Radio Cherry Bombe
Radio Cherry Bombe
The Cherry Bombe Podcast Network
Radio Cherry Bombe features interviews with the most interesting people in the world of food. Each week, host Kerry Diamond, founder and editor of the indie magazine Cherry Bombe, talks to the chefs, bakers, creatives, and entrepreneurs making it happen. Follow @cherrybombe on Instagram for show news and more, and visit cherrybombe.com/radio-cherry-bombe for transcripts and past episodes. Thank you to Tralala for our theme song, "All Fired Up." Produced by The Cherry Bombe Podcast Network
Sexy Italian Summer: La DoubleJ Founder J.J. Martin’s Milanese Magic
We’re kicking off our Sexy Italian Summer miniseries with J.J. Martin, the California-born, Milan-based founder, Creative Director, and Chief Spiritual Officer of La DoubleJ, the maximalist fashion and lifestyle brand celebrated for its bold vintage prints, spiritual energy, and Italian craftsmanship. J.J. is also the author of “Mamma Milano: Lessons from the Motherland.” J.J. joins host Kerry Diamond to share her journey from Harper’s Bazaar editor to creative force in Milan, her favorite spots and foods in Italy, the inspiration behind her brand’s summer collection, and more. From what she’s eating and drinking to how she built her beloved brand, J.J. brings all the color, style, and la dolce vita vibes. Thank you to Nonino and Square for their support. Learn more at square.com/big Tickets for Jubilee L.A. Join the Summer Tastemaker Tour waitlist Subscribe to Cherry Bombe’s print magazine More on J.J.: Instagram, La DoubleJ, Sisterhood, healer book, “Mamma Milano” book More on Kerry: Instagram Past episodes and transcripts
Aug 6
46 min
Chef Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel Of Birdies In Austin Flipped A Coin To Determine Her Future
If you’re agonizing over a big life decision, Chef Tracy has a simple solution for you. Flip a coin. It sounds crazy, but that’s exactly what she and her husband, Arjav Ezekiel, did when they couldn’t decide where to move. Start their future together in Portland, Oregon, where Arjav was from? Or move to bustling Austin? They tossed a quarter in the air and let fate decide. “Tails, it’s Texas” prevailed. Today, their restaurant, Birdie’s, is one of the most celebrated eateries in the city, the state, and beyond. Fans love the food and drink, the counter-service vibe, and the warm hospitality. (Arjav recently won a James Beard for being a great beverage pro. Congrats, Arjav!) But Birdie’s is also admired for its enlightened employee practices, like paid vacation, maternity leave, and health insurance. It’s one of the reasons Tracy was named to our first-ever Cherry Bombe Power List. Tracy joined me from Austin for this episode to chat about her life and career, from working for Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group to cheffing through IVF and a tough pregnancy, and her love of fingerling potatoes. Do all chefs love potatoes? I think so. Tracy’s an inspiring human, and I’m so happy to have her back on the show. Give a listen, and, of course, if you find yourself in Austin, go visit Birdie’s. –Host Kerry Diamond Thank you to Visa & OpenTable for supporting our show. Tickets for Jubilee L.A. Join the waitlist for our Summer Tastemaker Tour Subscribe to Cherry Bombe’s print magazine Follow me on Instagram
Aug 4
33 min
Comedian And Author Youngmi Mayer Is Laughing And Crying And Still Loves Restaurants
Hey, listeners! Somewhere in my notes app is a list of people I’d like to interview for the podcast, and today I get to cross off one of those names–Youngmi Mayer. I’ve wanted to talk to Youngmi ever since I read her memoir, “I’m Laughing Because I’m Crying,” which I picked up after seeing her perform a stand-up routine at the Bell House in Brooklyn earlier this year as part of an abortion rights fundraiser hosted by Padma Lakshmi. Youngmi’s set was heavy on audience participation and she somehow got three white guys to join her onstage for a bit about DEI. (Yes, Youngmi somehow made DEI funny.) I left thinking she was as subversive as she was brilliant. Fast forward to the book. This was a story about family, generational trauma, racial identity, and one very complicated restaurant business. (Youngmi was a key player in the history of Mission Chinese Food.) The book title starts to make sense early on. Youngmi joins me to talk about all of this. We also chat about the Slutty Cheff, “The Bear,” her one-woman show at Joe’s Pub, and lots more. Thanks in advance for listening to the show and obviously, pick up Youngmi’s book. Let me know what you think. –Host Kerry Diamond Tickets for Jubilee L.A. Join the waitlist for our Summer Tastemaker Tour Subscribe to Cherry Bombe’s print magazine More on Kerry: Instagram Past episodes and transcripts
Jul 30
52 min
Substack Star Caroline Chambers Live At Jubilee
Hi, listeners! Host Kerry Diamond here. Welcome to the show notes, and thank you for listening. If no one has told you lately, you clearly have great taste in podcasts. Today’s guest is Substack queen, bestselling author & boy mom Caroline Chambers recorded live at Jubilee NYC, Cherry Bombe’s annual conference. (Curious about Jubilee? Join us at the upcoming Jubilee in L.A.) My favorite thing about Caroline? She doesn’t gatekeep. I’ve interviewed her a few times now, and she is always happy to spill all the details regarding her Substack and how she wound up with the NUMBER ONE SUBSTACK IN FOOD AND DRINK. Amazing. Here’s the leaderboard if you need proof. (For Caroline’s Substack success step-by-step, check out our pod from last year.) She also talks about being rejected by all the cookbook editors when shopping the proposal for “What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking,” which, of course, went on to be a major hit. That must have felt nice when the book made The New York Times bestseller list. (Cue the “Pretty Woman” big mistake scene.) Few more things. Thanks to Michelladonna of “Shop Cats” (happy belated birthday, M!) and Alice Ma of Mad Realities for introducing Caroline at Jubilee. Big thanks to Square for supporting our show and taking care of so many small businesses. Check out what they’re up to at square.com/big. And go visit Este Restaurant if you’re in Austin. Lastly, congrats to Caroline and her hubby on their new baby–their fourth boy! So many boys. If you have a Substack, I want to know about it. Email us at info@cherrybombe.com and put something funny in the subject line so we have no choice but to open your email. Join the waitlist for our Summer Tastemaker Tour. We have a print magazine. Subscribe here. You’re the Bombe.
Jul 28
29 min
Gloria Steinem, Live From Jubilee NYC
Feminist icon Gloria Steinem was the keynote speaker at our Jubilee conference held in New York City this past April. An inspiration to millions of women around the world for her trailblazing work, writings, and protesting, Gloria was interviewed by her longtime collaborator Amy Richards. They discussed everything from the need for community to the current President to Gloria’s goal of living past 100. While Gloria is not a foodie, as Amy pointed out, she did contribute to the food world during her time supporting farmworker activist Cesar Chavez and through her work to end gender discrimination in prominent restaurants. Gloria and Amy were introduced by author and activist Padma Lakshmi and her daughter, Krishna Lakshmi-Dell. Thank you to Square for their support. Learn more at square.com/big Tickets for Jubilee L.A. Join the waitlist for our Summer Tastemaker Tour Subscribe to Cherry Bombe’s print magazine More on Gloria: Instagram, Gloria’s Foundation, “Dear Ms.” on HBO Max More on Amy: Books More on Padma: Instagram, website More on Kerry: Instagram Past episodes and transcripts
Jul 21
28 min
The Bear’s Liza Colón-Zayas On Tina, Heart & Hustle, Best Of Episode
In honor of “The Bear” Season 4 dropping in June, we’re re-airing our interview from 2023 with actor Liza Colón-Zayas. Liza plays Tina, the tough on the outside, soft on the inside cook, dealing with change and grief, and learning to find joy in the small moments. She joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her career, her perseverance, and what “The Bear” has meant to her. If you missed our previous best-of “The Bear” episodes with Jeremy Allen White and Courtney Storer, be sure to check them out. Thank you to Le Creuset and Square for their support. lecreuset.com/culinary lecreuset.com/gourmand-collection square.com/big Tickets for Jubilee L.A. and the Summer Tastemaker Tour Subscribe to Cherry Bombe’s print magazine More on Liza: Instagram, “The Bear” More on Kerry: Instagram Past episodes and transcripts
Jul 14
43 min
She’s My Cherry Pie: Magnolia Bakery’s CEO And Chief Baking Officer Bobbie Lloyd
For today’s episode of Radio Cherry Bombe, we are airing an episode of She’s My Cherry Pie, The Cherry Bombe Podcast Network’s baking show. Host Jessie Sheehan is joined by Bobbie Lloyd, the CEO and Chief Baking Officer of the legendary Magnolia Bakery in New York City. Bobbie is also a cookbook author, and her latest book, “The Magnolia Bakery Handbook Vol. 2: Icebox Desserts,” was released earlier this year. Bobbie shares the origin story of the bakery and how it became a global dessert empire, including how the show “Sex and the City” turned it from a local cupcake shop to an international sensation. Bobbie also walks us through the recipe for Magnolia’s famous banana pudding—yes!—the recipe everyone can’t get enough of. Thank you to Le Creuset and Square for their support. lecreuset.com/culinary lecreuset.com/gourmand-collection square.com/big Click here for the Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding recipe Subscribe to the She’s My Cherry Pie baking newsletter Tickets for Jubilee L.A. and the Summer Tastemaker Tour Subscribe to Cherry Bombe’s print magazine More on Bobbie: Instagram, Magnolia Bakery, ”The Magnolia Bakery Handbook of Icebox Desserts” cookbook More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook More on Kerry: Instagram Past episodes and transcripts
Jul 7
47 min
Chef Adé Carrena Of Dounou Cuisine On Her Journey Of Reclamation
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: Instagram Past episodes and transcripts
Jun 30
43 min
Mashama Bailey Of The Grey In Savannah On Mentorship, Her Paris Plans & Food With Meaning
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 innovative ways. Subscribe to our magazine here and check out the full list on cherrybombe.com. More on Mashama: Instagram, The Grey More on Kerry: Instagram Past episodes and transcripts
Jun 25
39 min
Eat To The Beat With Chef & Guitarist Cheetie Kumar Of Ajja In Raleigh
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, Independent Restaurant Coalition More on Kerry: Instagram Past episodes and transcripts
Jun 23
45 min
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