Radio Cherry Bombe

Today’s guest is Rasheeda Purdie, the chef and founder of Ramen by Ra, the cult-favorite breakfast ramen shop in New York City’s East Village. Rasheeda joins host Kerry Diamond for a conversation recorded live at Cherry Bombe House, where guests got to sample her inventive ramen creations, including her signature bacon, egg, and cheese ramen.

They discuss Rasheeda’s early career in fashion, from working with Betsey Johnson to styling Michelle Obama and Beyoncé, and how she pivoted to the culinary world at age 30. Rasheeda shares how a pandemic project turned into one of New York’s most buzzed-about ramen spots, the inspiration behind her breakfast-inspired bowls, and why attention to detail is at the heart of everything she does. Plus, they talk about her recent trip to Paris, learning to slow down, and what’s next for Ramen by Ra.

Thank you to Barilla, Square, and Haven Well Within for supporting our show. 

Get $25 off  your Haven Well Within order with code CHERRYBOMBE. Valid 10/21 to 11/15.

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

Today’s guest is Ayesha Nurdjaja, the powerhouse chef and co-owner of Shuka and Shukette, two of New York City’s most beloved restaurants. Ayesha joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her debut cookbook, “Mediterranean All The Way: Bold Flavors Built to Share,” out tomorrow.

They discuss Ayesha’s Brooklyn roots, her early dreams of music, diamonds, and cooking, and how an externship at Felidia changed the course of her life. Ayesha also talks about the food and energy behind Shuka and Shukette, why “rip and dip” is her love language, the pantry staples she swears by, and her new cooking show.

Thank you to Barilla, Whole Foods, and Wonderful Pistachios 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 Ayesha on Instagram
• Follow Kerry on Instagram

Today’s guest is Nara Smith, the wildly popular content creator, model, mom, and now cookbook author behind her debut cookbook “Homemade.” Nara joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about bringing her signature videos to life on the page, the recipes and fashion in the book, and why “homemade” means so much more to her than just cooking from scratch.

They discuss Nara’s childhood in Germany, cooking with her grandmother, her family’s influence on her kitchen life, and how her health journey led her to make more food from scratch. Plus, Nara talks about working with food stylist Victoria Granof, creating her cookbook’s unforgettable cover, tuning out internet noise, and why Martha Stewart—or maybe Julius Roberts—is her desert island pick.

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

• Nara and Sophia Roe in conversation at Jubilee 2026
• The new issue of Cherry Bombe Magazine
• Sign up for our free Radio Cherry Bombe newsletter at cherrybombe.substack.com
• Follow Nara on Instagram
• Follow Kerry on Instagram

Today’s guest is Melissa Clark, the beloved The New York Times food reporter and recipe columnist who has written an astounding 46 cookbooks. She’s also Cherry Bombe’s newest cover star! Melissa joins host Kerry Diamond live from Cherry Bombe House to talk about her next book (“The Big Book of Dinner: Recipes and Rules and How to Break Them,” out November 17th), her incredible career, why dinner is her happy place, and the gadgets she loves. 

Melissa also shares stories from her early restaurant days, including her week as the opening coat check girl at Gramercy Tavern, and why Claudia Fleming is her desert island pick.

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

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

• Get the new issue of Cherry Bombe Magazine with Melissa on the cover
• RECIPE SNEAK PEEK: Click here for Melissa’s Classic Salt & Pepper Roast Chicken from “The Big Book of Dinner”
• RECIPE SNEAK PEEK: Click here for Melissa’s Perfect Pound Cake from “The Big Book of Dinner”
• Follow Melissa on Instagram
• Follow Kerry on Instagram

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
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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