Radio Cherry Bombe

We don’t talk beauty advice very much on Radio Cherry Bombe, but we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to speak with Ayurvedic expert Shrankhla Holecek. She’s the founder and CEO of beauty startup Uma (and janitor, too, says the hands-on exec). Shrankhla is also part of a family that’s been farming and crafting the world’s finest organic oils for almost 800 years. She believes that a beauty practice goes way beyond products; for her, it’s the food she eats, and her daily practices, which include yoga, tongue scraping, dry brushing, and oil pulling. Not familiar with those activities? Tune in and learn more about this fascinating woman who blends the modern and the traditional in all she does. Radio Cherry Bombe is powered by Simplecast

Melissa Hemsley and Anna Jones want you to eat happy. What does that mean? It’s cooking for yourself, not beating yourself up about what you eat, and indulging in seasonal produce. Melissa and Anna, two of the most beloved members of the British Bombesquad, join us to talk about everything from royal weddings to marriage proposals that never happened to their joyous new cookbooks. Melissa’s is called Eat Happy and focuses on healthy food you can make in 30 minutes or less, and Anna’s is The Modern Cook’s Year, a collection of more than 250 vegetarian recipes. Be sure to check them out, get cooking, and don’t miss our chat (which we’re bringing to you unedited!). In the second half of our show, we talk to Jennifer Boggis and Ruby Grant of New Zealand’s Heilala Vanilla, the world's most awarded vanilla brand. Heilala (pronounced Hey, Lala!) is a mission-based brand founded to help farmers in the Kingdom of Tonga after a cyclone ravaged the chain of islands. Heilala is producing beautiful products loved by top c

Everybody who meets Jessie Sheehan wants to be her friend. She’s a brilliant Brooklyn-based baker, mom, and runner who makes some of the best treats you’ve ever tasted. (Have you tried her chocolate rugelach? Then you know what we’re talking about.) Jessie’s newest cookbook, The Vintage Baker, is out now and it’s a celebration of the vintage recipe pamphlets she has collected over the years. Jessie didn’t set out to be a baker. She ditched her career as a lawyer and talked her way into a job at Baked, the influential bakery in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and never looked back. Tune in to hear about her new book, her career pivot, and even her best exercise advice (hint–it involves coffee!). Thank you to today’s sponsors: Le Cordon Bleu, the legendary culinary school. Visit cordonbleu.edu. Vital Farms Pasture-Raised Eggs. To get your coupon, head to vitalfarms.com/cherrybombe Ancestry. Starting August 10th, you can get 40 percent off. Visit ancestry.com/cherry. Radio Cherry Bombe is powered by Simplecast

She started cooking at the age of 17 and now runs her own restaurant empire in one of the most competitive markets in the country. Traci Des Jardins joins us to talk about her illustrious career and how things are going at her–count them–seven spots in San Francisco: Jardiniere, Mijita Cocina Mexicana, Public House, The Commissary, Arguello, TRANSIT, and School Night. Traci has been cooking for decades, but she loves what’s new and next, and fills us in on her sweet collab with ice cream phenom Salt & Straw and the reason she’s serving the plant-based Impossible Burger at Jardiniere, which turned 20 last year. Traci also gives us her state of the industry as far as women are concerned and her thoughts on the #MeToo movement. One of her takeaways: Let’s give more attention to the people in this business doing the right thing. Thank you to Le Cordon Bleu and Bob’s Red Mill for supporting this episode of Radio Cherry Bombe! Radio Cherry Bombe is powered by Simplecast

Christine Barone and Daina Trout represent a new kind of CEO: one who cares about the bottom line as much as she does her customers’ well-being. Christine is the CEO of True Food Kitchen, a “conscious casual” restaurant chain featuring a menu of tasty, healthy fare based on Dr. Andrew Weil’s anti-inflammatory food pyramid. Oprah Winfrey recently invested in the fast-growing company, which today includes 23 restaurants in 10 states. Christine, a former Starbucks executive, joins us to talk about True Food Kitchen’s growth plans, her customer-centric approach, and why long to-do lists are counterproductive. Daina, meanwhile, is the ceo and co-founder of Health-Ade. She shares the story of her company and how it went from a boot-strapped beverage sold at a single farmers’ market to a nationally-distributed product with a devoted customer base. Daina explains why kombucha is so awesome and shares lessons learned from the early days when she and the co-founders quit their days jobs, maxed out their credit cards, a

They’re the daughters of immigrants and the daughters of chefs. So it’s no surprise that Maiko Kyogoku and Emily Yuen got into the restaurant business. These two women are the team behind Bessou, one of the most charming restaurants in New York City. Maiko, whose family had a Japanese restaurant on the Upper West Side for 30 years, is the owner, and Emily, who hails from Vancouver, is the executive chef. Maiko chose the name Bessou because it means home away from home, which describes the atmosphere she wanted to create by serving creative Japanese comfort food in a soothing, minimalist space. Maiko’s mother, who was a passionate home cook, is the guiding spirit of the restaurant, having taught Maiko about Japanese cuisine and customs. Maiko and Emily stop by Radio Cherry Bombe to talk about how they met, how they collaborate, and what the most popular items are at Bessou. Thank you to Le Cordon Bleu for supporting our show. Radio Cherry Bombe is powered by Simplecast

Jen Pelka wanted to open a Champagne bar in San Francisco, but first she needed to raise $650,000. So she came up with a unique investment strategy: organize an all-female investment group. Thirty-three women wound up taking part and The Riddler Champagne Bar opened its doors last year. Hear how Jen went about finding her investors and what advice she has if you’re looking to fund your next project or big idea. When Jen’s not sparkling things up at The Riddler, she’s taking care of business at Magnum PR, her full service communications and marketing company based in San Francisco. She previously worked at OpenTable, Tumblr, Gilt Taste, and Restaurant Daniel. Thank you to Le Cordon Bleu and Bob’s Red Mill for supporting Radio Cherry Bombe! Radio Cherry Bombe is powered by Simplecast

Laurel Gallucci wasn’t going to let an autoimmune disease hold her back when it came to baked goods. She was on a restrictive diet and decided to start experimenting with ingredients like almond flour, coconut oil, and maple syrup. She shared a chocolate cake creation with her friend Claire Thomas of the blog Kitchy Kitchen and the two decided to launch Sweet Laurel, a specialty bakery and blog. Today, they’re working on their first location and just launched their first cookbook, which features their most popular recipes, including one for The Chocolate Cake That Changed Everything. Tune in to hear their sweet story. Thank you to Le Cordon Bleu for sponsoring today’s show. Radio Cherry Bombe is powered by Simplecast

So many of us are still grappling with the loss of Anthony Bourdain, writer, TV star, and globetrotter. He touched so many lives as he showcased the world and its humanity through the lens of food. Helen Rosner, contributing writer at The New Yorker, shares her experience interviewing him over the years and explains what inspired the title of her article, "Anthony Bourdain and the Power of Telling the Truth." Cha McCoy, wine professional and tourism consultant, tells us why she admired Bourdain and what we can learn from his approach to travel. And Chef Preeti Mistry of Navi Kitchen in Oakland recalls being on his show Parts Unknown and how his open-mindedness and curiosity will be missed. Joining us for the first half of the show is Vanessa Palazio, owner and culinary director of Chicha Cafetin and Cocktails, a new Nicaraguan restaurant in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Thank you to Le Cordon Bleu and Bob's Red Mill for supporting Radio Cherry Bombe. From Helen's New Yorker story: “Remember when you asked me

The most iconic voice in food radio, Lynne Rossetto Kasper hosted The Splendid Table for 21 years, bringing us conversations with everyone from Anthony Bourdain and Julia Child to listeners who would call in for advice about baking, Thanksgiving turkeys, farmers market ingredients, and more. Lynne shares her journey from Jersey girl to public radio personality, and explains how her best-selling cookbook about Northern Italy was the basis for her popular program. "When there's genius in the kitchen... it just sweeps me away," she said. Thank you to Le Cordon Bleu and Bob's Red Mill for sponsoring this episode of Radio Cherry Bombe. Radio Cherry Bombe is powered by Simplecast

Imagine having to stay on top of the entire New York City food scene? That's only part of Nikita Richardson's job as a staff writer at New York Magazine's Grub Street. Nikita also has to track the trends and issues shaping the food world as a whole. She's tackled such subjects as why there are so few black restaurant critics to empowering immigrant restaurant workers with English language classes. Host Kerry Diamond talks to Nikita about these issues and more, and finds out her favorite places to eat and drink in NYC. Radio Cherry Bombe is powered by Simplecast

Edna Lewis changed the perception of Southern food and remains one of the most influential American chefs ever. A new book, Edna Lewis: At The Table With An American Original, celebrates her life and contributions through essays written by important figures on the Southern food scene, including Chefs Mashama Bailey and Vivian Howard. Three friends of Cherry Bombe gathered at the recent Charleston Wine & Food Festival to discuss Edna Lewis and her impact: Edna Lewis editor Sara B. Franklin; author Klancy Miller; and author and professor Jessica B. Harris. Tune in and find out why this American icon is more relevant than ever. Radio Cherry Bombe is powered by Simplecast

Chef Stephanie Izard has been a Top Chef, an Iron Chef, and a Food & Wine Best New Chef. She runs three of Chicago’s hottest restaurants: Girl & the Goat, Little Goat Diner, and Duck Duck Goat in Chicago. She’s a mom, wife, dog owner, and sunny human being. And now she’s author of Gather & Graze, a new cookbook filled with craveworthy recipes, from Pork Belly Frittata to Miso-Butterscotch Budino to Sweet Corn Frozen Nougat. She stopped by to talk about her book and the ingredients she swears by (fish sauce, soy sauce, blue cheese…), and explains her fondness for kids of the goat and human variety. Also joining us is Gabi Vigoreaux, baker and culinary director of Smith Canteen, the coffee shop in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. She talks about life at the Good Housekeeping test kitchen, Cuban bakeries in Miami, and turning the royal wedding cake flavors into a donut. Thank you to Le Cordon Bleu and Bob’s Red Mill for sponsoring today’s show. Radio Cherry Bombe is powered by Simplecast

Gelato, risotto, pistachio butter, anchovies, Prosecco… ? Welcome to the life (and grocery list) of Skye McAlpine, who has called Venice home since the age of 6. She joins us to talk about Venetian cuisine, her love for this magical city, and her first cookbook, A Table in Venice, which is out now. Skye shares her typical food day and walks us through the delicious customs of her city, from gelato time to the tradition of getting a late afternoon spritz with your friends. Our second guest is Cha McCoy, wine expert, globetrotter, and creator of Cha Squared Hospitality, a lifestyle company with a focus on tourism and gastronomy. Cha, who hails from Harlem, had an Eat Pray Love moment and got her MBA in Italy, which led to her collecting drinking and eating experiences in close to 20 countries. Today, she runs a number of wine education and appreciation programs, including The Communion and Sunday School Series, and joins us to talk about her passions. Thank you to Emmi cheeses from Switzerland and Le Cordon Ble

One of the most acclaimed chefs on the planet, Ruth Rogers has spent 30 years at the helm of The River Cafe London, the restaurant she and Rose Gray opened in 1987. Chef Ruth talks to us about her passion for Italian food, her famous chocolate cake, her perseverance, and her approach to running a humane restaurant. We also talk about Rose, Ruth’s friend and business partner, who passed away in 2010 and left a strong mark on both the restaurant and Ruth’s life. Ruth’s new cookbook, River Cafe London, is a celebration of its 30 years, its amazing Italian food, and the strong women who made it such an epic place. Thank you to Emmi cheeses from Switzerland, Le Cordon Bleu, and Bob’s Red Mill for supporting today’s show. Radio Cherry Bombe is powered by Simplecast

Chef Elizabeth Falkner was once described as a “high-wire artist,” and it’s no surprise. Throughout her career—and her life—she’s never been afraid of taking risks and trying new things. But she’s also been wise enough to know when she needs a break. Chef Falkner stopped by the studio to talk to us about her career, her early restaurant days, grilled cheese (hey, it was National Grilled Cheese Day), and more. Allison Lacey, the Marketing Brand Manager of Emmi cheeses from Switzerland, also came by to talk cheese and brought a beautiful selection of Emmi’s best. (Thanks, Allison!) Things got cheesy in a good way. We also talked to Allison about her career, and how she followed her dream of securing a job in the food world. Thank you to Emmi Cheese and Le Cordon Bleu for supporting our show! Radio Cherry Bombe is powered by Simplecast

We always feel good when we talk to Melissa Clark, the cookbook author, New York Times writer, and home cook champion. Melissa chats with us about California chefs, her love for the Instant Pot, and her new Times column about unsung chefs around the country. (She wants you to DM her with some chef suggestions. Ping her @clarkbar.) Our second guest is Kerrilynn Pamer, co-founder of CAP Beauty, the wellness brand and boutique. Her new cookbook, High Vibrational Beauty: Recipes and Rituals for Radical Self Care, is out right now and features a very modern approach to cooking, eating, and stocking your pantry. We talk coconut butter, adaptogens, and her journey to wellness. Thank you to Emmi Cheese, Bob’s Red Mill, and Le Cordon Bleu for supporting our show! Radio Cherry Bombe is powered by Simplecast

Libby Willis (@libbylark) is the chef and co-owner of the hottest restaurant in New York City, MeMe’s Diner (@memesdiner). In an interview with Jarry magazine, Libby and her business partner Bill Clark described MeMe’s as a “very, very gay restaurant,” and with that one quote, MeMe’s Diner became not just a foodie hot spot, but part of the queer culinary moment that’s sweeping the industry, one that’s being shaped by the likes of JaynesBeard, Queer Soup Night, Chefs Ora Wise, Preeti Mistry, Angela Dimayuga, and others. The attention from Eater, Bon Appetit, and The New Yorker is getting people in the door, but they’re staying for Libby’s unique spin on comfort food, Bill’s baked goods, and the duo’s modern, thoughtful hospitality. Libby talks to host Kerry Diamond (@kerrybombe) about being part of a phenomenon, her kitchen bona fides, and how MeMe’s came to be. Our second guest is Lauren Goldstein (lauren_goldstein), Northwestern University grad and creator of the Sugar and Spice Summit, the only conference d

Natasha Pickowicz represents the new breed of pastry chef--they’re busy, curious, creative, and political. Natasha oversees the teams at not one, but two acclaimed restaurants in Manhattan: Flora Bar at the Met Breuer museum and Café Altro Paradiso, where she turns out beautiful desserts and baked goods, from her grey salt sticky buns to her bombolini alla crema. She contributes her work to cool happenings around town, like the Wifey cafe-gallery pop-up in Brooklyn last fall, and she helps organize important food moments, like last year’s all-star bake sale that benefited Planned Parenthood. The sale is back this year and will take place Sunday, April 8th, at Café Altro Paradiso, and features yet another amazing roster of talent, including Erin McKenna’s Bakery, King, La Newyorkina, Mah Ze Dahr, Poppy’s, Ovenly, Otway, and The Smile. If you’re going to the sale, go early. Tune in to this episode to hear how Natasha went from English Lit major to one of pastry’s brightest talents, what her pastry resolutions w

Everyone is obsessed with Charleston pastry pro Cynthia Wong. (Okay, maybe everyone is just us.) But everyone should be obsessed! Cynthia, the executive pastry chef at Butcher & Bee, is crazy talented when it comes to sweet stuff and baked goods and she’s made a name for herself on the smokin’ hot Charleston food scene with her crave-worthy creations. Cynthia talks about great dairy, seafoam candy, bakewell tarts, and more. Joining host Kerry Diamond are our friends from Effinbradio: Lindsay Collins, Nikki Fairman, and Philip Michael Cohen. The interview with Cynthia was recorded at their new studio/bar/hangout in Charleston. (Go visit!) And speaking of nerdy, tap into your inner cheese nerd for the second half of our show. Mark Goldman, the founder of Formaticum cheese papers, explains how to properly store and care for cheese. Cheese is a living thing! You can’t just shove it in a plastic container and Mark explains why. Thank you to the maker of delicious cheeses from Switzerland, for supporting Radio