Radio Cherry Bombe

Today’s guest is Adé Carrena, chef and founder of Dounou Cuisine culinary project and the iLéWA Foods spice blend company. A native of Bénin, Adé was adopted at the age of 10 and grew up with a Puerto Rican family in Connecticut. Today, she calls Raleigh, North Carolina, home, and she’s been on a journey of reclamation ever since, raising her daughter, pivoting from banking to culinary, launching her businesses, and reconnecting with her birth mother. In 2023, she was named North Carolina Chef of the Year. Adé joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her childhood, becoming a mother, and life in Raleigh. They also discuss her most recent project, a documentary titled “Bite of Bénin,” that details her story. Adé calls herself “a bridge, a dreamer, a healer, a chef, a storyteller, and a nurturer.” At the core, it’s all about heart, she says. Click here for tickets for our Summer Tastemaker Tour. Subscribe to Cherry Bombe’s print magazine. More on Adé: Dounou Cuisine, iLéWA Foods, "Bite of Bénin" More on Kerry: In

It’s the final episode of our special Power Miniseries, and our guest is Mashama Bailey, chef and co-owner of The Grey in Savannah and the soon-to-open L’Arrêt in Paris. Mashama is a chef we’ve come to know and love at Cherry Bombe, and she’s one of the cover stars of our new Power issue. She has been the subject of a “Chef's Table” documentary on Netflix, has her own MasterClass on Southern cooking, and co-authored a memoir titled “Black, White, and The Grey: The Story of an Unexpected Friendship and a Beloved Restaurant.”Mashama joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about being a late bloomer in the chef world, the start of her mentorship era, her Paris plans, and why she would like to cook for Michelle Obama one day. Our Power miniseries is presented by Veuve Clicquot and coincides with the new Power Issue of Cherry Bombe’s print magazine, out now. We spotlighted more than 100 women in the worlds of food, drink, and hospitality, including Mashama, who are using their power in interesting, inspiring, and innovat

Today’s guest is Cheetie Kumar, self-taught chef, rock and roller, and restaurant industry champion. She and her husband Paul are the owners of Ajja, a restaurant in Raleigh, North Carolina, that celebrates the bold, beautiful flavors she loves. Ajja means “come over” in Hindi and Urdu, as Cheetie explains, and it’s the perfect word to describe their buzzy neighborhood spot. Cheetie is also vice president and a board member of the Independent Restaurant Coalition, which represents indie operators across the country. Cheetie and the IRC are fighting to keep restaurants around the country alive and thriving, a cause we can all get behind. Tune in to learn about her childhood in the Bronx, how life on the road with Cheetie’s band led to her becoming a chef, and what she means by the stupidity of ambition. Thank you to Vivienne Culinary Books for supporting our show.Click here for tickets for our Summer Tastemaker Tour. Subscribe to Cherry Bombe’s print magazine. More on Cheetie: Instagram, Ajja restaurant, Indep

Our guest on the third episode of our special Power Miniseries is Victoria James—sommelier, author, advocate, and mother of two. She joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her memoir, “Wine Girl,” her fight against sexual harassment at the highest levels of the sommelier community, and her role as Executive Director of Beverage & Partnerships at Gracious Hospitality, which includes the COQODAQ and the COTE Korean Steakhouses.Victoria and Kerry also discuss her Trailblazer Award, presented to her by Cherry Bombe and Veuve Clicquot at the recent Power Awards, her support of pregnant women and nursing moms working in restaurants, beverage, and hospitality, and the organization she co-founded to provide free industry education, Wine Empowered. Our Power miniseries is presented by Veuve Clicquot and coincides with the new Power Issue of Cherry Bombe’s print magazine, out now. We spotlighted more than 100 women in the worlds of food, drink, and hospitality, including Victoria, who are using their power in inter

Today’s guest is chef, writer, and Emmy-nominated host Sophia Roe. The culinary creative has lots of pots on the stove, so to speak, including a YouTube channel, a new outpost of her Apartment Miso studio, and her biggest project to date: motherhood. Sophia and host Kerry Diamond talk about Sophia’s early years in culinary school, working as a private chef, meeting her fiancé Chris, thoughts on being a working mom, and the surprising phase she finds herself in. “I am happier than I probably have been in my life, and I definitely didn’t think that would happen,” she says. They also chat about the new Power Issue of Cherry Bombe Magazine with Sophia on the cover. Click here for tickets for our Summer Tastemaker Tour. Subscribe to Cherry Bombe’s print magazine. More on Sophia: Instagram, Apartment Miso, websiteMore on Kerry: InstagramPast episodes and transcripts

Welcome to the second episode of our special Power Miniseries. Our guest is Katina Connaughton of SingleThread, the celebrated restaurant and farm in Healdsburg, California, that she and her husband, Chef Kyle Connaughton, co-founded in 2016. Today, Katina is the head farmer of the 24-acre property that supplies the SingleThread restaurant, farm store, and CSA program. As Katina shares with host Kerry Diamond, she never set out to become a farmer. But she found her power, and her calling, by literally digging in the dirt. “The further I stuck my hands in the earth,” she said, “the more I felt like myself.” Katina talks about the incredible journey that she and Kyle have been on, from meeting at a punk rock concert in high school, to becoming parents, living abroad, and rethinking the fine-dining experience back in California. Katina also talks about ThroughLine, the special food and film experience that celebrates the artisans, farmers, and producers she and Kyle have partnered with over the years. Our Power

Host Kerry Diamond heads to County Cork, Ireland, for a special episode of Radio Cherry Bombe, recorded live at the Ballymaloe Festival of Food, presented by Kerrygold. Join Kerry as she chats with four inspiring figures helping to shape Ireland’s vibrant culinary future: award-winning dairy farmers Dara & Beatrix Killeen; female farmer advocate Vanessa Kiely O’Connor, a.k.a. The Dairy Fairy; and legendary food icon Darina Allen, founder of the Ballymaloe Cookery School and the new Ballymaloe Organic Farm School. From regenerative agriculture to tech-forward farming, these changemakers are redefining what it means to farm with purpose in Ireland today.Thank you to Kerrygold for supporting Radio Cherry Bombe.Click here for tickets for our Summer Tastemaker tour. Subscribe to Cherry Bombe’s print magazine. More on Dara & Beatrix: Dara on Instagram, Beatrix on InstagramMore on Vanessa: Instagram, Women in Agriculture Stakeholder GroupMore on Darina: Instagram, Ballymaloe Cookery School, Ballymaloe Organi

We’re kicking off Radio Cherry Bombe’s Power Miniseries with Kristen Kish, the host of “Top Chef,” chef/partner of Arlo Grey at The Line hotel in Austin, and author of the bestselling memoir “Accidentally On Purpose.” As Kristen explains it, she’s all about soft power—and using it to support her community, her loved ones, and herself. Kristen joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her rise from Midwestern kid to culinary superstar. They discuss how Kristen found her true calling at culinary school, what Julia Roberts' movie “Notting Hill” had to do with her eventual coming out, and what she learned writing her memoir. Our Power miniseries is presented by Veuve Clicquot. Thank you to S.Pellegrino for additional support. Don’t miss the new Power Issue of Cherry Bombe Magazine, spotlighting Kristen and 100 other women making the culinary world a more interesting, inspiring, and innovative place. Subscribe to our magazine here. More on Kristen: Instagram, Arlo Grey restaurant, “Accidentally on Purpose” memoirMore

Condiment Claire, aka Claire Dinhut, is the social media star and Substack author known for her deep love of sauces, dips, and spreads. She joins guest host and Cherry Bombe alum Lauren Goldstein to talk about her unique career, how her upbringing shaped her views on food, and how she started on TikTok out of spite, only to find a devoted audience for her content on the platform. They also talk about Claire’s debut book, “The Condiment Book: Unlocking Maximum Flavor with Minimum Effort,” and the condiments that bring Claire the most joy, from clear soy sauce to Welsh sea salt to good old-fashioned jam. Thank you to Violet Flame Chocolate for supporting Radio Cherry Bombe.Click here for tickets for an evening with Kerry Diamond and Diana Yen of “Firepit Feast” on June 5th!Subscribe to Cherry Bombe’s print magazine. More on Claire: Instagram, “The Condiment Book,” SubstackMore on Lauren: Instagram, website, SubstackPast episodes and transcripts

Today’s guest is Asma Khan, the celebrated chef and restaurateur behind Darjeeling Express in London, and a fierce champion for women everywhere. She joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her latest cookbook, “Monsoon: Delicious Indian Recipes for Every Day and Season,” a tribute to Indian home cooking and the beauty of seasonal flavors, and her new cooking series on Discovery+, “Secrets of the Curry Kitchen.” They also discuss overcoming adversity, the ways women are held back, and the importance of family recipes. Thank you to Struesli for supporting Radio Cherry Bombe.Subscribe to Cherry Bombe’s print magazine. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. More on Asma: Instagram, Darjeeling Express, "Monsoon" cookbookMore on Kerry: Instagram

Today, we welcome wellness journalist Liz Moody back to the show. Host of The Liz Moody Podcast and author of “100 Ways to Change Your Life: The Science of Leveling Up Health, Happiness, Relationships & Success,” Liz is known for distilling physical and mental health advice into practical steps that actually stick. Liz joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her early writing career, some of the more unexpected adventures from her past, and the key lessons she’s learned along the way. They also dive into her best wellness tips, the need for positive aging role models, and why community might just be the most underrated health tool out there. Thank you to Ladurée for supporting Radio Cherry Bombe.Subscribe to Cherry Bombe’s print magazine. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. More on Liz: Instagram, website, Substack, “100 Ways To Change Your Life” book More on Kerry: Instagram

For today’s show, special guest host Chrissy Tracey—chef, forager, and author of “Forage & Feast”—fills in for host Kerry Diamond for a vibrant conversation with cookbook authors Mehreen “Reenie” Karim and Srishti Jain. Reenie, known from “Next Level Chef” and Bon Appétit, is now executive editor of the new “Make It Plant-Based” cookbook series and the author of “Make It Plant-Based! Southern.” She’s joined by Srishti, a NYC-based supper club host and the author of “Make It Plant-Based! Indian.”Reenie and Srishti join Chrissy Tracey to dive into what it takes to build a cookbook from the ground up, celebrate the versatility of plant-based cuisine, and share stories from the heart of today’s food media landscape.Thank you to Gustiamo for supporting Radio Cherry Bombe.Subscribe to Cherry Bombe’s print magazine. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. More on Chrissy: Instagram, “Forage & Feast” cookbookMore on Reenie: Instagram, website, "Make It Plant-Based! Southern" cookbookMore

Today’s guest is viral culinary storyteller Sarah Ahn—creator of Ahnest Kitchen and co-author of the New York Times bestselling cookbook “Umma: A Korean Mom's Kitchen Wisdom and 100 Family Recipes” with her mother, Nam Soon Ahn. Sarah joins host Kerry Diamond to share the inspiration behind her intimate food writing, the bond she forged with her mother through cooking, and the journey from grief to gratitude that shaped her debut book. They also talk about her role at America's Test Kitchen, how she navigates vulnerability online, and why food remains one of the most powerful ways to keep memories alive. Thank you to Cartolina for supporting Radio Cherry Bombe.Subscribe to Cherry Bombe’s print magazine. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. More on Sarah: Instagram, Ahnest Kitchen, “Umma” cookbookMore on Kerry: Instagram

Today’s guests are Marjorie Taylor and Kendall Smith Franchini, the inspiring mother-daughter duo behind The Cook’s Atelier, the popular culinary school in the Burgundy region of France. Marjorie and Kendall join host Kerry Diamond to share the bold decisions that led them to move from Phoenix to France at very different stages of their lives. They also talk about their brand-new cookbook, “French at Heart: Recipes That Bring France Home,” and the moments from their lives that inspired the book. Thank you to Cartolina for supporting Radio Cherry Bombe.Subscribe to Cherry Bombe’s print magazine. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. More on Marjorie & Kendall: The Cook’s Atelier, “French at Heart” cookbookMore on Kerry: Instagram

Today’s guest is the radiant Eden Grinshpan—host of “Top Chef Canada,” cookbook author, and all-around joy-spreader. Eden joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her brand new cookbook, “Tahini Baby: Bright, Everyday Recipes That Happen To Be Vegetarian,” which hits shelves tomorrow. It’s a flavorful tribute to the Middle Eastern-inspired dishes of her childhood and her forever pantry hero: tahini. They also dive into creativity in the kitchen, chasing joy, and the power of food to connect and comfort. To get our new Love Issue, click here. Subscribe to the She’s My Cherry Pie baking newsletter.Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. More on Eden: Instagram, “Tahini Baby” cookbookMore on Kerry: Instagram

Lots of folks in the baking world are buzzing about Cake Picnic, the gathering created by amateur baker and Google UX expert Elisa Sunga. She was hoping 15 folks would attend the very first Cake Picnic; more than 300 folks RSVP’d. For her most recent Cake Picnic in San Francisco, more than 1,000 attendees showed up, cake in tow. After all, the first rule of Cake Picnic is simple: “No cake, no entry.” Today, people are DM’ing and emailing her from around the world, asking for Elisa to bring Cake Picnic to their town. She already has a 6,000-person waitlist for the gathering scheduled for New York. Elisa joins host Kerry Diamond to unpack the popularity of Cake Picnic and the unexpected momentum behind it. They explore how her background in UX design at Google informs her approach to community-building, her online persona, and the story behind the Bucket List Bake Club. Plus, she shares how Cake Picnic has become a reflection of a broader cultural hunger for joy, connection, and creative expression.To get our n

In this special episode, we’re joined by the legendary Alice Waters—chef, activist, founder of Chez Panisse, and the visionary behind the Edible Schoolyard Project. Alice is one of four culinary icons featured in the upcoming “Chef’s Table: Legends” documentary on Netflix, dropping on April 28th to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the series.Alice joins host Kerry Diamond from her home in Berkeley and shares her passionate advocacy for free, healthy school lunches for all children—and why she believes this is the key to transforming our food system. We also dive into her Netflix episode, reconciliation with fellow food pioneer Jeremiah Tower after three decades of silence, and her new life as a grandmother.To get our new Love Issue, click here. Subscribe to our baking newsletter.Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. More on Alice: Instagram, The Edible Schoolyard Project, Chez PanisseMore on Kerry: Instagram

Joanna Gaines of Magnolia and “Fixer Upper” is a household name, but her path to success was anything but conventional. In this special episode, recorded live at Cherry Bombe’s Jubilee conference in 2023, Joanna sat down with host Kerry Diamond to reflect on her journey—from working in her father’s tire shop for a decade to becoming a design icon and media powerhouse. Fresh off a meaningful family trip to Seoul, Joanna opened up about her early career disappointments, shared candid advice for young adults on college and purpose, and revealed what’s still on her bucket list. It’s an inspiring, grounded, and deeply personal conversation about staying true to your vision, even when the road is winding.For Jubilee 2025 tickets, click here. To get our new Love Issue, click here. Subscribe to She’s My Cherry Pie’s baking newsletter.Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. More on Joanna: Instagram, Magnolia, Magnolia NetworkMore on Kerry: Instagram

Today’s guest is Laura Lendrum, CEO of Printemps America. The iconic Parisian department store now has a sister location on Wall Street in New York City that blends fashion, food, and French luxury under one roof. Laura joins host Kerry Diamond to discuss why the new location is distinctly NOT a department store, and how culinary, as led by Chef Gregory Gourdet, plays a big role in the concept. They also dive into Laura’s time as president of Ralph Lauren, and talk about the success of Ralph’s Coffee and The Polo Bar restaurant, and what the worlds of fashion and hospitality can learn from each other. Thank you to Maazah for supporting Radio Cherry Bombe.For Jubilee 2025 tickets, click here. To get our new Love Issue, click here. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. More on Laura: Printemps NY Instagram, Printemps NY websiteMore on Kerry: Instagram

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 former host of “Top Chef,” the star and creator of “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.”If you’re attending Jubilee, don’t miss our first-ever Jubilee Pre-Game on