Sajani Amarasiri was born to launch her own business. She was entrepreneurial as a child growing up in Sri Lanka, studied supply chain management in college, and pursued numerous side hustles as a young adult. While working at Microsoft, she had the idea to launch the first networking and co-working space in Sri Lanka. Called Colombo Cooperative, the concept was embraced by the emerging entrepreneur community in her native country. Around the same time, back in the U.S., Sajani couldn’t help but notice how Southeast Asian traditions and ingredients were influencing the wellness world, so she decided to launch her second bootstrapped brand, one that would pay homage to the Sri Lankan practices she and her family hold dear. That brand, Kola Goodies, earned Sajani the Cherry Bombe Women in Food Award as part of the Foxtrot Market 2022 Up & Comers competition. Her prize includes a monetary award, marketing support, and a spot on Foxtrot’s shelves. Sajani joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her journey, the situation in Sri Lanka, how to survive and thrive in a corporation, and what’s next for Kola Goodies. To learn more about Kola Goodies and try them for yourself, visit Foxtrot’s online store. Radio Cherry Bombe is recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Our theme song is by the band Tra La La. Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here! More on Sajani: Instagram, Kola Goodies More on Foxtrot: Locations, Online Shop
Grace Young knew she wanted to cook from a young age. She was making Julia Child recipes at the age of 10 and as a teen and washed dishes in exchange for cooking lessons from a local instructor. Grace went on to work in test kitchens and write her own cookbooks, including two classics, "The Wisdom of The Chinese Kitchen" and "Breath of a Wok." Before the start of the pandemic in 2020, Grace found herself in a new role, that of activist, as she started fighting for the survival of Manhattan’s Chinatown. Her activism expanded to include Chinatowns around the country, as well as AAPI communities. Because of that work, Grace received this year’s Julia Child Award from the Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts, as well as Humanitarian of the Year from the James Beard Foundation. She joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her work and culinary calling, and the unexpected turn her life has taken. Thank you to Brightland for supporting this episode. Shop and find recipes at brightland.co. Here is the KK Discount Go Fund Me that Grace mentioned. Radio Cherry Bombe is recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Our theme song is by the band Tra La La. Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here! More on Grace: Instagram, The Julia Child Award, Website
For the keynote conversation at this year’s Cherry Bombe Jubilee Conference, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Kim Severson of The New York Times sat down with food TV superstar and best-selling author Rachael Ray for an honest chat about her life, work, and philanthropy. Introducing Kim and Rachael is Brittany Bradford, the actor who plays Alice Neiman on the HBO Max original series "Julia." Rachael and Kim’s conversation was recorded in April at Center415 in Manhattan. The Cherry Bombe Jubilee conference is the largest gathering of women in the food and drink space in the U.S. This was the 9th in-person Jubilee and the largest one yet. Thank you to Kerrygold for supporting today’s show. Visit kerrygoldusa.com for product info, recipes, and a store near you. Radio Cherry Bombe is recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Our theme song is by the band Tra La La. Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here. More on Kim: Instagram, Website More on Rachael: Instagram, Rachael Ray Show, Website
"The Bear" might be the best TV show about restaurant life ever, and its emotional center is Jeremy Allen White, formerly of "Shameless," who plays Chef Carmen “Carmy” Berzotto. Carmy, a rising star in the culinary world, returns to Chicago after the death of his brother in an attempt to save his family’s failing eatery. He’s supported and sometimes thwarted in his mission by family, his brother’s longtime crew, and an upstart sous chef named Sydney. Jeremy joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about how he prepared for his role, the team behind the show, and his take on restaurants today. Don’t miss this episode! And be sure to catch "The Bear" on Hulu. Clips courtesy of FX Networks. Thank you to Kerrygold, makers of Irish grass-fed butter and cheese, for supporting this episode. To learn more and find a store near you, visit kerrygoldusa.com. This episode is also supported by Brightland, the modern pantry essentials company. Radio Cherry Bombe is recorded at Newsstand Studios at ...
Christy Goldsby was helping a friend through a health crisis when she came upon a sweet but healthy treat that made her stop in her tracks. That discovery led to the creation of Honey Mama’s, the line of cocoa truffle bars—think better-for-you chocolates with nourishing ingredients—that you keep in the fridge. Christy joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about taking Honey Mama’s from local Portland, Oregon, fave to a nationally distributed darling. Christy also shares what she’s learned along the way, the tools she relies on as an entrepreneur, and how the brand has raised money over the years. This episode is supported by Brightland, the modern pantry essentials company. Use code CHERRYBOMBE10 for 10% off The Mini Essentials through the end of June at brightland.co. Radio Cherry Bombe is recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Our theme song is by the band Tra La La. Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here! More on Christy: Instagram, Honey Mama’s
Summer’s here and we hope that means good eats for you this season. On today’s show, two folks who want to help: writer/actor/producer Stanley Tucci and The New York Times Food & Cooking editor Nikita Richardson. Stanley joins us in the second part of the show to chat about his summer plans, his summer reading list, and the San Pellegrino "Summer like an Italian" sweepstakes. (Pro tip: enter!) At the start of the show, host Kerry Diamond catches up with Nikita to hear about her job at the Times and her restaurant newsletter, Where To Eat: New York City. Nikita shares a few faves, her advice for snagging restaurant reservations, and how she tries to have a work-life balance. This episode is supported by Costa Brazil, a line of skincare and aroma for the body, the spirit, and the earth founded by Francisco Costa. Visit livecostabrazil.com for more. Radio Cherry Bombe is recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Our theme song is by the band Tra La La. Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here! LINKS: San Pellegrino competition The recipe for Stanley’s favorite zucchini dish Nikita’s newsletter Nikita on Radio Cherry Bombe in 2018 Nikita’s Grub Street article: Where Are All The Black Restaurant Critics? Nikita on Instagram Stanley on Radio Cherry Bombe in 2021 Stanley and Ina Garten on Radio Cherry Bombe Stanley on Instagram
The beverage category is a crowded place these days, especially with all the launches in the low-ABV and no-alcohol space. (Why are there so many spiked seltzers?) But that didn’t deter Dee Charlemagne, co-founder of Avec, the fizzy mixers you can drink straight up or in a cocktail or mocktail. The brand launched early in the pandemic and has found a devoted audience for its modern flavors, ingredients, and low-to-no-sugar stance. Dee joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about entrepreneurship, funding, Starbucks super fans, and the future of Avec. This episode is supported by Costa Brazil, a line of skincare and aroma for the body, the spirit, and the earth founded by Francisco Costa. Visit livecostabrazil.com for more. Radio Cherry Bombe is recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Our theme song is by the band Tra La La. Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here! More on Dee: Instagram, AVEC Drinks
Actor and storyteller Yin Chang and restaurateur Moonlynn Tsai met over a meal, fell in love at Burning Man (yes, they share that story), and put their personal lives on hold to care for elders in New York’s Chinatown with nutritious, culturally appropriate meals. At the start of the pandemic, the two realized the elder community needed help, so they stepped forward, bringing their friends and colleagues along in support of the cause and creating Heart of Dinner in the process. The violence directed toward the AAPI community over the past few years has only intensified their desire to make a difference. Yin and Moonlyn stopped by Radio Cherry Bombe to share their story with host Kerry Diamond. Learn about the work Heart of Dinner is doing today and what you can do to help. If you’d like to donate or volunteer, visit here! Thank you to Kerrygold, makers of Irish grass-fed butter and cheese, for supporting this episode. To learn more and find a store near you, visit kerrygoldusa.com...
Three food world dynamos got together for a fireside chat at this year’s sold-out Cherry Bombe Jubilee conference, held in New York City this past April. Hetty McKinnon of Peddler Journal and "To Asia, With Love" moderated a conversation with Sana Javeri Kadri of Diaspora Co. and Zoe Adjonyoh of "Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen" and the James Beard Foundation on a wide range of topics, from “diasporic angst” to growth and failure. “If you don’t push yourself out of your comfort zone, where’s the grace going to happen?” asked Zoe. Don’t miss their thoughtful conversation. Their talk was introduced by Jannell Lo, the chef and creator of the #DumptheHate AAPI anti-violence campaign and My BF is GF. Thank you to Kerrygold, makers of Irish grass-fed butter and cheese, for supporting this episode. To learn more and find a store near you, visit kerrygoldusa.com. If you enjoyed this conversation, catch past Radio Cherry Bombe appearances with Hetty, Zoe, and Sana. Radio Cherry Bombe is recorde...
It’s the cake company that was truly born on the bayou—Bayou Saint Cake from Pastry Chef Bronwen Wyatt. Bronwen joins host Kerry Diamond to share her journey from making rolled cakes out of the "Joy of Cooking" cookbook at age 8 to launching a custom cake business out of necessity during the pandemic in New Orleans. Learn how this thoughtful cake artist channels her love of art and seasonality to create some of the most original and festive baked goods around. Thank you to Käserei Champignon, the maker of Cambozola cheese, and California Prunes for supporting this episode. Radio Cherry Bombe is recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Our theme song is by the band Tra La La. Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here! More on Bronwen: Instagram, Website Check out Bayou Saint Cake’s recipe for Almond Cake with Prune-Raspberry Butter here!