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.

This interview was recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center.

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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