Top Chef’s Kristen Kish Dishes On The New Season, Plus Von Diaz On Her “Islas” Cookbook

Best-selling author and former Gourmet Magazine editor-in-chief Ruth Reichl is our guest on today’s episode. Ruth joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her latest book, “The Paris Novel,” a tale of self-discovery set in 1983 and filled with food, fashion, and art. Ruth shares the real-life inspiration behind some of the people, places, and meals, and talks about her writing process. “I took a long time writing this because I didn’t want to let go of the characters,” she says. Ruth, who has a Substack and a podcast today, also shares her take on food media, dishes out some career advice, and discusses whether her books will ever be adapted for movies or streaming. Thank you to Kerrygold and Veuve Clicquot for supporting our show. Hosted by Kerry DiamondProduced by Catherine Baker and Elizabeth VogtEdited by Jenna SadhuContent Operations Manager Londyn CrenshawRecorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller CenterRadio Cherry Bombe is a production of The Cherry Bombe Podcast Network. Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here. More on Ruth: Instagram, Substack, Three Ingredients podcast, “The Paris Novel”More on Kerry: Instagram

Today’s guest is Nadia Caterina Munno, the glamorous Dolce & Gabbana-wearing gourmet known to millions of fans as The Pasta Queen. She’s built a following for her fashion-forward, high-energy recipe videos in which she shares the secrets to one classic Italian dish after another.In this episode, host Kerry Diamond speaks with Nadia about the “blasphemous lasagna” recipe on TikTok that inspired her to share her own videos, her love for Marcella Hazan, the grandmother who inspired her entrepreneurial journey, and why she’s a fan of Martha Stewart. They also talk about Nadia’s new line of pasta sauces, her recipes and tips for pastina, gnocchi, and pasta al sugo, and her advice for c-suite executives (Nadia was in marketing and PR before becoming The Pasta Queen). Thank you to Johnnie Walker and Walmart for supporting our show.Join the Jubilee 2024 waitlist here.Hosted by Kerry DiamondProduced by Catherine Baker and Elizabeth VogtEdited by Jenna SadhuContent Operations Manager Londyn CrenshawRecorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller CenterRadio Cherry Bombe is a production of The Cherry Bombe Podcast Network. Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here. More on Nadia: Instagram, Pasta Queen sauces, websiteMore on Kerry: Instagram

Today’s guest is Chef Karla Hoyos, a long-time volunteer for World Central Kitchen and the founder of Tacotomia in Miami. The interview took place several weeks before the tragedy in Gaza in which seven of Karla’s World Central Kitchen colleagues were killed (if you’d like to contribute to the World Central Kitchen GoFundMe for the families of those killed, visit here).Karla herself was in the region last year with the organization. Over the past several years, she has worked as part of World Central Kitchen’s disaster response teams in Bangladesh, Poland, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Spain, and beyond. At the same time, Karla was working to fulfill her dream of opening a spot in Miami that would pay homage to her Mexican upbringing. Last year, she opened Tacotomia in the Julia & Henry’s food hall and has used the opportunity to hire women and immigrants in need of work. Experience is great, she says, but not entirely necessary. Karla has three questions she asks her job candidates: “Are you a good person? Do you want to learn? Can I trust you?”Stay tuned to learn about Karla’s roots in Mexico, how she became involved with World Central Kitchen, and what Tacotomia is all about.Hosted by Kerry DiamondProduced by Catherine Baker and Elizabeth VogtEdited by Jenna SadhuContent Operations Manager Londyn CrenshawRadio Cherry Bombe is a production of The Cherry Bombe Podcast Network. Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here. More on Karla: Instagram, World Central Kitchen, TacotomiaMore on Kerry: Instagram

We’re in a Jubilee state of mind here at Cherry Bombe HQ! Jubilee 2024 is taking place on Saturday, April 20th, in NYC (join the wait list here), so we’re bringing you a taste of last year’s talent: the lively panel with the food all-stars from the Magnolia Network. Radio Cherry Bombe host Kerry Diamond moderated a discussion with Casey Corn of “Recipe Lost & Found,” Zoë François of “Zoë Bakes,” Jamila Norman of “Homegrown,” Elizabeth Poett of “Ranch To Table,” and Samantha Seneviratne of “Everyday Cooking.” Tune in and learn more about these inspiring women and their shows. Thank you to Johnnie Walker and Walmart for supporting our show.Hosted by Kerry DiamondProduced by Catherine Baker and Elizabeth VogtEdited by Jenna SadhuContent Operations Manager Londyn CrenshawRecorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller CenterRadio Cherry Bombe is a production of The Cherry Bombe Podcast Network. Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here. More on Casey: Instagram, websiteMore on Zoë: Instagram, websiteMore on Jamila: Instagram, websiteMore on Elizabeth: Instagram, website More on Samantha: Instagram, websiteMore on Kerry: Instagram

Italians take snacking seriously. In the first part of today’s show, we’re talking about “spuntini”—Italian snacks—with chef and recipe developer Anna Francese Gass, author of the new cookbook, “Italian Snacking: Sweet and Savory Recipes for Every Hour of the Day.” Learn why the book is like a trip to Italy in book form, Anna’s Italian vacation tips, and why Italian street food is not eaten on the street. Next, we’re flashing back to Jubilee 2023 with an inspiring talk from Maya-Camille Broussard of the Chicago bakery Justice of the Pies and the Netflix series “Bake Squad.” Thank you to Johnnie Walker and to Walmart for supporting our Women’s History Month spotlight. Click here to learn more about Cherry Bombe’s annual Jubilee conference, taking place Saturday, April 20th, in Manhattan. Hosted by Kerry DiamondProduced by Catherine Baker and Elizabeth VogtEdited by Jenna SadhuEditorial Assistant Londyn CrenshawRecorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller CenterRadio Cherry Bombe is a production of The Cherry Bombe Podcast Network. Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here. More on Anna: Instagram, Italian Snacking book, websiteMore on Maya-Camille: Instagram, Justice of the PiesMore on Kerry: Instagram

We have a special episode for you today featuring two all-star guests. First up is Von Diaz, an Emmy Award-winning radio producer, documentarian, and food historian. Her new narrative cookbook, “Islas: A Celebration of Tropical Cooking,” is a robust and joyous record of the flavors, techniques, and stories that make up the culinary culture of the islands spanning the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans. Von joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about the process of writing her new book, stand-out recipes to make, and more. Later in the show, Chef Kristen Kish, the new host of “Top Chef,” chats with Kerry about the beloved competition show. Season 21 kicked off last week, and Kristen, who was the winner of “Top Chef” Season 10, talks about the perspective she brings to the gig and what it’s like telling chefs to “pack their knives and go.” Thank you to OpenTable, Johnnie Walker, and to Walmart for supporting our Women’s History Month spotlight. Click here to learn more about Cherry Bombe’s annual Jubilee conference, taking place Saturday, April 20th, in Manhattan. Hosted by Kerry DiamondProduced by Catherine Baker and Elizabeth VogtEdited by Jenna SadhuEditorial Assistant Londyn CrenshawRecorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller CenterRadio Cherry Bombe is a production of The Cherry Bombe Podcast Network. Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here. More on Von: Instagram, Islas cookbook, websiteMore on Kristen: Instagram, Arlo Grey restaurant, Top ChefMore on Kerry: Instagram

Today’s guest is Chef Jess Murphy. Originally from New Zealand, Jess moved to Ireland and in 2011 opened the doors to Kai, the award-winning restaurant she runs with her husband, Dave Murphy. Because of the sustainability programs at Kai, it’s the only restaurant in Ireland to have been awarded the Michelin Green Star. Jess is also passionate about helping refugees in Ireland record their food stories, and she has been recognized for the work she does with the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Jess was in New York last week because she was this year’s featured chef at the annual Kerrygold St. Patrick’s Day luncheon. She made a beautiful meal with seasonal produce, and of course, lots of butter and cheese. Thank you to OpenTable, Johnnie Walker, and to Walmart for supporting our Women’s History Month spotlight. Hosted by Kerry DiamondProduced by Catherine Baker and Elizabeth VogtEdited by Jenna SadhuEditorial Assistant Londyn CrenshawRecorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller CenterRadio Cherry Bombe is a production of The Cherry Bombe Podcast Network. Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here. More on Jess: Instagram, The United Nations of Cookies bookMore on Kerry: Instagram

Today’s guest is Lidey Heuck, author of the brand new book “Cooking in Real Life: Delicious & Doable Recipes for Every Day.” The Pittsburgh native began her career in food working as Ina Garten’s assistant, a job she got as a college senior after cold-emailing the Barefoot Contessa. Since then, Lidey has carved out a delicious space of her own, contributing to NYT Cooking and sharing everything from recipes to ideas on home decor, entertaining, and travel on her Lidey Likes website and Instagram. Her debut book features 100 recipes for all of life’s occasions, from chill weeknights to special celebrations. Lidey joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about lessons learned from Ina; her time with another Cherry Bombe favorite, Chef Erin French of The Lost Kitchen (you might have also seen Lidey on Magnolia Network’s “The Lost Kitchen”); and why her motto is “Just go for it. What’s the worst that could happen?” Thank you to Pernod Richard and OpenTable, and to Walmart for supporting our Women’s History Month spotlight. Hosted by Kerry DiamondProduced by Catherine Baker and Elizabeth VogtEdited by Jenna SadhuEditorial Assistant Londyn CrenshawRecorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller CenterRadio Cherry Bombe is a production of The Cherry Bombe Podcast Network. Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here. More on Lidey: Instagram, website, Cooking In Real LifeMore on Kerry: Instagram

Anu Duggal, the founding partner of Female Founders Fund, is all about helping female-led companies get the funding they need and deserve, despite all the obstacles around raising money. Last month, she hosted the 2024 Female Founders Fund CEO Summit, a day of talks, panel discussions, and networking at the New York Stock Exchange that brought together more than 100 women, including the founders of Food52, Culinary Agents, and Mimi Cheng’s. Anu joins host Kerry Diamond to discuss the origin story of Female Founders Fund, and the work she and her team have done over the past decade. They also talk about the current “funding freeze” businesses are experiencing in their search for capital, and why the wealth gap is as important as the wage gap. Earlier in her career, Anu was drawn to the food world, so she shares her journey from Tabla restaurant in New York to La Varenne culinary school in Burgundy to Bombay, where she opened India’s very first wine bar. Thank you to Pernod Richard, OpenTable, and Walmart for supporting today’s episode. Hosted by Kerry DiamondProduced by Catherine Baker and Elizabeth VogtEdited by Jenna SadhuEditorial Assistant Londyn CrenshawRecorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller CenterRadio Cherry Bombe is a production of The Cherry Bombe Podcast Network. Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here. More on Anu: Instagram, Female Founders FundMore on Kerry: Instagram

Vanessa Torrivilla never envisioned a future in the food world. A UI/UX design pro, she started dating a serious foodie named Joe Ariel who missed some of his favorite local eats from his college days, and soon the idea for Goldbelly started to materialize: “I went from wanting to help my boyfriend with some free design to caring about this from a very deep place,” she says. “This” is now a powerhouse food marketplace with almost 1,000 brands represented on its platform, and Vanessa is co-founder + chief product and creative officer. She joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about the company’s start-up days, how they’ve raised more than $133 million in funding from folks including Danny Meyer, and why culinary superstars like Ina Garten, Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller, and Mashama Bailey have joined the Goldbelly family.Vanessa also shares her professional pivots, why she studied engineering in college, how her creative awakening came about, and why her mother’s advice about joy still resonates with her today.Thank you to OpenTable for supporting today’s episode. March 1st is the deadline to subscribe and get all four 2024 issues! Hosted by Kerry DiamondProduced by Catherine Baker and Jenna SadhuEdited by Jenna SadhuEditorial Assistant Londyn CrenshawRecorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller CenterRadio Cherry Bombe is a production of The Cherry Bombe Podcast Network. Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here. More on Vanessa: Instagram, GoldbellyMore on Kerry: Instagram