Radio Cherry Bombe

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 Goodstory 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 Substack
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More on Lydia: Instagram, Goodstory 

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 Pie
Our new Mom’s the Bombe issue
The 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 space

Cherry Bombe on Substack
The Jubilee Business Owners Pass application
Our 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 Substack
The Jubilee Business Owners Pass application
Our 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 Substack
The Jubilee Business Owners Pass application
Our 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