Radio Cherry Bombe

Today’s guest is Jenna Helwig, the food director of Real Simple, cookbook author, and creator of The Cookbookery Collective Substack. Jenna joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her debut novel, “The Foreign Correspondent’s Wife,” a murder mystery set in postwar Paris in 1949, inspired in part by Julia Child’s life in France.
They discuss Jenna’s transition from writing cookbooks to fiction, the challenges of writing a novel while balancing a full-time career and family, and why she loves a good murder mystery. Jenna also shares the story behind her popular Substack, her thoughts on the cookbook publishing industry, and her tips for building a newsletter audience. Plus, she reveals how she created National Buy a Cookbook Day, taking place November 1st, and why Dorie Greenspan is her desert island pick.
Thank you to Whole Foods, Haven Well Within, and Barilla for supporting our show.
Get $25 off  your Haven Well Within order with code CHERRYBOMBE. Valid 10/21 to 11/15.
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Today’s guest is Rasheeda Purdie, the chef and founder of Ramen by Ra, the cult-favorite breakfast ramen shop in New York City’s East Village. Rasheeda joins host Kerry Diamond for a conversation recorded live at Cherry Bombe House, where guests got to sample her inventive ramen creations, including her signature bacon, egg, and cheese ramen.
They discuss Rasheeda’s early career in fashion, from working with Betsey Johnson to styling Michelle Obama and Beyoncé, and how she pivoted to the culinary world at age 30. Rasheeda shares how a pandemic project turned into one of New York’s most buzzed-about ramen spots, the inspiration behind her breakfast-inspired bowls, and why attention to detail is at the heart of everything she does. Plus, they talk about her recent trip to Paris, learning to slow down, and what’s next for Ramen by Ra.
Thank you to Barilla, Square, and Haven Well Within for supporting our show.
Get $25 off  your Haven Well Within order with code CHERRYBOMBE. Valid 10/21 to 11/15.
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Today’s guest is Ayesha Nurdjaja, the powerhouse chef and co-owner of Shuka and Shukette, two of New York City’s most beloved restaurants. Ayesha joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her debut cookbook, “Mediterranean All The Way: Bold Flavors Built to Share,” out tomorrow.
They discuss Ayesha’s Brooklyn roots, her early dreams of music, diamonds, and cooking, and how an externship at Felidia changed the course of her life. Ayesha also talks about the food and energy behind Shuka and Shukette, why “rip and dip” is her love language, the pantry staples she swears by, and her new cooking show.
Thank you to Barilla, Whole Foods, and Wonderful Pistachios for supporting our show.
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Today’s guest is Nara Smith, the wildly popular content creator, model, mom, and now cookbook author behind her debut cookbook “Homemade.” Nara joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about bringing her signature videos to life on the page, the recipes and fashion in the book, and why “homemade” means so much more to her than just cooking from scratch.
They discuss Nara’s childhood in Germany, cooking with her grandmother, her family’s influence on her kitchen life, and how her health journey led her to make more food from scratch. Plus, Nara talks about working with food stylist Victoria Granof, creating her cookbook’s unforgettable cover, tuning out internet noise, and why Martha Stewart—or maybe Julius Roberts—is her desert island pick.
Thank you to Barilla, Whole Foods, and Ketel One for supporting our show.
Nara and Sophia Roe in conversation at Jubilee 2026
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Today’s guest is Melissa Clark, the beloved The New York Times food reporter and recipe columnist who has written an astounding 46 cookbooks. She’s also Cherry Bombe’s newest cover star! Melissa joins host Kerry Diamond live from Cherry Bombe House to talk about her next book (“The Big Book of Dinner: Recipes and Rules and How to Break Them,” out November 17th), her incredible career, why dinner is her happy place, and the gadgets she loves.
Melissa also shares stories from her early restaurant days, including her week as the opening coat check girl at Gramercy Tavern, and why Claudia Fleming is her desert island pick.
This episode of Radio Cherry Bombe was recorded at Resident in New York City.
Thank you to Whole Foods, Barilla, and Ketel One for supporting our show.
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RECIPE SNEAK PEEK: Click here for Melissa’s Classic Salt & Pepper Roast Chicken from “The Big Book of Dinner”
RECIPE SNEAK PEEK: Click here for Melissa’s Perfect Pound Cake from “The Big Book of Dinner”
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