Radio Cherry Bombe

Today’s guest is Kiera Wright-Ruiz, author of “My (Half) Latinx Kitchen: Half Recipes, Half Stories, All Latin American.” Kiera joins host Kerry Diamond to share the journey behind her deeply personal debut cookbook, which weaves together her cultural heritage and love of food. They also dive into her bold decision to move to Tokyo during the pandemic—a move that became more than just an adventure. She opens up about life in Japan, the surprising perks (like $10 dentist appointments!), and how it compares to the U.S.Thank you to Ghirardelli Professional Products for supporting our show. For Jubilee 2025 tickets, click here. To get our new Love Issue, click here. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. More on Kiera: Instagram, “My (Half) Latinx Kitchen”More on Kerry: Instagram

Today’s guest is Sarah Thompson, executive chef at Casa Playa at Wynn Resort in Las Vegas and a newly minted James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Southwest. Before getting tapped to helm the 300-seat restaurant, Sarah got her start working at celebrated spots like Marea and Cosme in New York City. Today, she’s one of the few female executive chefs on the world-famous Strip. Sarah joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about the influence of her family, why she was drawn to fine dining, her tight-knit team, her thoughts on teaching and mentorship, and more.Thank you to Las Vegas for supporting our show. Learn more and book your trip here. For Jubilee 2025 tickets, click here. To get our new Love Issue, click here. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. More on Sarah: Instagram, Casa Playa, Wynn Las VegasMore on Kerry: Instagram

Today’s guest is Alice Cheng, the founder and CEO of Culinary Agents—the hiring platform for the hospitality industry. Think LinkedIn, but for back of house and front of house folks. Alice joins host Kerry Diamond to share insights on today’s hottest restaurant jobs, what cities are booming, and why communication skills often outweigh kitchen chops when it comes to hiring. Plus, they dive into her unconventional career journey—from studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology to working as a temp at IBM to becoming a respected entrepreneur and founder in the hospitality world. For Jubilee 2025 tickets, click here. To get our new Love Issue, click here. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. More on Alice: Instagram, Culinary Agents, websiteMore on Kerry: Instagram

Today’s guest is Elizabeth Blau, the trailblazer who helped shape Las Vegas into a world-class culinary destination and is now championing a more supportive hospitality industry for women. She talks to host Kerry Diamond about her journey from “taco girl” at a hometown watering hole to powerhouse executive. They discuss Elizabeth’s early years working with Sirio Maccioni of Le Cirque fame, her move to Las Vegas and her work with the Wynn family, the launch of her own company, Blau & Associates, and the achievements of the Women’s Hospitality Initiative, which she co-founded to help women advance in the ranks of restaurants and hospitality organizations. Thank you to Las Vegas for supporting our show. Learn more and book your trip here. For Jubilee 2025 tickets, click here. To get our Love Issue, click here. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. More on Elizabeth: Instagram, Women's Hospitality Initiative, Blau & AssociatesMore on Kerry: Instagram

Laurie Woolever is a writer and author of the highly anticipated memoir, “Care and Feeding,” which hits shelves tomorrow. Laurie’s book is a deeply personal and unflinching account of her time as an assistant to two towering figures in the food world—Mario Batali, the disgraced celebrity chef, and Anthony Bourdain, the beloved yet complex TV icon and writer. She also shares her own journey, reflecting on how she nearly lost herself in the relentless care and feeding of others.Laurie joins host Kerry Diamond and opens up about the challenges, hard truths, and personal reckoning that shaped her story. It’s an emotional and thought-provoking discussion that touches on power dynamics, toxic workplaces, and resilience. The duo talks about sensitive topics, so please listen with care.For Jubilee 2025 tickets, click here. To get our new Love Issue, click here. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. More on Laurie: Instagram, “Care and Feeding” memoirMore on Kerry: Instagram

Las Vegas is full of surprises, and today’s guest, Christina Dylag, is one of them. She’s the owner of Velveteen Rabbit, a uniquely charming bar and community hub in the city’s vibrant Arts District. Christina is also the author of “Tiny Little Boxes: How to Cope with Existential Dread by Way of Ice Cream and Other Means”—a title that’s as intriguing as the book itself.Christina joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about why she opened Velveteen Rabbit, the philosophy behind her book, and how the Arts District is fostering creativity in the food and beverage space. They also explore the spiritual side of Las Vegas, the inspiration behind her craft cocktails (and mocktails), and, of course, the beloved children’s book that gave her bar its name.Thank you to Las Vegas for supporting our show. Learn more and book your trip here. Join Cherry Bombe in Las Vegas on March 7th and 8th. For Jubilee 2025 tickets, click here. To get our new Love Issue, click here. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. More on Christina: Instagram, Velveteen Rabbit, website, “Tiny Little Boxes” bookMore on Kerry: Instagram

Camila Alves McConaughey is a true force—entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of Women of Today, where she shares recipes, wellness tips, and a passion for community. She’s also the co-founder of the Just Keep Livin’ Foundation with her husband, actor Matthew McConaughey, and together they also launched Pantalones Tequila.Camila joins host Kerry Diamond to share her inspiring journey from growing up in Brazil and moving to Los Angeles alone as a teenager before building a life and career rooted in purpose. They dive into her philanthropic efforts, the values that drive her, and her unwavering commitment to helping others. For Jubilee 2025 tickets, click here. Join Cherry Bombe in Las Vegas on March 7th and 8th. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. More on Camila: Instagram, Women of Today, Just Keep Livin' Foundation, Pantalones TequilaMore on Kerry: Instagram

Kimmie Mcintosh is the creative force behind Milkfish, a beloved pop-up bakery in Las Vegas. Last year, Kimmie was named a semifinalist for the James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker. Her surprise? Genuine. Her baked goods? Unforgettable. From her decadent Cashew Coco Jam Sticky Buns to her crowd-favorite Pandan Tres Leches Cake, Kimmie’s creations are as heartfelt as they are delicious.Kimmie joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about the supportive baking community in Las Vegas, the pivotal role her husband and business partner Josh has played in her journey, and how movements like Bakers Against Racism shaped her career. Plus, she shares why Las Vegas has become more than just a place to bake—it’s her home.Thank you to Las Vegas for supporting our show. Learn more and book your trip here. Join Cherry Bombe in Las Vegas on March 7th and 8th. For Jubilee 2025 tickets, click here. To get our new Love Issue, click here. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. More on Kimberly: Instagram, Milkfish Bakeshop, websiteMore on Kerry: Instagram

Gia Coppola is the director of “The Last Showgirl,” the poignant and beautifully crafted new film starring Pamela Anderson. Set in Las Vegas, the film explores the bittersweet end of a showgirl’s career and has been nominated for multiple awards, with Pamela’s moving portrayal of Shelly earning her Best Actress nods from both the Screen Actors Guild and the Golden Globes.Gia joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about the film, the influence of her late grandmother, Eleanor Coppola, working as a bar back at a Thomas Keller restaurant, being a cat lady, and her wine project, Gia Coppola Wines, which is part of the Francis Ford Coppola Winery. “I wanted to make a wine for my generation,” says Gia. Kerry and Gia discuss her collaboration with Coppola winemaker Ali Davignon, the creative process behind her wines, and the connection between her label and the iconic punk band, the Ramones.Thank you to Alex Mill for supporting Radio Cherry Bombe.For Jubilee 2025 tickets, click here. To get our new Love Issue, click here. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. More on Gia: Instagram, Gia Coppola Wine, “The Last Showgirl”More on Kerry: Instagram

Known around the world as the Queen of Burlesque, Dita Von Teese is currently in residence at the Venetian in Las Vegas with a revue that’s all “glamour, feathers, rhinestones, personality, and sensuality.” Her show is decidedly not about the male gaze and was created with women and the LGBTQ+ community in mind. She joins host Kerry Diamond for the first episode of our new Las Vegas miniseries to talk about her residency, showgirl history, and her mission to modernize burlesque. They also discuss her love of cooking, baking, and entertaining, and the savvy entrepreneurial skills that led her to launch a namesake lingerie line and her own French gin, Sweet Gwendoline. Thank you to Las Vegas for supporting our show. Learn more and book your trip here. Join Cherry Bombe in Las Vegas on March 7th and 8th. For Jubilee 2025 tickets, click here. To get our new Love Issue, click here. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions and show transcripts. More on Dita: Instagram, Dita at The Venetian Las Vegas, websiteMore on Kerry: Instagram