Radio Cherry Bombe

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.

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More on Alice: Instagram, The Edible Schoolyard Project, Chez Panisse
More 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. 

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Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. 

More on Joanna: Instagram, Magnolia, Magnolia Network
More 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 website
More 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 Zoom this Wednesday, April 2nd, at 3 p.m. EST—an exclusive session for ticket holders to get all the insider details before the big day.

For Jubilee 2025 tickets, click here. 

To get our new Love Issue, click here. 

Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. 

More on Padma: Instagram
More on Madhur: Madhur's Books
More on Kerry: Instagram

Behind the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, a quieter movement is taking shape—one focused on sustainability. Anna Schmid, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about this evolution and one of the resort’s most impactful initiatives—the Food Rescue Alliance. A collaboration between The Venetian and The Just One Project, the alliance provides more than 20,000 meals each month to those in need across Southern Nevada.

Tune in to learn how this program came to life, the logistics and teamwork that keep it running, and how Anna’s unconventional career path positioned her to drive meaningful change. Plus, Anna shares insights on fostering corporate support for philanthropic programs and offers advice for anyone looking to make a difference in their own organization.

Thank you to Las Vegas for supporting our show. Learn more and book your trip here. 

For Jubilee 2025 tickets, click here. 

To get our new Love Issue, click here. 

Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. 

More on Anna: The Venetian Las Vegas
More on Kerry: Instagram

Today’s guest is Kiera Wright-Ruiz, author of “My (Half) Latinx Kitchen: Half Recipes, Half Stories, All Latin American.” 

Kiera joins host Kerry Diamond to share the journey behind her deeply personal debut cookbook, which weaves together her cultural heritage and love of food. They also dive into her bold decision to move to Tokyo during the pandemic—a move that became more than just an adventure. She opens up about life in Japan, the surprising perks (like $10 dentist appointments!), and how it compares to the U.S.

Thank you to Ghirardelli Professional Products for supporting our show. 

For Jubilee 2025 tickets, click here. 

To get our new Love Issue, click here. 

Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. 

More on Kiera: Instagram, “My (Half) Latinx Kitchen”
More on Kerry: Instagram

Today’s guest is Sarah Thompson, executive chef at Casa Playa at Wynn Resort in Las Vegas and a newly minted James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Southwest. Before getting tapped to helm the 300-seat restaurant, Sarah got her start working at celebrated spots like Marea and Cosme in New York City. Today, she’s one of the few female executive chefs on the world-famous Strip. 

Sarah joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about the influence of her family, why she was drawn to fine dining, her tight-knit team, her thoughts on teaching and mentorship, and more.

Thank you to Las Vegas for supporting our show. Learn more and book your trip here. 

For Jubilee 2025 tickets, click here. 

To get our new Love Issue, click here. 

Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. 

More on Sarah: Instagram, Casa Playa, Wynn Las Vegas
More on Kerry: Instagram

Today’s guest is Alice Cheng, the founder and CEO of Culinary Agents—the hiring platform for the hospitality industry. Think LinkedIn, but for back of house and front of house folks. 

Alice joins host Kerry Diamond to share insights on today’s hottest restaurant jobs, what cities are booming, and why communication skills often outweigh kitchen chops when it comes to hiring. Plus, they dive into her unconventional career journey—from studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology to working as a temp at IBM to becoming a respected entrepreneur and founder in the hospitality world. 

For Jubilee 2025 tickets, click here. 

To get our new Love Issue, click here. 

Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. 

More on Alice: Instagram, Culinary Agents, website
More on Kerry: Instagram

Today’s guest is Elizabeth Blau, the trailblazer who helped shape Las Vegas into a world-class culinary destination and is now championing a more supportive hospitality industry for women. She talks to host Kerry Diamond about her journey from “taco girl” at a hometown watering hole to powerhouse executive. 

They discuss Elizabeth’s early years working with Sirio Maccioni of Le Cirque fame, her move to Las Vegas and her work with the Wynn family, the launch of her own company, Blau & Associates, and the achievements of the Women’s Hospitality Initiative, which she co-founded to help women advance in the ranks of restaurants and hospitality organizations. 

Thank you to Las Vegas for supporting our show. Learn more and book your trip here. 

For Jubilee 2025 tickets, click here. 

To get our Love Issue, click here. 

Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. 

More on Elizabeth: Instagram, Women's Hospitality Initiative, Blau & Associates
More on Kerry: Instagram

Laurie Woolever is a writer and author of the highly anticipated memoir, “Care and Feeding,” which hits shelves tomorrow. Laurie’s book is a deeply personal and unflinching account of her time as an assistant to two towering figures in the food world—Mario Batali, the disgraced celebrity chef, and Anthony Bourdain, the beloved yet complex TV icon and writer. She also shares her own journey, reflecting on how she nearly lost herself in the relentless care and feeding of others.

Laurie joins host Kerry Diamond and opens up about the challenges, hard truths, and personal reckoning that shaped her story. It’s an emotional and thought-provoking discussion that touches on power dynamics, toxic workplaces, and resilience. The duo talks about sensitive topics, so please listen with care.

For Jubilee 2025 tickets, click here. 

To get our new Love Issue, click here. 

Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. 

More on Laurie: Instagram, “Care and Feeding” memoir
More on Kerry: Instagram