Nyesha Arrington Of “Next Level Chef” On How To Level Up Your Life

Today’s guest is Nyesha Arrington, one of the stars and judges of Fox’s hit competition series “Next Level Chef.” Nyesha is one of the most inspiring chefs in the culinary world today—known not only for her talent and leadership, but also for her commitment to wellness, longevity, and changing the way chefs think about mental and physical health. Season 5 of “Next Level Chef” just kicked off, and if you haven’t seen the show’s iconic three-level set (yes, it’s real, not AI), you’re in for a treat.Nyesha joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about the show, past standout contestants (and Cherry Bombe pod alums) like Gabrielle “Gabi” Chappel and Reenie Karim, the practical tools she uses to keep wellness “top of mind and top of calendar,” their California farmer’s market obsessions (citrus! avocados! dates!), her award-winning LAX restaurant Native by Nyesha, and the hobby she’s fallen in love with: golf. Order The Cake IssuePre-order our Galentine’s Day IssueBombesquad Bazaar tickets hereJubilee NYC 2026 tickets hereSubscribe to our SubstackCheck out Cherry Bombe on ShopMyVisit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, tickets to upcoming events, and more.More on Nyesha: Instagram, "Next Level Chef", websiteMore on Kerry: Instagram, “So You Want To Open A Restaurant” essay

Today’s guest is Natasha Pickowicz—pastry chef, author, community builder, and one of Cherry Bombe’s most beloved cover stars. Natasha is back on the show to celebrate her brand-new cookbook, “Everyone Hot Pot: Creating the Ultimate Meal for Gathering and Feasting,” a deeply personal and joyful exploration of hot pot as food, ritual, and a way of bringing people together. Known for her iconic cakes and her debut book “More Than Cake,” Natasha’s move into savory cooking is a surprising and meaningful next chapter.Natasha joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about why hot pot felt like the right subject for her second book, how growing up with a Beijing-born mom shaped her relationship to food, and why communal meals matter more than ever right now. They discuss what hot pot actually is (and how easy it can be to do at home), the magic of interactive cooking at the table, and how hot pot adapts effortlessly to different cultures, diets, budgets, and occasions. Plus, Natasha shares what’s always in her fridge, her love of playlists and long walks, her journaling habit, her collaboration with her artist mother on the book’s illustrations, and why mistakes are essential to growth.Jubilee NYC 2026 tickets hereOrder The Cake IssueSubscribe to our SubstackCheck out Cherry Bombe on ShopMyMore on Natasha: Instagram, website, "Everyone Hot Pot" cookbookMore on Kerry: Instagram

Today’s guest is India Doris, the chef and co-owner of Markette, one of Manhattan’s most exciting new restaurants. Born and raised in West London, India has been cooking in professional kitchens since she was 15 and has built a remarkable career defined by ambition, grit, and deep respect for craft. After honing her skills in European fine dining kitchens and working closely with the late, beloved chef James Kent in New York, India is now stepping fully into her own with Markette—and its late-night cocktail bar downstairs, The Argyle.India joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her journey from knocking on alley doors for a kitchen job as a teenager to opening her first restaurant in New York City. They discuss being one of the only women in professional kitchens early in her career, learning leadership and empathy from James Kent, and why staying humble is essential, no matter how much success comes your way. India also shares how sports shaped her competitive drive, why teamwork matters more than ego, and her mantra for young cooks.Jubilee NYC 2026 tickets hereOrder The Cake IssueSubscribe to our SubstackCheck out Cherry Bombe on ShopMyMore on India: Instagram, Markette, The ArgyleMore on Kerry: Instagram

Happy New Year, Bombesquad! For our first episode of 2026, we’re kicking things off with Wishbone Kitchen’s Meredith Hayden, the cookbook author, recipe developer, and private chef who happens to be one of the biggest culinary stars around right now. Meredith is known for her intuitive approach to home cooking, her seasonal sensibility, and her thoughtful way of blending food, style, and everyday life.Meredith joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about the success of her debut cookbook and why she’s focused on work-life balance as she heads into a milestone birthday—Meredith turns 30 this month. They also discuss her meal kit collaboration with Home Chef, the story behind the name Wishbone Kitchen, her love of farmers markets, the best meal she ate in 2025 (hello, Firenze), and whether she relates more to Martha or Ina. Plus, Meredith shares what she’s streaming, what’s always in her fridge, and what she can’t wait to eat on her upcoming trip to Japan. Jubilee NYC 2026 tickets hereOrder The Cake IssueSubscribe to our SubstackCheck out Cherry Bombe on ShopMyCheck out Meredith's Home Chef collab on ShopMyMore on Meredith: Instagram, Home Chef x Wishbone Kitchen, Substack, “The Wishbone Kitchen Cookbook”More on Kerry: Instagram

For our last episode of 2025, we’re bringing you a special episode recorded live at Cherry Bombe’s Jubilee conference in Los Angeles this September. Molly Baz, the cookbook author, recipe developer, and entrepreneur, joins host Kerry Diamond on the Jubilee stage for a thoughtful and candid conversation.Molly talks about coming into her own creatively in L.A., building her food businesses from the ground up, learning when to ask for help and trust collaborators, and how she dealt with losing her home in the L.A. fires this past January.Molly and Kerry were introduced by Sara Kramer of the restaurant Kismet in L.A.Order The Cake IssueSubscribe to our SubstackJubilee NYC 2026 tickets hereCheck out Cherry Bombe on ShopMyMore on Molly: Instagram, websiteMore on Kerry: Instagram

Today’s guest is Romilly Newman, the chef, food stylist, creative host, and style icon who’s been captivating the culinary world since she was just 11 years old. A former Cherry Bombe intern, Romilly has grown into a singular creative voice, known for her impeccable taste, thoughtful hosting, and romantic approach to everyday life. Romilly joins host Kerry Diamond to discuss whether the potluck is dead, why she prefers manifestations over resolutions, why communication is essential when hosting dinner parties, and whether she’s a Martha or an Ina. Thank you to JW Marriott for supporting this episode. This episode was recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center.Jubilee NYC 2026 Scholar Application here, tickets hereOrder The Cake IssueSubscribe to our SubstackCheck out Cherry Bombe on ShopMyMore on Romilly: InstagramMore on Kerry: Instagram

Today’s guest is Carla Henriques, the international group executive pastry chef for the Hawksmoor restaurant group. Nicknamed the “Queen of Puddings” by her colleagues, Carla has helped shape Hawksmoor’s popular dessert menu, from its legendary sticky toffee pudding to seasonal British classics and inventive ice creams.Carla joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about growing up in Lisbon, how her mom’s job in a bakery influenced her own career, and how she took the bold step of moving to London to pursue a job in the culinary world. They also dive into British puddings, Portuguese pastries, sustainability, leadership, and why desserts deserve as much care and creativity as any savory course. Also, this is Carla’s very first podcast! (You crushed it, Carla.) Click here for Hawksmoor’s Sticky Toffee Pudding recipe. Order The Cake IssueSubscribe to our SubstackJubilee NYC 2026 tickets hereCheck out Cherry Bombe on ShopMyMore on Carla: Instagram, HawksmoorMore on Kerry: Instagram

Today’s guest is Teya Kepila, the storyteller behind The Turmeric Times and founder of The Ceramics Ceremony. Her approach to ceramics is deeply sensory—rooted in breath, ritual, nourishment, and a desire to make objects that support daily care. Whether she’s creating a vessel, crafting a plant-based recipe, or writing about intimacy and intuition, Teya brings an intentionality that radiates through everything she creates.Teya joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about how ceramics first found her as a teenager, her commitment to plant-based eating, how Ayurveda influences her cooking, her connection to movement and meditation, and her gratitude-driven approach to the new year. We also get into creativity, community, slowing down, and what it means to build a life that honors your energy rather than drains it.Thank you to JW Marriott for supporting our show. Order The Cake IssueSubscribe to our SubstackJubilee NYC 2026 tickets hereCheck out Cherry Bombe on ShopMyMore on Teya: Instagram, The Turmeric TimesMore on Kerry: Instagram

Today’s guest is Dan Pelosi, the beloved cook, creator, and entertaining expert known for his comforting Italian American dishes, cozy kitchen content, and vibrant community of followers. Over the past few years, Dan has become one of the most recognizable and adored figures in the world of home cooking. He’s also the bestselling author of the cookbooks “Let’s Party” and “Let’s Eat.” Dan joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about his food life, his previous life in fashion retail at places like Gap and Nike, self-care, dating, baby food as an ingredient, his NYT Cooking recipes, the HBO show “Heated Rivalry,” and what he’s up to for the holidays. He also shares why he and Ina Garten should never be trapped on a desert island with each other. Order The Cake IssueTickets for our Working Lunch event in Charleston tomorrow, Thursday, December 11th, hereSubscribe to our SubstackJubilee NYC 2026 tickets hereCheck out Cherry Bombe on ShopMyMore on Dan: Instagram, website, “Let’s Party” cookbookMore on Kerry: Instagram

Today’s guest is Roti Brown, the Los Angeles–based creative director, host, and content creator known for her cinematic tablescapes, cultural fusion recipes, and modern approach to gathering. Roti’s rise has been anything but conventional—after studying political science and briefly considering law school, she found her way into the worlds of fashion, content, and food, ultimately carving out a creative career all her own. Roti has built an unexpected path that blends cooking, storytelling, visual direction, and a deep love of community. Her journey included restaurant work, early internships in media and fashion, a major role at Jenni Kayne, and a two-year stint as creative director for Ashley Tisdale French, before ultimately deciding to bet on herself full-time.Thank you to JW Marriott for supporting our show. Order The Cake IssueTickets for our Working Lunch event in Charleston on Thursday, December 11th, hereSubscribe to our SubstackJubilee NYC 2026 tickets hereCheck out Cherry Bombe on ShopMyMore on Roti: Instagram, Flavor GardenMore on Kerry: Instagram