Radio Cherry Bombe

Today’s guest is Melissa King, “Top Chef” champ, cookbook author, activist, Cherry Bombe cover star, and longtime friend of the Bombesquad. Melissa is back on Radio Cherry Bombe to talk about her new memoir, “The Girl Who Became King,” out tomorrow.

Melissa joins host Kerry Diamond to discuss the six-year process of writing the book, what it was like to tell her family’s story, her two very different grandmothers, and how food became so essential. They also talk Lunar New Year hot pot, Thanksgiving with roast duck and sticky rice, life behind the scenes on “Top Chef,” her friendship with Padma Lakshmi, and who she chose for her culinary castaway. 

Don’t miss Melissa at this week’s Cherry Bombe meeting, Wednesday at 3 p.m. EST on Zoom. Register here. 

Thank you to Whole Foods and Ketel One for supporting our show. 

• Melissa King's Shanghainese "Lion's Head" Meatballs
• The new issue of Cherry Bombe Magazine
• Sign up for our free Radio Cherry Bombe newsletter at cherrybombe.substack.com
• Follow Melissa on Instagram
• Follow Kerry on Instagram

Today’s guest is Danny Meyer, the legendary restaurateur, entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Shake Shack and Union Square Hospitality Group, which includes iconic spots like Gramercy Tavern, Union Square Cafe, Ci Siamo, and Daily Provisions. Danny joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about his new book, “What Could Possibly Go Right?,” out tomorrow, and the lessons he’s learned from decades in the restaurant business.

Danny explains why he doesn’t like to give advice, why it’s not a failure to close a restaurant, the first time President Barack Obama visited one of his restaurants, and why Ina Garten is one of his mentors. He also answers questions from the Cherry Bombe Substack chat. 

Thank you to Barilla, Ketel One, and California Prunes for supporting our show. 

• The new issue of Cherry Bombe Magazine
• Sign up for our free Radio Cherry Bombe newsletter at cherrybombe.substack.com
• Follow Danny on Instagram
• Follow Kerry on Instagram

Today’s guest is Olivia Tiedemann, the private chef and social media superstar behind the debut cookbook “Eat Like the Rich.” Olivia joins host Kerry Diamond live from the Cherry Bombe House studio to talk about the book, her cheeky title, her life as a private chef, and why salads are a scam.

They also discuss Olivia’s Brooklyn childhood, the trip to Madagascar that rerouted her life, her restaurant years, Ballymaloe Cookery School, and the videos that turned her into one of the internet’s most exciting food personalities. Plus, Olivia shares her love of cheese, Gordon Ramsay, White Cheddar Cheez-Its, and the fine art of knowing when to take out the nose ring.

This episode of Radio Cherry Bombe was recorded at Resident in New York City. 

Thank you to California Prunes, Whole Foods Market, and Ketel One for supporting our show. 

• Cherry Bombe’s Farmers & Makers
• The new issue of Cherry Bombe Magazine
• National Food Service Worker Day on September 25th
• Sign up for our free Radio Cherry Bombe newsletter at cherrybombe.substack.com
• Follow Olivia on Instagram
• Follow Kerry on Instagram

On today’s Radio Cherry Bombe, Emily Sundberg of the popular Feed Me newsletter and J Lee of the Expense Account podcast join host Kerry Diamond to talk about the New York food scene, their early culinary memories, $60 bread, fig drama, salt bread, and why everyone has an opinion about food.

They also discuss Season Two of Expense Account, which launches this week and is now part of Higher Ground, the media company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama.

Thank you to Whole Foods Market & Ketel One for supporting our show. 

• Cherry Bombe House schedule and tickets
• Sign up for our free Radio Cherry Bombe newsletter at cherrybombe.substack.com
• Subscribe to Feed Me on Substack
• Follow Emily on Instagram
• Follow J on Instagram
• Follow Kerry on Instagram

Today’s guest is Maryam Ishtiaq, the chef, founder, storyteller, and mom behind It’s Actually, a bone broth brand inspired by her family, her heritage, and the healing power of food. Maryam joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about growing up in Pakistan, feeding her community, building a company from her kitchen, and how broth became the foundation for a bigger mission.

They discuss Maryam’s path from pre-med and marketing to food entrepreneurship, competing on Gordon Ramsay’s “Next Level Chef,” and what it takes to make a product from scratch without cutting corners. Plus, Maryam shares why the kitchen is the heart of her home, how her daughters became hot pot fans, and the advice she has for anyone ready to pivot.

Thank you to Miele, Whole Foods Market, and Little Spoon for supporting our show. Listeners get 30% off their first order at littlespoon.com/CHERRY. 

• Cherry Bombe House schedule and tickets
• Sign up for our free Radio Cherry Bombe newsletter at cherrybombe.substack.com
• Follow Maryam on Instagram
• Follow Kerry on Instagram

Today’s episode is a special tribute to Gloria Steinem, the legendary feminist, activist, writer, and champion of equality, who passed away yesterday. In Gloria’s honor, we are re-airing highlights from her keynote conversation with Amy Richards at last year’s Jubilee Conference in New York City.

The episode also features “Meet the Moment: The Power of Food and Storytelling in Creating Change,” a Jubilee panel moderated by Klancy Miller of “For the Culture,” with Paola Velez, Natasha Pickowicz, Zaynab Issa, and Deb Freeman. Together, these women reflect on community, activism, storytelling, and how food can be a force for connection and change. It’s a powerful reminder of Gloria’s legacy and the work we all have to keep doing.

• More on Gloria: Instagram, Gloria’s Foundation, “Dear Ms.” on HBO Max
• More on Amy: Books
• Natasha Pickowicz’ bake sale
• Lana Lagomarsini’s new restaurant, Creola
• Cherry Bombe House schedule and tickets
• Sign up for our free Radio Cherry Bombe newsletter at cherrybombe.substack.com

Today’s guest is Carla Lalli, the bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and content creator behind the new book “Food Is a Feeling: Recipes and Stories with Love.” Carla joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about Nora Ephron, beach peaches, recipes that aren’t really recipes, and how food became a source of comfort, creativity, and self-soothing after the end of her marriage.

They also discuss Carla’s book tour, her no-compromise approach to making this very personal cookbook, the joy of eating your feelings, and why summer is not over yet. 

Thank you to Miele, Nonino, and Whole Foods Market for supporting our show. 

Today’s guest is Caroline Schiff, the celebrated pastry chef, author, baker, and Bombe Squad OG. Caroline joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her new cookbook, “Daily Dessert: Treats on Repeat,” out October 13th, and her upcoming Brooklyn restaurant, Monday Diner.

They discuss Caroline’s love of everyday sweets, her black-and-white coconut macaroon cookies from her new book, the dessert menu she’s dreaming up for Monday Diner, and why there’s no such thing as too many diners (or desserts!). Plus, Caroline and Kerry talk summer escapes, warm weather eats, watercolors, and more.

Thank you to Miele and Nonino for supporting our show. 

Today’s guest is Rhoda Magbitang, winner of “Top Chef” Season 23 and executive chef of CanoeHouse at the Mauna Lani Auberge Collection resort on Hawaii’s Big Island. Rhoda joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her “Top Chef” journey, from getting cast to her Last Chance Kitchen redemption to winning it all with a deeply personal Filipino finale menu.

They discuss Rhoda’s remarkable path from the Philippines to California at age 17, her time cooking in some of L.A.’s top kitchens, and how she found her way to Hawaii. Plus, Rhoda talks about the special dinners she’s cooking in New York City and what’s happening at CanoeHouse.

Today’s guest is Mariana Velásquez, the celebrated food stylist, author, and entertaining expert behind the cookbooks “Colombiana” and “Revel.” Mariana joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about summer produce, beans, kitchen essentials, why she’s Team Galette, and her summer hosting tips. Spoiler alert: Don’t run out of ice. 

Today’s show is presented by Miele.