Life, Love & How To Peel Garlic With Good Story’s Lydia Keating And Hot Side’s Max Baroni

Today’s guests are Lydia Keating and Max Baroni—content creators whose worlds span storytelling, cooking, and social media. Lydia is the founder of the Good Story run club and is known for her thoughtful approach to online life and community-building. Max is a chef and author of the Hot Side Substack, where he shares approachable recipes and kitchen know-how. Lydia and Max join host Kerry Diamond to share the story of how they met (during Lydia’s not-so-successful tryout at the Michelin-starred Four Horsemen in Brooklyn). They also talk about their unconventional paths—Lydia’s journey from rowing at Yale and Hollywood comedy hopeful to marathon runner and creator, and Max’s route from sandwich shop cook to Substack and social media—plus, Lydia’s time at the legendary Ballymaloe Cookery School, and Max’s decision to bypass a formal culinary education. Thank you to Kerrygold and Peter Som’s “Family Style” cookbook for supporting our show.  This interview was recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center.  Cherry Bombe on SubstackThe Jubilee Business Owners Pass applicationOur new Mom’s the Bombe issue Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, tickets to upcoming events, and more. More on Lydia: Instagram, Good Story  More on Max: Instagram, Substack More on Kerry: Instagram, “So You Want To Open A Restaurant” Substack series

Today’s guest is JR Ryall, head pastry chef of the legendary Ballymaloe House in County Cork, Ireland. JR has been part of the Ballymaloe family since he was a teenager and has spent more than two decades helping carry forward the restaurant’s extraordinary culinary legacy. He’s also the author of the beautiful cookbook, “Ballymaloe Desserts: Iconic Recipes and Stories from Ireland.” JR joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about his favorite legendary women, including Diana Kennedy and Myrtle Allen, meeting Irish icon Darina Allen for the first time, his recent pop-up at King restaurant, the power of a poached egg, and the importance of doing things that make you–and others–happy. He also shares his thoughts on the current Irish cultural renaissance.  Click here for JR’s Chocolate Éclair recipe Listen to our past episodes with Darina Allen on Radio Cherry Bombe and JR Ryall on She’s My Cherry PieOur new Mom’s the Bombe issueThe Jubilee Business Owners Pass application Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, tickets to upcoming events, and more. More on JR: Instagram, Ballymaloe House, “Ballymaloe Desserts” cookbook More on Kerry: Instagram, “So You Want To Open A Restaurant” Substack series

Today’s guest is Sana Javeri Kadri, the founder of Diaspora Spice Co. and author of The Diaspora Spice Co. Cookbook. Sana and her team spent six years working on the book, and she joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about the care that went into collecting 85 recipes from Diaspora Co.’s farm partners over the course of a four-month tour, and translating them into home cook-friendly versions. The result is a beautiful book that pays tribute to the farmers and the spices for which Diaspora is known and loved.  They also talk about Sana getting her start as a baby gay in the Bay Area, the business lessons she’s learned along the way, and what’s made a big difference to her mental health. Click here for Sana’s Singju (Manipuri Cabbage Salad) recipe from "The Diaspora Spice Co. Cookbook" GoFundMe for There/There, the new bar in the former Friends and Family spaceCherry Bombe on SubstackThe Jubilee Business Owners Pass applicationOur new Mom’s the Bombe issue Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, tickets to upcoming events, and more. More on Sana: Instagram, Diaspora Spice Co., "The Diaspora Spice Co. Cookbook" More on Kerry: Instagram, “So You Want To Open A Restaurant” Substack series

Today’s guest is Britton Smith—Broadway actor, Tony Award winner, activist, and frontman of the band Britton & The Sting. Britton is a founding member of the Broadway Advocacy Coalition, the arts-and-activism organization that received a Special Tony Award in 2020. Onstage, he’s appeared in shows like “Shuffle Along,” “After Midnight,” and “Be More Chill.” Offstage, he’s building something entirely his own. Britton joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about growing up in Texas, moving to New York at 18, and the path that led him to a Tony Award for advocacy. They also dive into Britton’s music career and his group, Britton & The Sting, which was born after a mysterious taxi driver told him, “You need to start a band.” Britton & The Sting’s new album, “Return to Mama,” explores water as teacher, spirit, and guide. Visit here for tickets to their free World Water Day Concert on Friday, March 27th Cherry Bombe on SubstackThe Jubilee Business Owners Pass applicationOur new Mom’s the Bombe issue More on Britton: Instagram, Britton & The Sting, Broadway Advocacy Coalition More on Kerry: Instagram, “So You Want To Open A Restaurant” Substack series

Today’s guest is Padma Lakshmi—TV host, executive producer, bestselling cookbook author, and longtime friend of Cherry Bombe. Padma has a brand new show debuting Wednesday on CBS—“America’s Culinary Cup.” Not only is she the host, but she’s also the creator and executive producer of what she hopes will become America’s most prestigious culinary competition. One talented chef contestant will not only take home bragging rights, but a $1 million prize and a gleaming gold trophy. Padma joins host Kerry Diamond to discuss her return to culinary competitions after 19 seasons of “Top Chef,” the unique touches that make “America’s Culinary Cup” distinctive, how she chose judges Michael Cimarusti and Wylie Dufresne, and why you won’t see her on “Survivor” any time soon.  Click here for Padma’s Tagine-Inspired Chicken recipe from her new cookbook, “Padma’s All American.” Cherry Bombe on SubstackThe Jubilee Business Owners Pass applicationOur new Mom’s the Bombe issue Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, tickets to upcoming events, and more. More on Padma: Instagram, "America's Culinary Cup", “Padma’s All American” cookbook  More on Kerry: Instagram, “So You Want To Open A Restaurant” Substack series

Today’s guest is Ella Quittner, journalist, mom-to-be, and the author of the wildly inventive cookbook “Obsessed With the Best: 100+ Methodically Perfected Recipes Based on 20+ Head-to-Head Tests.” Ella is known for her rigorous (some might say obsessive) recipe testing and her sharp, funny writing, which has appeared everywhere from The New York Times and New York Magazine to Food52, where her “absolute best” tests first gained a cult following. Ella joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about leaving a high-powered Wall Street career for food media, why arguing about the “best” way to make something is actually a gift to curious cooks everywhere, and how her brilliant and quirky cookbook came together.  Ella also shares about writing screenplays, working in a TV writers’ room, growing up with journalist parents, her lifelong tendency toward obsession, and the joyful chaos of promoting a debut cookbook while expecting her first baby.  Ella’s Braised Tomato-Butter Cabbage recipeOur new Mom’s the Bombe issueThe Jubilee Business Owners Pass application Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, tickets to upcoming events, and more. More on Ella: Instagram, “Obsessed With The Best” cookbook More on Kerry: Instagram, “So You Want To Open A Restaurant” Substack series

Today, we’re re-airing one of our favorite Radio Cherry Bombe episodes. Ina Garten joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her memoir, “Be Ready When The Luck Happens.” Ina shares what she learned about herself while writing the memoir, why she included stories about her unhappy childhood, overcoming hardships with her husband Jeffrey, and their decision not to have children. She also talks about her “leap before you look” philosophy, how Oprah Winfrey inspired the title of the book, the early Barefoot Contessa days in the Hamptons, and why she’s “the worst kind of childless cat lady.”Pre-order our new Mom’s the Bombe issueJubilee NYC 2026 tickets hereSubscribe to our SubstackCheck out Cherry Bombe on ShopMyVisit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, tickets to upcoming events, and more.More on Ina: Instagram, website, “Be Ready When The Luck Happens” memoirMore on Kerry: Instagram, “So You Want To Open A Restaurant” essay

Today’s guest is Alyse Whitney, the author of “Big Dip Energy,” a celebration of dips for parties, dinner, dessert, and everyday life, and a host and judge on food TV shows including “Easy-Bake Battle,” “Pressure Cooker,” and “Chopped.” Alyse joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her path from entertainment journalism to food media and how her love of hosting and feeding people became the foundation for her career. They also discovered on air that they both went to the State University of New York (SUNY) at Plattsburgh (go, Cardinals!), and they reminisce about college life near the Canadian border, Montréal adventures, and, of course, poutine. Alyse shares the story behind her cookbook, what it was like working on Chrissy Teigen’s Cravings, her signature joyful style, and her approach to entertaining that’s all about fun, flavor, and not taking things too seriously.In the second half of the episode, we’re sharing Alyse’s powerful solo talk from Cherry Bombe’s first-ever Jubilee conference in Los Angeles, where she opens up about identity, perception, fatphobia, and what it means to take up space—on the page, on TV, and in real life—exactly as you are.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 Alyse: Instagram, “Big Dip Energy” cookbookMore on Kerry: Instagram, “So You Want To Open A Restaurant” essay

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