasmine Cho has one of the most unconventional jobs in the food world: She’s a cookie activist. What began as a way to spotlight overlooked trailblazers in the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities has expanded to include people of color making a difference in the world, from poet Amanda Gorman to organizer Stacey Abrams to first responders in Jasmine’s hometown of Pittsburgh. She painstakingly recreates their images in royal icing and shares her creations on everything from social media to exhibitions organized by the Smithsonian. Jasmine joins us to talk about her activism, her book, Role Models Who Look Like Me: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Who Made History, and how it feels to have the mayor name a day for her. Thank you to Cypress Grove, the makers of Humboldt Fog and Little Giant goat cheese, for supporting Radio Cherry Bombe.

When rent negotiations with her landlord were going south, Chef/owner Angie Mar knew it might be time to say goodbye to the historic New York City restaurant space that changed her life. So what did she do? She returned the keys, walked away, and rented the space right next door. Angie joins us to discuss her decision to close The Beatrice Inn, the challenges of 2020, the future of fine dining, and more. As Chef Angie’s fans know, she’s a bit of a glamour puss, so we also asked her a few questions about her fashion faves and her beauty routine. Tune in to learn more about this colorful and creative personality.Thank you to Catbird, the finest fine jewelry, for supporting this episode.

Eden Grinshpan is the author of Eating Out Loud: Bold Middle Eastern Flavors for All Day, Every Day, a spirited cookbook that captures her appetite for life and great food. The always lively Eden joins us to talk about her book, plus the journey that took from high school in Toronto to culinary school in London to hosting Top Chef Canada, with stops in India, Israel, and NYC along the way. Get ready to be inspired by Eden’s adventurous spirit, and get her take on tahini, homemade versus store-bought pita, shakshuka, and more.Thank you to Catbird for supporting today’s show. Catbird’s mission is to make beautiful, sparkling jewelry that will bring you joy now through forever. Visit catbirdnyc.com for more. At the end of the show, learn why Cherry Bombe intern Grace Reynoso thinks Shirley Raines of Beauty 2 the Streetz is the Bombe.

Mashama Bailey is the chef and co-owner of The Grey, one of the most important restaurants in America today. Located in Savannah, Georgia, in what was once a segregated Greyhound bus station, The Grey is the subject of a new book written by Mashama and her business partner, John Morisano. Titled Black, White, and The Grey: The Story of an Unexpected Friendship and a Beloved Restaurant, it is a unique memoir that came about after tough conversations concerning racism, life, and the real meaning of partnership. Mashama joins us to talk about her book, as well as a new virtual restaurant project with Intersect by Lexus, which brings Mashama’s signature dishes to New York City.Thank you to Catbird for supporting today’s show. Catbird’s mission is to make beautiful, sparkling jewelry that will bring you joy now through forever. Visit catbirdnyc.com for more. 

For our final podcast of 2020, we thought it would be nice to speak with the most positive entrepreneur we know, Emshika Alberini. Driven by her sense of adventure and curiosity, Emshika left her family in Bangkok and struck out on her own in the U.S., journeying from au pair to celebrated restaurateur. She’s faced heartbreak and unspeakable loss, yet she has never lost her belief in the power of love and kindness. Today, Emshika is the owner of Chang Thai Cafe in Littleton, New Hampshire, and the creative force behind the By Emshika beverage line. She was named to the Cherry Bombe 100 in 2018, and has won numerous accolades for her work on behalf of the New Hampshire business and restaurant community. Emshika joins us to talk about her family, her 2021 resolutions, and the power of positivity. Thank you to Kerrygold for supporting Radio Cherry Bombe.

If we had to pick a person of the year for Cherry Bombe, it would definitely be Paola Velez. She is the co-founder of Bakers against Racism, a global bake sale that raised almost $2 million this year for causes related to Black Lives Matter. It was a tremendous feat that galvanized the baking community around the world. For her day job, Paola is the executive pastry chef at Compass Rose, Maydan, and La Bodega Bakery in Washington, D.C. She is also the cover girl of the most recent issue of Cherry Bombe Magazine. Paola joined us earlier this summer when Bakers Against Racism had first launched and she was still working at Kith/Kin restaurant in D.C. She was candid about her journey through the industry and the challenges she has faced along the way. Tune in to hear how her passion, drive, and sense of self-worth have won out time and time again. Thank you to Kerrygold for supporting this episode. Stay tuned to hear why baker Abena Anim-Somuah (@baking_beanss) thinks Adrianna Adarme, the blogger behind A Cozy K