Radio Cherry Bombe

Today’s guest is Donna Lennard, the founder of il Buco and one of the defining figures of downtown New York dining. Since opening il Buco in 1994, Donna has slowly and thoughtfully built a hospitality group founded on passion, great ingredients, and welcoming vibes. The business includes il Buco Alimentari in NYC, il Buco outposts in Amagansett and Ibiza, il Buco Vita shops, and a line of il Buco pantry staples. 

She joins host Kerry Diamond to share the story of how il Buco came to be, and the personal journey that led her from a career in film to hospitality. She reflects on hiring and leadership, why doing what you love is her guiding principle, the dish that’s never leaving the menu (hello, kale salad), and the food world legend she’d want with her on a desert island.

This interview was recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center. 

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More on Donna: Instagram, il Buco, il Buco Vita

More on Kerry: Instagram, “So You Want To Open A Restaurant” Substack series

Today’s guest is Molly Irani, co-founder and chief culture officer of the award-winning Chai Pani Restaurant Group in Asheville, North Carolina, and author of the new book, “Service Ready: A Story of Love, Restaurants, and the Power of Hospitality.” Back in 2009, Molly and her husband, Meherwan, were facing an uncertain future during the financial crisis when he proposed something unexpected: opening an Indian street food restaurant. Molly was shocked, but, ever the optimist, she ultimately said yes. Her leap of faith changed everything.

Molly joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about what it really took to get Chai Pani off the ground, including writing a business plan detailed enough to win over landlords, navigating financial risk, and learning the realities of restaurant life on the fly. They also dive into Molly’s new book and the lessons she’s learned about leadership, resilience, and building a people-first business. 

This interview was recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center.

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More on Molly: Instagram, Chai Pani, "Service Ready" book

More on Kerry: Instagram, “So You Want To Open A Restaurant” Substack series

Today’s guest is Amber Guinness—cookbook author and co-founder of The Arniano Painting School. Amber grew up in the Tuscan countryside, where food was a way of life and meals were all about gathering, generosity, and instinct. 

Amber joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her latest book, “Winter in Tuscany: Cozy Recipes and the Quanto Basta Way,” and the philosophy that guides her cooking: quanto basta, or “as much as you need.” It’s a beautifully simple idea that encourages cooks to trust themselves, embrace imperfection, and focus on flavor over formulas. Amber shares stories from her childhood in rural Italy, her time working at London’s iconic River Cafe, and how she came to host intimate painting retreats at her family home, where she cooks for guests using recipes passed down through generations. 

The two also dive into Amber’s favorite dishes, from lemony meatballs and “drunk” spaghetti to cozy lentil stews and emergency pantry pasta. Plus, Amber talks about writing three books in three years, the magic of Tuscan olive oil, and why sometimes the simplest meals are the most memorable.

Click here for Amber’s Sausage, Lentil, & Chickpea Stew recipe.

This interview was recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center. 

Cherry Bombe on Substack
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Our new Mom’s the Bombe issue

Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, tickets to upcoming events, and more.

More on Amber: Instagram, The Arniano Painting School, "Winter in Tuscany" cookbook

More on Kerry: Instagram, “So You Want To Open A Restaurant” Substack series

Today’s guest is Ham El-Waylly—chef, recipe developer, restaurateur, and author of the new cookbook “Hello, Home Cooking: Doable Dishes for Every Day.” Ham is also the co-founder of the Brooklyn restaurant Strange Delight and part of an NYC culinary power couple with his wife, Sohla El-Waylly.

Ham joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about growing up in Doha, watching “Yan Can Cook” on repeat, meeting Sohla at the Culinary Institute of America, being a girl dad, and his restaurant life. He also shares the story behind some of his favorite “Hello, Home Cooking” recipes, including a nostalgic Brazilian-inspired dessert, a viral-ready date fudge, and a silky tahini-tofu dip. (Click here for the tahini-tofu dip recipe.) 

This interview was recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center. 

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 Ham: Instagram, Strange Delight, "Hello, Home Cooking" cookbook

More on Kerry: Instagram, “So You Want To Open A Restaurant” Substack series

Today’s guest is Ruthie Rogers, the legendary chef and restaurateur behind The River Cafe in London, and she joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her latest book, “Table 4 at The River Cafe.” Inspired by her popular podcast, “Ruthie’s Table 4,” the book features conversations with the likes of Nigella Lawson, Tina Fey, Greta Gerwig, Alice Waters, Tracey Emin, and dozens of other forces from the worlds of art, music, film, and food. 

Ruthie shares the story of how The River Cafe began as a humble sandwich shop and evolved into a global culinary institution, the lessons she’s learned from nearly 40 years of running a restaurant, and why curiosity and kindness matter when hiring and mentoring the next generation of cooks. She also reflects on the power of food memories, what she’s discovered after more than 200 podcast interviews, and why so many people talk about their grandmothers when discussing the meals that shaped them.

Plus, Ruthie reveals her comfort food (spoiler: it involves tomatoes, pasta, and butter), the River Cafe dishes that will never leave the menu, and the food world hero she’d want with her on a desert island.

Click here for the Rigatoni With Cavolo Nero & Olive Oil recipe from The River Cafe London.

Thank you to Peter Som’s “Family Style” cookbook for supporting our show. 

This interview was recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center. 

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 Ruthie: Instagram, The River Cafe, “Table 4 at The River Cafe” book

More on Kerry: Instagram, “So You Want To Open A Restaurant” Substack series