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Sarah Ahn and Nam Soon Ahn are the mother-daughter duo behind Umma: A Korean Mom's Kitchen Wisdom and 100 Family Recipes, a New York Times bestseller that’s as much a tribute to family as it is a guide to Korean home cooking. What began as Sarah’s Instagram project, Ahnest Kitchen, to document and share her umma’s (mother’s) recipes, has blossomed into a beloved culinary platform. 

Nam Soon Ahn, her mother, is a former restaurateur whose culinary wisdom forms the foundation of their cookbook and social media. In addition to recipes, Sarah records her experiences of living with her Korean immigrant parents. Many of Sarah’s posts have gone viral with 10+ million views. Together, they’ve taught thousands how to make everything from kimchi to comforting stews. Their platform and cookbook stand as a love letter to resilience, heritage, and the enduring power of food to connect generations.

Nam Soon Ahn, her mother, is a former restaurateur whose culinary wisdom forms the foundation of their cookbook and social media. In addition to recipes, Sarah records her experiences of living with her Korean immigrant parents. Many of Sarah’s posts have gone viral with 10+ million views. Together, they’ve taught thousands how to make everything from kimchi to comforting stews. Their platform and cookbook stand as a love letter to resilience, heritage, and the enduring power of food to connect generations.

Nyesha Arrington started as a contestant on Top Chef: Texas and has since appeared on various television shows, including as a mentor and judge on Fox's Next Level Chef, the culinary competition starring Gordon Ramsay.

 A native of Los Angeles, Nyesha grew up in a multicultural household and fell in love with food at a young age. She worked the line at her local Taco Bell as a teen then went on to culinary school and a career in fine dining. Nyesha worked in kitchens of Michelin and Mobil award-winning restaurants before opening her own restaurant, Native, in Santa Monica.

Mashama Bailey is the award-winning executive chef and co-owner of The Grey in Savannah, Georgia. She’s a classically French-trained chef who worked under Chef Gabrielle Hamilton at Prune in New York City before moving down south to open The Grey with business partner Johno Morisano.

The Grey, which is located in a former Greyhound bus terminal, opened in December 2014 to much acclaim, thanks to Mashama’s flavorful dishes that highlight local and seasonal ingredients. It’s earned a number of accolades since, including Food & Wine Restaurant of The Year, Eater’s 21 Best New Restaurants in America, Bon Appétit’s 50 Best New Restaurants in America, and TIME Magazine’s “The World’s Greatest Places.” The restaurant was a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation’s 2015 Best New Restaurant award.

In 2019, Mashama won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast, and in 2022, she won Outstanding Chef. She’s also starred in an episode of Netflix’s Chef’s Table and taught a MasterClass on Southern cooking. In 2020, she and business partner Johno Morisano released their joint memoir, Black, White, and The Grey, detailing how they opened the restaurant. Mashama is currently working on opening a new restaurant, L’Arrêt by The Grey, in Paris. 

Mashama is also on the cover of Cherry Bombe’s Power Issue! Snag the mag here.

Photo by Jennifer Livingston for Cherry Bombe Issue 30

Drew Barrymore is a well-known actress, producer, author, and talk show host. She was the child breakout star of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and throughout her decades-long career, she’s earned many accolades, including a Golden Globe Award and nine Emmy Award nominations. In 2023, she was named one of TIME’s most influential people in the world. In addition to hosting The Drew Barrymore Show, she runs Flower Films production company, the Beautiful by Drew cookware line, and Drew Magazine. 

Chef Pilar Valdes is proof that saying yes and following your passion can lead to unexpected places. As a young film student in the Philippines, Pilar never envisioned that one day she’d be a chef in New York City with her own catering company, Kickshaw Cookery. Pilar is also a culinary contributor to The Drew Barrymore Show, where she shares recipes to millions, including many honoring her Filipino culture.

In 2021, Drew and Pilar released their cookbook, Rebel Homemaker, and starred on the cover of Cherry Bombe's Cooks & Books issue.

Photo by Jennifer Livingston for Cherry Bombe Issue 17

Molly Baz is a two-time New York Times bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and founder of two CPG brands, Drink This Wine and Ayoh. With a community of over 800,000 Instagram followers and a growing presence on YouTube, her mission is to make cooking approachable, fun, and flavor-packed. Molly, a former Bon Appétit senior food editor, is more than a chef—she’s a culinary educator and innovator who inspires home cooks to embrace the joy of cooking with confidence and creativity.

Learn more about Molly in Cherry Bombe's Host with the Most issue

Photo by Jennifer Livingston for Cherry Bombe Issue 24

Mary Celeste Beall is the proprietor of East Tennessee’s Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain, two award-winning properties in the American hospitality world. Since becoming proprietor after the passing of her late husband, Sam Beall, Mary Celeste oversaw the opening of Blackberry Mountain and has pushed boundaries including leading creative direction for launching the brand’s print magazine, Blackberry Magazine. She continues to expand the Blackberry brand while maintaining its longstanding reputation for renowned hospitality and celebrated wine and food.

Dr. Danielle Beam’s journey from a working-class upbringing in New Jersey to becoming the Executive Director of the Food Education Fund (FEF) is a testament to the power of community and resilience. Raised by a single mother and the eldest of four, Danielle experienced firsthand the strength found in collective support. Her time as a basketball recruit at Ramapo College ignited a passion for equity, as she observed the disparities among her teammates’ opportunities. This led her to earn a Master’s in Teaching and a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership, focusing on transformative youth experiences to enhance social mobility.

At FEF, she channels her dedication to servant leadership, empowering NYC public high school students through culinary education and career pathways. For Danielle, food is more than sustenance—it’s a catalyst for education, justice, and lasting change.

Photo by Cliff Prescod

Ellen is a chef, TV personality, home renovator, and the founder and chief brand officer of Hedley & Bennett. At 18, her passion for cooking led her to attend culinary school in Mexico City. She returned to Los Angeles to cook professionally in some of the city’s best kitchens, including the Michelin-starred Providence, where she realized standard kitchen workwear could use a little improvement.

Starting with only $300, Ellen launched Hedley & Bennett with a single apron—a reimagined kitchen staple with professional-grade quality that was also stylish. Now, the multimillion-dollar company has grown beyond its beloved apron collection to revamp even more kitchen essentials, such as knives and shoes. In 2021, she released her book, Dream First, Details Later, and in 2024, she debuted her home-design show, Kitchen Glow Up, which will return for a second season in 2025.

2025 Winner of the Champions for Change Award, presented by North America’s 50 Best Restaurants

Asmeret Berhe-Lumax didn’t set out to become a food justice hero, but when she saw a need, she filled it, fridge by fridge. After two decades in fashion and supply chain management, Asmeret launched One Love Community Fridge (OLCF), a grassroots mutual aid movement tackling food insecurity head-on. Since 2020, OLCF has rescued over seven million pounds of food and served up nearly a million meals in 2024 alone—all powered by community, collaboration, and care.

Asmeret’s journey—from her East African roots and upbringing in Sweden to a successful career in finance and fashion (including co-founding Blush)—fuels her commitment to social justice. Recognized as a UN Women Champion of Change, Asmeret is also a devoted mother and accomplished endurance athlete, passionately driving positive change in her Brooklyn community and beyond.

In July 2025, Asmeret was the recipient of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants’ inaugural Champions for Change Award. This award recognizes and celebrates unsung heroes of the hospitality sector who are driving positive action in their communities and creating blueprints for a more inclusive society.

As the Champions of Change Award winner, Asmeret will receive a financial donation from the 50 Best organization, enabling One Love to continue their work and contribute to long-term progress in the food space. 

“I am deeply honored and incredibly grateful for this recognition and grant. This support not only amplifies the reach and impact but will also serve as a powerful inspiration for others to join in and contribute. This award is a testament to what’s possible when a community comes together. One Love Community Fridge embodies the power of food to nourish, to unite us, and to promote health, healing and collective care rooted in dignity. Small, consistent actions can lead to big, meaningful change,” Asmeret said. 

To support her work, visit onelovecommunityfridge.org. 

Elizabeth Blau is a trailblazer who helped shape Las Vegas into a world-class culinary destination. Elizabeth got her start working with Sirio Maccioni of Le Cirque in New York City. She has served as Executive Vice President of Restaurant Development and Marketing for Wynn Las Vegas.

In 2002 she launched her own company, Blau + Associates, which has become a leading force in restaurant development and consulting. A passionate advocate for women in hospitality, Elizabeth co-founded the Women’s Hospitality Initiative in 2020. WHI aims to advance women in the restaurant and hospitality industries, providing mentorship and leadership opportunities.

Photo by Susan Bowlus

Marcy Blum is one of the most sought-after event planners in the world, having organized weddings and events for LeBron James, Nate Berkus, and Katie Lee. But before she reached the pinnacle of party planning, Marcy had quite the journey, with stops at Performing Arts High School, a commune in Vermont, Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, the emerging New York City food scene in the 1970s, and more. Marcy was among the first female students admitted to the Culinary Institute of America, and she even worked with the legendary Edna Lewis at Brooklyn’s Gage & Tollner. 

Marcy has been featured in countless publications and named the top planner in the world by Vogue and Harpers Bazaar.

Photo by Genevieve de Manio

Jeni Britton is an entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author. She founded Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in an Ohio farmers’ market in 2002, transforming it from a small shop into a beloved national brand. Jeni’s is a Certified B Corporation known for its social, environmental, and business leadership, with over 80 scoop shops and distribution in grocery stores across the U.S. Underscoring her commitment to sustainability, Jeni’s latest venture, Floura, reinvents fresh produce trimmings as delicious nutrient-dense food with the intent to divert 100 million pounds of upcycled produce from the commercial food waste crisis while helping to close the dietary fiber gap in America. Jeni is a 2017 Henry Crown Fellow through the Aspen Institute, a champion of American entrepreneurship dedicated to creating ventures that benefit both people and the planet.

Learn more about Jeni in Cherry Bombe’s Creative Class issue

Photo by Jennifer Livingston for Cherry Bombe Issue 27

Maya-Camille Broussard is the owner of Justice of the Pies in Chicago, Illinois, and the author of the Justice of the Pies baking book. Maya-Camille Broussard started Justice of the Pies in honor of her late father, Stephen J. Broussard, a criminal defense attorney. She is committed to honor his belief that everyone deserves an opportunity to reform their lives. 

In 2020, Maya-Camille founded The Broussard Justice Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that focuses on food-related and health-related issues. It works to eradicate food insecurity and decrease health disparity issues in underserved communities. In 2022, she was a finalist for the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Baker. She also stars on Bake Squad, the Christina Tosi-hosted Netflix show.

Lindsey Brown graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in public relations. She began her career at Vollmer Public Relations, working in both the Dallas and Houston offices, before continuing on to serve as a Special Projects Coordinator for the Houston Ballet Academy. A classically trained ballerina through age 18, Lindsey later co-founded Ballet Barre, the Houston Ballet’s young professionals group. She continues to support the organization as a member of the Board of Trustees.

Lindsey spent a decade as Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, where she helped shape Houston’s reputation as a national tourism and culinary destination. During her tenure, she launched the Where the Chefs Eat Houston Culinary Tours program, which earned the Public Relations Society of America’s Silver Anvil Award in 2011.

Lindsey co-founded Southern Smoke Foundation (SSF) in 2015 with her husband, James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd. Under her leadership as executive director, SSF has provided over $12.3 million to food and beverage workers in need and has offered more than 5,100 no-cost counseling sessions to restaurant workers struggling with mental health. In 2023, she joined Southern Smoke Foundation full-time as Executive Director.

Photo by Julie Soefer

Katie Button is the renowned Asheville chef and co-founder of Cúrate restaurant. Before becoming a chef, Katie studied engineering at Cornell and then got her master’s degree in biomedical engineering, in Paris which ignited her love of food. Since making the pivot, she has developed multiple businesses around her flagship restaurant, Cúrate, including a wine club, a travel series as well as two more restaurants, La Bodega by Cúrate and Cúrate Bar de Tapas, which won the James Beard Foundation Outstanding Hospitality award in 2022.  

Katie also published her debut cookbook, Cúrate: Authentic Spanish Food from an American Kitchen, in 2016 and has a TV show, From the Source, on theMagnolia Network. After Hurricane Helene devastated the Asheville region in 2024, Katie became an advocate for local businesses.

Interior designer, cookbook author, and entertaining expert, Athena Calderone has built a career on her boundless quest for beauty, whether she’s styling a table, crafting a recipe, or designing a space. Athena is internationally recognized for her style and has collaborated with brands like Crate & Barrel. 

Athena is the founder and principal designer of Studio Athena Calderone, a multidisciplinary design studio based in New York. She is also the founder of lifestyle platform EyeSwoon and the author of two best-selling books—Live Beautiful, which focuses on interior design, and Cook Beautiful, a James Beard Award winner.

Photo by Stephanie Stanley

Marissa Caputo is the founder and CEO of AIRE, a management company that represents a global roster of esteemed chefs, design visionaries, wellness leaders, and sustainability advocates. Prior to AIRE, Marissa held positions at The Wall Group, IMG Models, and United Talent Agency. 

Marissa graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. Marissa founded AIRE with the mission to leave the world a little better. This acts as their guiding principle when deciding the talent they represent and their strategy.

Sue Chan is a restaurant industry veteran and the founder of media agency Care of Chan. After studying sociology at Barnard, Sue worked in public relations and marketing for Food Bank For New York City. Following her passion for food, she worked as Brand Director of Momofuku and oversaw the brand’s PR and marketing efforts in 10 establishments over three cities. In 2016, Sue founded Care of Chan where she focuses on production, programming, and partnerships in the food industry with an emphasis on building community.

Photo by Matthew Glueckert

Joanne Chang is an award-winning pastry chef, founder of the Flour Bakeries & Cafes in Boston and Cambridge, and cookbook author. Before Joanne was known for her sticky buns, she graduated from Harvard College with a degree in Applied Mathematics and Economics.  Since opening her bakeries, she has won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Baker in 2016 and released five cookbooks, including Flour: Spectacular Recipes from Boston's Flour Bakery + Cafe. In 2007, Joanne opened Myers + Chang, an Asian restaurant, with her husband, Christopher Myers.

Chef Valerie Chang Cumpa grew up in Chiclayo, Peru, and moved to the U.S. when she was 10. She comes from a family of chefs and in 2018, she opened Itamae in Miami with her brother, Nando, and their father, Fernando. The restaurant features Nikkei cuisine, a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian flavors. Valerie received praise as one of the city’s top young chefs, including two James Beard semifinalist nominations for Rising Star Chef.

In March 2023, Valerie opened Maty’s, named after her grandmother. The menu is a modern take on the traditional Peruvian food of her upbringing. In 2024, she won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: South. She also serves as a member of The James Beard Foundation’s Policy Advocacy Program: Chef Boot Camp for Policy and Change.

Caroline Chambers is the creator of the popular Substack What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking and is the author of the New York Times bestselling cookbook of the same name.

She grew up in the kitchen on her mom’s hip, learning how to cook in their North Carolina home. Her professional food career began in her early 20s when she worked as a chef and caterer. After a stint in a professional test kitchen, Caro struck out on her own as a freelancer, developing recipes for a host of publications as well as brands, and in 2018, she published her first cookbook, Just Married.

In 2020, at the height of the Covid, Caro began sharing her recipes and connecting with home cooks on Instagram, and launched her newsletter, What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking, which flew to the top of the Substack charts. Her podcast, So Into That, followed in 2023.

Caro lives in Carmel Valley, California, with her husband, George, and their three young sons, Mattis, Calum, and Cashel (and one more on the way). 

Caroline is featured in Cherry Bombe’s Power Issue! Snag the mag here.

Lena Ciardullo is the first female executive chef in the 40-year history of Union Square Cafe, the flagship restaurant of Union Square Hospitality Group.Lena has worked for USHG since graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 2009.

Photo by Peter Garritano

Melissa Clark is a food reporter and columnist for The New York Times and NYT Cooking, for which she creates recipes, hosts videos, and is one of the writers of the Cooking newsletter. Melissa also writes a weekly column called A Good Appetite. She’s also written 45 cookbooks, including the award-winning Dinner, Changing the Game and her latest, Dinner in One.

Liza Colón-Zayas is one of the breakout stars of The Bear, the dramatic and sometimes-comical FX series that captured the hearts of millions for its tale of a young chef and his crew, and the harsh realities of operating a restaurant. As Tina Marrero, the tough-yet-tender line cook, Liza has delivered a powerful performance in every episode for three seasons and counting. In 2024, her role on The Bear won her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, making her the first Latina woman to receive the award. 

A veteran of the stage and screen, Liza has been a steady force in the acting world for decades. She’s a founding member of New York City’s LAByrinth Theater Company, a Latino-centered acting group, and her powerful one-woman show, Sistah Supreme, which she wrote, produced, and starred in, was her first big break. From there, Liza’s work expanded into film and TV, including roles in Sex and the City, Law & Order: SVU, and IF. Apart from The Bear’s fourth season, streaming this June on Hulu, you can find Liza in the upcoming Spider-Man movie, out 2026.

Liza is a dynamic storyteller who has carved out a career rooted in authenticity, dignity, and emotional depth. The quiet strength and transformation she brings to Tina in The Bear is unmatched, so we’re thrilled to give Liza our Superstar Award.

Photo by Chuck Hodes/FX

Katina Connaughton is the head farmer and co-owner of SingleThread Farm-Restaurant-Inn, in California’s wine country. Katina leads farming for SingleThread Farm’s 24-acre property, greenhouses, heirloom orchards, bee hives, and livestock, as well as the foraging program and floral department. Katina began farming while living in a rural agricultural community in Hokkaido, Japan. Alongside her husband and culinary partner, Chef Kyle Connaughton, the couple has turned their farm into a three-Michelin-star destination.

Dominique Crenn is the chef and owner of the three Michelin-starred restaurant Atelier Crenn in San Francisco, where artistry is at the forefront, cuisine is a craft, and the community is an inspiration. “Atelier” can be defined as a workshop or studio, a concept that drives Chef Dominique’s modern vision for fine French cuisine. Her highly distinctive French heritage and imaginative gastronomic lair behind the stove at Atelier Crenn is a clear reflection of her unique life story.

In 2018, Dominique became the first woman in the U.S. to be awarded three Michelin stars. In 2024, she was named one of TIME’s most influential people, and in early 2025, she opened Cafe Dior by Dominique Crenn in Dallas. Dominique has also written two books, Atelier Crenn: Metamorphosis of Taste and Rebel Chef: In Search of What Matters.

Learn more about Dominique in Cherry Bombe’s Paris Issue

Photo by Jennifer Livingston for Cherry Bombe Issue 26

Laura Cunningham is the visionary co-founder and chief creative officer of the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group, where for over 30 years she’s been redefining hospitality and setting the gold standard for service in America. A trailblazer behind the scenes, Laura has helped shape the DNA of some of the most iconic dining experiences—from The French Laundry to Bouchon Bakery—bringing elegance, intention, and warmth to every touchpoint.

Photo by Andrew Southam

Samah Dada started as a home cook with an enthusiasm for plant-based recipes that pull from her Indian heritage. Samah grew her Instagram account to over 474K followers and became a food correspondent with the Today Show. She also has her own show on Peacock called #HOWTOEATPLANTS. Samah released her debut cookbook, Dada Eats: Love to Cook It, in 2021. In addition to cooking, Samah is a columnist for Cultured magazine and a member of the Associate Board of Edible Schoolyard NYC, an organization that seeks to provide edible education for kids.

With her signature smile and effortless style, Giada De Laurentiis has become one of the most beloved names in modern food media. An Emmy-winning television personality, Giada invited us into her world through shows like Everyday Italian and Giada at Home, redefining what it means to cook with heart, heritage, and a little bit of glam.

Beyond the screen, she’s a powerhouse entrepreneur and bestselling author with nine New York Times bestsellers. She has restaurants in Las Vegas and Scottsdale, and in 2017, she launched Giadzy, a lifestyle and e-commerce platform that brings her signature California-meets-Italy aesthetic to your kitchen with recipes, travel tips, videos, and curated pantry staples.

Anu Duggal is rewriting the rules of venture capital and putting women at the center of the story. As the founding partner of Female Founders Fund, she launched the first early-stage fund in 2014 built exclusively to back women-led startups. Since then, Anu has helped shake up the male-dominated VC world, not just by investing in female founders, but by proving their power and potential. She’s been named to Fortune’s “40 Under 40” and Business Insider’s “Ultimate List of Female Startup Investors.

Sohla El-Waylly is a chef, cookbook author, and a video host. A TIME100 Next honoree, Sohla has made her mark on the food world through her sharp point of view, whether she’s exploring centuries-old cooking techniques on Ancient Recipes with Sohla or championing overlooked ingredients in The New York Times and Bon Appétit.

A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Sohla trained at top New York City restaurants like Del Posto, Atera, and Battersby before becoming a digital star and trusted voice in the food media space. She was a judge on HBO Max’s The Big Brunch with Dan Levy. Behind the scenes, she’s passionate about equity and representation, using her platform to call out industry inequities and advocate for better.

In 2023, she released her much-anticipated debut cookbook, Start Here. Sohla continues to inspire home cooks and professional chefs alike to think bigger and bolder in the kitchen. 

Learn more about Sohla in Cherry Bombe’s The Future of Food Issue.

Emily Fleischaker, deputy editor, has been at The Times since 2018, and has led strategy efforts of NYT Cooking and the video/social team. 

Vicki Freeman is the force behind some of New York City’s most beloved neighborhood restaurants. As co-founder of the Bowery Group, she’s spent the last 18+ years pioneering the city’s seasonal, sustainable dining scene with standout spots like Cookshop, Vic’s, Rosie’s, Shuka, and Shukette. 

In 2022, Vicki and the Bowery Group were honored with a James Beard Award nomination for Outstanding Restaurateur—a nod to their commitment to thoughtful sourcing, local partnerships, and creating community through food.

Erin French is a self-taught chef, author, and founder of The Lost Kitchen, the beloved restaurant tucked away in her hometown of Freedom, Maine. After reopening the restaurant in 2017, Erin quickly turned it into a culinary destination and it was named one of TIME’s World’s Greatest Places.

Erin is also a two-time cookbook author and the author behind the New York Times bestselling memoir Finding Freedom, which details her journey through her past struggles and the path to opening The Lost Kitchen. 

She also stars on the show The Lost Kitchen on Magnolia Network, which showcases how she built a one-of-a-kind dining experience rooted in storytelling, seasonality, and second chances.

Learn more about Erin in Cherry Bombe’s Heart & Hospitality issue

Photo by Jennifer Livingston

Joanna Gaines is an interior designer, entrepreneur, TV personality, author, and the co-founder of Magnolia, which includes a TV network, books and cookbooks, a magazine, restaurants, shops, and a hotel. Joanna went from working for 10 years in her father’s tire shop after college to becoming one of the most influential women in design, media, and food. She co-hosted HGTV’s Fixer Upper with her husband, Chip Gaines, from 2013–2017. She’s also a New York Times bestselling author, with nine books under her belt, including two memoirs and three cookbooks.

Photo courtesy of Magnolia Network

Jing Gao is the founder and CEO of Fly By Jing, a premium Chinese food company bringing thoughtfully crafted pantry staples. Since launching the brand in 2018, Jing has changed the condiment game and made her Sichuan Chili Crisp a staple in most American households. She is also the founder of award-winning modern-Chinese fast casual restaurant Baoism in Shanghai and is the co-founder of grab-and-go cafe Suá in Los Angeles.

Her debut cookbook, The Book of Sichuan Chili Crisp: Spicy Recipes and Stories from Fly By Jing’s Kitchen, was released in 2023 andwon the 2024 James Beard Award for Visuals.

Ina Garten is one of the most beloved figures in the food world, and for good reason. She’s the star of Barefoot Contessa, the long-running Food Network show that’s taught so many of us how to cook and how to host a dinner party. She’s also a 13-time cookbook author whose approachable yet elevated recipes have earned her a permanent spot on kitchen counters everywhere. Her long-awaited memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens, was an instant New York Times bestseller and gave fans a heartfelt look at her extraordinary life. (Give it a read if you need inspiration, motivation, business advice, and/or a good laugh!)

Before she became a national treasure, Ina left a job in nuclear energy policy at the White House (yes, really) to run a specialty food store called The Barefoot Contessa in the Hamptons. She didn’t know this career move would launch her into culinary superstardom. Known for her carefree attitude, reassuring reminders that “store-bought is fine,” and favorite Talbots shirts, Ina’s ethos is to always make people feel welcome, well-fed, and wonderfully at ease.

For our first-ever Power Awards, we’re honoring Ina with the Icon Award. This beloved tastemaker and role model has shaped the way we cook, eat, gather, and entertain, and the food world wouldn’t be the same without her.

Explore more of Ina’s world in the special We Love Ina issue of Cherry Bombe Magazine.

Photo by Rob Marshall & John DeLuca, courtesy of Crown

Marissa Gencarelli is the co-founder of Yoli Tortilleria, the Kansas City-based tortilleria putting stone-ground corn and authentic Mexican tradition front and center. Born and raised in Sonora, México, Marissa launched Yoli out of a longing for the fresh, flavorful tortillas of her childhood. Today, Yoli honors the regional diversity of Mexican cuisine while celebrating its Midwestern roots—sourcing seasonal, local ingredients to craft products with both heritage and heart. In 2023, Yoli was recognized with a James Beard Award for Outstanding Bakery, making it the first tortilleria in the U.S. to receive the honor.

As one half of the celebrated photography duo Gentl and Hyers, Andrea has helped define the visual language of modern food culture, collaborating with some of the most iconic voices in the culinary space.

In 2022, she stepped into the spotlight with Cooking with Mushrooms, her debut cookbook that’s part recipe collection, part love letter to fungi in all their mysterious, meaty glory. Earthy, elegant, and unexpected—just like her work—Andrea’s point of view invites us to slow down, look closer, and savor the beauty in the everyday.

Suzanne Goin 

Suzanne Goin was born in Los Angeles to food-obsessed Francophile parents. A graduate of Brown University, Suzanne’s background includes positions at some of the most acclaimed restaurants in the U.S., including Ma Maison, L’Orangerie in Los Angeles, Al Forno in Providence, Olives in Boston, and Chez Panisse in Berkeley. She also worked at Alain Passard’s Arpège in Paris. In 1998, Suzanne opened Lucques in West Hollywood with her business partner, Caroline Styne. The restaurant met with instant success and Suzanne was named one of Food and Wine magazine’s “Best New Chefs” in 1999.

Caroline Styne

Raised in Los Angeles and educated in Santa Barbara, Caroline Styne planned a career as a professional in the art world but the restaurant business called to her. In 1994, she teamed with celebrated restaurateur Sean MacPherson at Jones in Hollywood. While there, she was introduced to Suzanne Goin. After meeting chef Suzanne Goin at Jones in Hollywood, the two launched the beloved Lucques in 1998—and the rest is dining history. As wine director and sommelier, Caroline brought her signature taste and hospitality savvy to every table.

As co-owners of The Lucques Group, the duo have built some of L.A.’s most celebrated spots, including A.O.C., Caldo Verde, and Cara Cara. Alongside David Lentz, they co-founded L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade, raising over $11 million for childhood cancer research. Suzanne and Caroline are founding members in the Independent Restaurant Coalition whose work was instrumental in achieving over $28.6 billion in government grant programs for restaurants and bars throughout the United States.

Bertha González Nieves is the co-founder and CEO of Casa Dragones and a true pioneer in the world of spirits. Dubbed “The First Lady of Tequila” by the Los Angeles Times, she holds the rare title of Maestra Tequilera—making her the first woman to be certified by the Academia Mexicana de Catadores de Tequila. 

Before launching her ultra-premium tequila brand, Bertha spent a decade as a top executive at Jose Cuervo International, where she helped reshape the global tequila landscape. Named one of Food & Wine and Fortune’s Most Innovative Women in Food & Drink, and recognized by Forbesas one of Mexico’s most powerful women, Bertha continues to elevate the category with elegance, authenticity, and vision.

Dorie Greenspan has become one of the most beloved figures in the baking world. She is a five-time James Beard Award winner and author of more than a dozen cookbooks—including one co-authored with Julia Child, Baking with Julia: Savor the Joys of Baking with America’s Best Bakers. Her legendary World Peace Cookies, rich with cocoa and a touch of sea salt, have become a symbol of the sweet, unifying power of dessert. Her latest book, Dorie’s Anytime Cakes, will be out this fall. 

Learn more about Dorie in Cherry Bombe’s The Fashion Plate Issue

Photo by Jennifer Livingston for Cherry Bombe Issue 14

Eden Grinshpan is a cook, TV host, and cookbook author. Known for her creative recipes, raw sincerity, and goofiness, Eden is the creator of @edeneats where she shares recipes and candid moments of her life, family, and kitchen antics. Eden earned her culinary degree at Le Cordon Bleu in London. Her first culinary show was Eden Eats on the Cooking Channel, which she conceptualized, produced, and hosted. She’s been the host of Top Chef Canada since 2017.

Eden’s debut cookbook, Eating Out Loud, was released in 2020, and her follow-up, Tahini Baby, was released this spring.

Dr. Jessica is a revered professor, prolific author, and surprise streaming star. You might have spotted her on Netflix’s High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America, based on her groundbreaking book of the same name. A culinary historian and cultural force, Dr. Jessica has spent decades documenting the African diaspora’s rich food traditions, helping to shape how we understand American cuisine today. She taught at Queens College for 50 years and received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the James Beard Foundation in 2020. In 2021, she was named one of TIME’s 100 most influential people. Dr. Jessica has authored 15 books, including her memoir, My Soul Looks Back, and The Africa Cookbook. Her newest cookbook, Braided Heritage, is out this June. 

Learn more about Dr. Jessica in Cherry Bombe’s Icons Issue

Photo by Jennifer Livingston for Cherry Bombe Issue 25

Meredith Hayden is the creator of Wishbone Kitchen, the wildly popular social media account turned lifestyle brand. A former private chef in the Hamptons, Meredith rose to online fame with her recipe videos. In 2025, she released her debut cookbook, The Wishbone Kitchen Cookbook. Meredith has built her brand on the modernized, brightened-up versions of classic dishes that she cooks for family, friends, and clients.

Photo by Emma Fishman

Janet Hayes is the CEO of Crate & Barrel Holdings, where she’s reimagining modern retail with a focus on digital innovation, personal purpose, and customer connection. A seasoned retail leader with over 30 years in the game, Janet stepped into the role in 2020 and has since guided the brand through a transformative era. She is known for her inclusive leadership, people-first mindset, and deep belief in building brands that reflect the lives and values of their customers.

Sarela Herrada is the co-founder of SIMPLi, the leading maker of regenerative organic pantry staples. Raised in Lima, Peru, within farming communities, Sarela has long been passionate about building resilient, sustainable food systems. At SIMPLi, she’s reshaping the future of food sourcing with a focus on transparency, equity, and regeneration. Sarela sits on the board of the Regenerative Organic Alliance, is an MBA candidate at Wharton, and was honored on Inc.’s Female Founders 250 and EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year list in 2024.

A former sex crimes prosecutor, Martha Hoover had excellent, if unorthodox, training for the restaurant business. The six-time James Beard Foundation semi-finalist founded Won’t Stop Hospitality, Inc. in 1989, opening with its first concept, Café Patachou in Indianapolis. It broke the mold as one of the first restaurants in the hospitality industry to use premium ingredients and prepare food from scratch, driven by a mission to partner with local vendors and farmers. Today, Won’t Stop Hospitality, Inc. features four other concepts in addition to Café Patachou (which now has seven locations with more on the way): Petite Chou Bistro, Public Greens, Bar One Fourteen, and Napolese Pizzeria. 

The restaurants reflect Martha’s lifelong passion for food and joie de vivre. A pioneer in the farm-to-table movement, Martha’s restaurants now support over 30 local farms and purveyors, and serve hundreds of people a day. In 2013, Martha created The Patachou Foundation to feed healthy meals to food insecure children in Indianapolis.

Born in Veracruz, Mexico, Chef Karla Hoyos honed her skills in Europe before making her mark in the U.S., including a pivotal role as chef de cuisine at The Bazaar by José Andrés. Her journey took a transformative turn when she joined World Central Kitchen, cooking in disaster zones from Puerto Rico to Ukraine, preparing tens of thousands of meals daily for those in need.

In 2023, Karla channeled her passion into Tacotomía, her Miami-based taqueria that pays homage to her roots with authentic Mexican flavors. Beyond serving delicious tacos, Tacotomía stands as a beacon of empowerment, employing immigrant women and prioritizing character and eagerness to learn over formal experience. Karla’s commitment to community, both locally and globally, exemplifies the profound impact of food when crafted with purpose and love.

Becky Hughes is at the forefront of how NYT Cooking shows up on our screens, especially in the ever-evolving world of short-form video. Since joining the team in 2019, Becky has played a major role in giving NYT Cooking its off-platform personality—growing its Instagram following to over four million and spearheading the launch of its TikTok presence.

Zaynab Issa is a cookbook author, recipe developer, and content creator based in Brooklyn. After publishing a zine that formalized her family’s Khoja recipes, she worked as a food editor at Bon Appétit, contributing culturally rooted recipes and stories to their archive. She is now a contributor at New York Times Cooking and has developed recipes for King Arthur Baking, The Kitchn, and Food52. She released her debut cookbook, Third Culture Cooking: Classic Recipes for a New Generation, in April 2024. The book shares her take on the East African-Indian dishes and flavors she grew up with.

Photo by Graydon Herriott

Victoria James is a trailblazing sommelier, author, and hospitality leader changing the way we think about wine. At just 21, she became the youngest sommelier at a Michelin-starred restaurant in the U.S., and she’s been shaking up the beverage world ever since.

Today, she serves as the Executive Director of Beverage & Partnerships at COTE Korean Steakhouse (with locations in New York City, Miami, Singapore, and soon-to-be Las Vegas) and COQODAQ in New York City. Victoria is also the author of Drink Pink: A Celebration of Rosé and Wine Girl: The Obstacles, Humiliations, and Triumphs of America's Youngest Sommelier, her highly praised 2020 memoir.

Beyond the cellar, Victoria is a passionate advocate for equity in hospitality and for working moms in the industry. She’s the co-founder of Wine Empowered, a nonprofit that offers free wine education to women and minorities in the hospitality industry. 

With her deep knowledge, bold leadership skills, and unwavering passion, Victoria makes the food and beverage world a more vibrant and inclusive place. Despite the often harrowing obstacles she’s overcome, as detailed in her memoir, Victoria has forged an incredible career for herself and become one of the industry’s most respected figures, which is why she’s receiving our first-ever Trailblazer Award.

Sana is the founder and CEO of Diaspora Co., a spice company disrupting the 500-year-old industry one jar at a time. Since 2017, fans can’t get enough of Diaspora Co.’s sustainably sourced saffron, single-origin turmeric, heirloom peppercorns, and more. Sana launched the brand with a tax refund and a mission to build a more equitable spice trade rooted in culture, community, and flavor. Since then, Diaspora Co. has blossomed into a multimillion-dollar company all without outside investment. Sana is building a new kind of spice company, one that celebrates South Asian farmers, champions transparency, and puts quality above all else. From beautifully designed packaging to deeply researched sourcing, everything Diaspora does is infused with care.

Photo by Jennifer Livingston for Cherry Bombe Issue 19

Gabriella Khalil is reshaping the world of boutique hospitality with an eye for design, a deep love of culture, and a talent for bringing people together. As the founder and creative director of Palm Heights in Grand Cayman, she’s turned the 52-suite beachside hotel into a global destination for artists, chefs, and tastemakers. The property is known as much for its dreamy interiors and vintage charm as it is for its residency programs, which have hosted everyone from ballet dancers to cookbook authors.

Her vision extends far beyond the Caribbean. Through her company, Happier People, Gabriella is developing bold, multifaceted spaces—from a cultural venue in Bushwick to the WSA building in Manhattan’s Financial District. She’s also the mind behind Happier Grocery, a plant-forward market in New York City. Wherever she goes, Gabriella is building worlds that prioritize beauty, intention, and community.

Melissa King is known for her bold, flavor-packed dishes that celebrate modern California cuisine through an Asian lens, and for carving out a culinary lane all her own. A proud queer Chinese-American chef, Melissa brings as much heart to her activism as she does to her cooking. In addition to being a Top Chef: Boston finalist and the winner of Top Chef: All-Stars LA, Melissa has also been named one of San Francisco’s best female chefs and a “40 Under 40” rising star. 

Melissa is also a dedicated advocate for the AAPI and LGBTQ+ communities. She’s partnered with organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and the Tegan and Sara Foundation, and has even walked the runway for Levi’s in a global Pride campaign. Whether in the kitchen or out in the world, Melissa is always cooking up change.

Her debut cookbook, Cook Like a King, is out this fall. 

Learn more about Melissa in Cherry Bombe’s 10th Anniversary Issue

Photo by Jennifer Livingston for Cherry Bombe Issue 21

Kristen Kish was born in South Korea and raised in Michigan. Kristen found her calling in the kitchen after attending Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago. She then went on to be chef de cuisine at Boston’s Menton and won Season 10 of Top Chef. In 2023, she stepped into the spotlight as the new host of Top Chef, bringing a calm, intentional energy to the role. This year, she’s hosting her second season, now set in Canada, and has earned an Emmy nomination along the way. 

Kristen recently released her memoir, Accidentally on Purpose, which explores her adoption, identity, and the nonlinear path to self-acceptance. She’s also expanding her culinary footprint: her Austin restaurant, Arlo Grey, continues to thrive, and she’s opening her first New York City concept inside the Ned Nomad Hotel. Kristen is a chef-in-residence at Escoffier and the host of Restaurants at the End of the World on National Geographic.

Photo by Silver Chang

Genevieve Ko is an editor and columnist for the Food section and NYT Cooking, for which she also develops recipes. She is the author of Better Baking and has contributed to over 20 cookbooks, as well as other food magazines and media companies.

Yewande Komolafe is a Nigerian food writer, author, and food stylist. She joined The New York Times as a cooking editor in February 2021. Her debut cookbook, My Everyday Lagos: Nigerian Cooking at Home and in the Diaspora, was released in 2023.

Priya Krishna covers stories ranging from unpacking the cultural baggage of the supermarket “ethnic aisle” or exploring how TikTok is rewriting the American cookbook. Currently, Priya is an interim restaurant critic for The New York Times. She is also a bestselling cookbook author of Indian-ish and Priya’s Kitchen Adventures. She is the host of the NYT series “On the Job,” and is a relentless advocate for telling overlooked food stories.

Lakshmee Lachhman-Persad is on a mission to make the magic of New York City—its food, culture, and iconic experiences—accessible to everyone. Inspired by her sister Annie, who was born with cerebral palsy, Lakshmee saw firsthand how difficult it was to navigate the city’s offerings with accessibility in mind. In 2018, she launched Accessible Travel NYC, a consultancy and digital resource that helps people with disabilities explore the city with confidence and joy.

Photo by Shanita Sims

Padma Lakshmi is a culinary powerhouse, cultural storyteller, and advocate for change. The Emmy-nominated producer and TV personality became a household name when she was host of Top Chef, the beloved cooking competition show, for 19 seasons. In 2021, she created and hosted a new series, Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi, on Hulu, which won two Critics Choice Awards and a James Beard Award. In the show, Padma explores the rich tapestry of American food through the lens of immigrant communities, helping redefine what “American” cuisine actually means.

A New York Times bestselling author, Padma has penned five books: her memoir Love, Loss, and What We Ate; cookbooks Easy Exotic, Tangy, Tart, Hot & Sweet and The Encyclopedia of Spices & Herbs; and the children’s book Tomatoes for Neela. Her next cookbook, Padma’s All-American, chronicles the recipes and stories behind Taste the Nation and will be released this fall.

Beyond the kitchen, Padma is a fierce advocate for women’s health and immigrant rights. In 2009, she co-founded the Endometriosis Foundation of America to raise awareness and fund research for the condition affecting millions. Her advocacy extends globally through her role as a United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador, focusing on inequality and discrimination. 

In 2021, Padma was awarded the Advocate of the Year Award by the United Nations Correspondents Association, and in 2023, she was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People.

For her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to inclusivity and representation, Padma is the recipient of Cherry Bombe’s 2025 Leadership Award.

Photo by Priscilla Benedetti

Katie is an Emmy-nominated culinary personality best known for co-hosting Food Network’s hit show The Kitchen. In 2024, she launched All on The Table with Katie Lee Biegel, her weekly podcast with Dear Media where no topic—from pantry staples to parenting—is off limits. She’s also the author of multiple cookbooks and a novel, Groundswell, which was turned into a Hallmark movie. 

In 2023, Katie co-founded Kind of Wild Wines, a line of organic, zero sugar, environmentally-friendly wines. As a passionate advocate for hunger relief, she serves on the board of the Food Bank for New York City, proving that her mission goes well beyond the table.

Photo by Ben Fink Shapiro

Laura Lendrum has built a career at the stylish intersection of fashion and food. As president of Ralph Lauren, she helped bring culinary charm to the brand with the debut of Ralph’s Coffee and the iconic Polo Bar. Most recently, she was the creative force behind Printemps’ chic new retail concept on Wall Street, blending French luxury, fashion, and food under one elegant roof. With her eye for detail and passion for hospitality, Laura continues to redefine how we shop, sip, and savor.

Jennifer Livingston is a highly sought after photographer and director based in New York City. She’s shot every cover of Cherry Bombe Magazine and has worked for numerous publications and brands, including New York Times Magazine, Esquire, British GQ, Cartier, Tory Burch, Drew Barrymore, and Rachel Comey.

Bricia Lopez is the mezcal-loving powerhouse putting Oaxacan cuisine on the map. As the face of Guelaguetza, the James Beard Award-winning Los Angeles institution run with her siblings, Bricia has become a defining voice in the city’s food scene. 

Dubbed the “queen of mezcal” by The New Yorker, Bricia helped launch Mama Rabbit in Las Vegas, a sprawling temple to agave spirits inside Park MGM. She’s also co-founded RE:Her, a nonprofit supporting women restaurateurs, as well as two direct-to-consumer brands, I Love Micheladas and Guelaguetza Mole Starters. Bricia has also written two cookbooks, Oaxaca: Home Cooking from the Heart of Mexico and Asada: The Art of Mexican-Style Grilling. She co-hosts the podcast Super Mamas with her sister, Paulina.

Photo by Amy Dickerson

Brita Lundberg is a fourth generation farmer and the chief storyteller at Lundberg Family Farms. In her current role on Lundberg's marketing team, Brita helps share the brand's regenerative organic farming practices and educates a broader base of consumers about regenerative organic agriculture. Whether she’s talking about wildlife-friendly farming (her family’s practices have saved tens of thousands of ducks!) or the future of food, Brita is helping shape a more delicious, earth-conscious conversation.

As co-founder and CEO of Mad Realities, Alice has built a new model for social-first entertainment, creating viral hit shows like Shop Cats, Hollywood IQ, Proof of Love, and Keep the Meter Running. She was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 for her work building the company. Alice graduated from UC Berkeley, where she studied political economy, computer science, and Arabic, and speaks eight languages.

Girl Dinner creator Olivia Maher calls herself a full-time sister. She is one-third of the House of Maher Podcast with her sisters, Olympian Ilona and humanitarian Adrianna. She lives in L.A. creating food and lifestyle content all while managing the busy life and business of her professional athlete sister.

Learn more about Oliva in Cherry Bombe’s The Love Issue.

Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel is the chef and co-owner of Birdie’s, the beloved Austin restaurant redefining what it means to be a neighborhood spot. With experience at restaurants such as Gramercy Tavern, Blue Hill, and Del Posto, Tracy returned to her Texas roots to open Birdie’s with her husband and partner, Arjav Ezekiel. Their vision? A fine-casual restaurant that pairs seasonal, soulful cooking with a progressive workplace model. At Birdie’s, employees receive paid family leave, health insurance, and four weeks of planned and paid vacation—a rarity in the industry.

Tracy’s food is both refined and approachable, drawing inspiration from her grandmother’s pasta to fire-cooked fish on the beach. Birdie’s has garnered national acclaim, earning a spot on The New York Times’ 2021 Restaurant List and being named Food & Wine’s Restaurant of the Year in 2023. 

Photo by Sanetra Longno

Chef Angie Mar is renowned for her vision and unequivocally modern interpretation of classic fine dining. Angie’s career in Greenwich Village has spanned the course of over 15 years. Known for her refined yet familiar cuisine, Angie blends her Asian heritage with classic French technique and a distinctly American sensibility. Her Greenwich Village restaurant, Les Trois Chevaux, quickly earned acclaim from Esquire, Robb Report, and Condé Nast Traveler as one of the best new restaurants in the country. 

A Food & Wine Best New Chef and James Beard nominee, Angie is also deeply committed to giving back, supporting organizations like City Harvest and Kin On Nursing Home—continuing her family’s legacy of care and community. She’s also the author of the 2019 cookbook Butcher and Beast: Mastering the Art of Meat.

Photo by William Hereford

A native Angeleno and adopted New Yorker, Camilla Marcus is a chef and culinary creative, committed to sustainability and giving back to the community. She received a JD/MBA from New York University, an AA from the International Culinary Center, and a BS from The Wharton School. She launched her restaurant, West~Bourne, in SoHo in 2018 with a zero-waste and vegetable-forward mission. After closing the restaurant in 2020, Camilla relocated to her native L.A. and continued West~Bourne as a regenerative pantry provisions line. She released her debut cookbook, My Regenerative Kitchen, in 2024. She’s also a founding member of the Independent Restaurant Coalition.

Elisa Marshall is the co-founder of Maman, the dreamy café and lifestyle brand known for its blue-and-white branding, chocolate chip cookies (an Oprah fave), and cozy French vibes. A Toronto native now based in New York City, Elisa launched Maman in 2014 with her partner, Ben Sormonte, when they couldn’t find a space that captured the warmth of their mothers’ kitchens—so they built it themselves.

With a background in fashion, PR, and event planning, Elisa brought her love of entertaining, baking, and design under one roof. What started as a single SoHo café has since blossomed into a beloved mini-empire with over 30 locations across North America, countless brand collaborations, and a bestselling cookbook, Maman: The Cookbook.

Photo by Twah Dougherty

Mélanie Masarin is the founder and CEO of Ghia, the buzzy, bitter, and beautiful alcohol-free apéritif that’s redefining the modern cocktail hour. She launched Ghia in 2020 with a mission to create a spirited social ritual without the booze. Inspired by Mediterranean aperitivo culture and crafted with bold botanicals, Ghia has since become a cult favorite, beloved for its design-forward branding and complex, grown-up flavor.

A French native with a background in branding and hospitality (including stints at Glossier and Dig Inn), Mélanie brings style and substance to everything she touches. Under her leadership, Ghia has expanded beyond the bottle, with spritz cans, collabs, and merch.

Amber Mayfield is the founder of To Be Hosted, the boutique events company known for its dinner parties that spotlight Black chefs, artists, and musicians. What started as a supper club side hustle when she was just 23 has turned into a go-to for brands like Netflix, Moët Hennessy, and Pinterest. Amber also has a Substack newsletter and While Entertaining Magazine, which is a resource for all things celebrations and gatherings. 

Amber’s mission is to make the dinner party more equitable and way more interesting. A former NBC Page and Bravo TV assistant, she fell for food through New York City’s dining scene and the storytelling behind it. She’s since been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, The Washington Post, and Good Morning America, and was named to Forbes 30 Under 30. Amber is working on her debut entertaining book.

Andréa McBride John and Robin McBride are the co-founders of McBride Sisters, the largest Black-owned and women-founded wine company in the United States, with brands like Black Girl Magic Wines and She Can Wines. Half-sisters, Robin grew up in California and Andréa in New Zealand. Fate united them in 1999 and their discovery of one another, along with a shared love affair with wine, food and culture, sparked a creative and entrepreneurial force. They bonded immediately and eventually decided to go into business together. They had no connections, no money, just the desire to build something together as a family and to build something transformational. In 2019, Robin and Andréa launched their first nonprofit organization, the SHE CAN Fund, which was created to support the advancement of women in male-dominated industries with scholarships, mentorship, and community.

Michelladonna is a dynamic actor, comedian, producer, and community organizer from Queens. As the creator and host of the community collective I’m Finna Talk, a free and accessible workshop and open-mic series, they champion the creative voices of Queer Black and Brown artists in New York City, providing them with a vibrant platform to showcase their work.

They also host Shop Cats, a delightful internet sensation that explores the charming world of cats in local shops across the city. They created and host Bodega Chat, a podcast and platform highlighting New York culture and up-and-coming creatives and organizers. Additionally, Michelladonna has been featured on HBO’s Game Theory with Bomani Jones and runs Muñecas Sucias Comedy, a pop-up show highlighting up-and-coming queer and BIPOC comedians.

Michelladonna is featured in Cherry Bombe’s Power Issue! Snag the mag here.

Photo by Winnie Au

Klancy Miller is the author of the award-winning book For the Culture: Phenomenal Black Women and Femmes in Food. She is also the founder of For the Culture: A Magazine Celebrating Black Women and Femmes in Food and Wine.

After graduating from Columbia University, and working in international development in French Polynesia, she earned a Diplôme de Pâtisserie from Le Cordon Bleu Paris and apprenticed in the pastry kitchen at the Michelin-starred restaurant Taillevent. She later joined Le Cordon Bleu’s recipe development team, during which time she was featured on the Food Network.

Now based in Brooklyn, Klancy continues to write about food and has contributed to The New York Times, Vogue, Washington Post, Food & Wine, Cherry Bombe, Bon Appétit, and Food52. She is a James Beard Foundation award finalist, and was a 2022 International Association of Culinary Professionals Trailblazer Awards Winner. In 2024, she received the 2024 IACP award for Literary or Historical Food Writing.

Mary Sue Milliken 

Mary Sue Milliken is a James Beard and Julia Child award-winning chef, cookbook author, media personality, food system activist, and co-owner of Mundo Hospitality Group along with her business partner, Susan Feniger.

After graduating from Washburne Culinary Institute in Chicago, Mary Sue worked her way up and became the first female chef at Le Perroquet in 1978—where she soon met Susan Feniger. She cooked at the woman-owned, two-Michelin-star Restaurant D’Olympe in Paris, before rejoining Susan in L.A. to launch City Café in 1981, applying French techniques to dishes from around the world. The culinary pair found further acclaim with CITY Restaurant in 1985, and captured the hearts of Angelenos with their restaurant Border Grill. 

Susan Feniger

Susan Feniger is an iconic culinarian, author, entrepreneur, and co-owner of Mundo Hospitality Group, which she runs with her business partner, Mary Sue Milliken. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in New York, Susan made a groundbreaking move in joining the nearly all-male kitchen at Chicago’s Le Perroquet, serendipitously meeting the only other woman in the kitchen, Mary Sue Milliken. After working for Wolfgang Puck at Ma Maison in L.A., Susan went to the French Riviera to further hone her skills, and returned to open City Café with Mary Sue in 1981, forever changing L.A.’s culinary landscape by introducing eclectic dishes from around the world. 

Mary Sue and Susan have since opened multiple Border Grill locations, food trucks, and a full-service events and a catering business in L.A. and Las Vegas. The chef duo continue breaking barriers as female restaurateurs in a male-dominated industry, pioneering sustainability initiatives and developing their culinary offerings in a variety of restaurants that include BBQ Mexicana, Pacha Mamas, and SOCALO, a California canteen and Mexican Pub. Most recently, the duo opened Alice B., a California twist on Mediterranean food in Palm Springs.

Together they received the Julia Child Award and Los Angeles Times’ annual Gold Award. Between them, they have co-authored six cookbooks and together starred in nearly 400 episodes of the Food Network’s Too Hot Tamales television series. Both competed in different seasons of Bravo’s Top Chef Masters, each winning money for their selected charities. They joined a handful of progressive colleagues to found two important organizations: Women Chefs & Restaurateurs, an organization promoting women’s education and advancement in the restaurant industry, and Chefs Collaborative whose mission is to inspire, educate, and celebrate chefs and food professionals building a better food system.

Becca Millstein, co-founder and CEO of Fishwife, has redefined the U.S. tinned seafood market with a fresh, modern approach. Launched in December 2020, Fishwife quickly gained popularity for its sustainably sourced products and distinctive packaging. Under Becca’s leadership, Fishwife has elevated tinned seafood to a staple in American pantries, akin to its status in European cuisine. By focusing on quality, sustainability, and storytelling, Fishwife has not only disrupted a traditional industry but also inspired a new generation of consumers to appreciate the convenience and culinary potential of tinned fish. 

In early 2025, Becca released her debut cookbook, The Fishwife Cookbook: Delightful Tinned Fish Recipes for Every Occasion.

Joanne Lee Molinaro is a Korean American trial lawyer, born and raised in Chicago. Joanne adopted a plant-based diet in January 2016 and began The Korean Vegan on social media as a passion project later that year. Now, she’s a New York Times bestselling author with over five million fans across her platforms.

Joanne has built a devoted following by pairing plant-based Korean recipes with deeply personal narratives about family, identity, and resilience. Her debut cookbook, The Korean Vegan, was named one of the best of 2021 by The New York Times, The New Yorker, and more. Since then, she’s appeared everywhere from The Food Network to PBS, and been profiled by The Atlantic, CNN, and NPR. 

Her next book, The Korean Vegan: Homemade, will be out this fall.

Photo by Geoff Martin

Julia Moskin has been a reporter in the Food section of The New York Times since 2002. Her work focuses on all the ways food touches our lives: in restaurants, social media, home cooking, agriculture, migration, and more. In 2017, Julia uncovered harassment at high-profile New York restaurants, a piece that won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. In addition, her 2020 investigation into sexual coercion at the Court of Master Sommeliers reminds us that food is never just food, and that journalism can be a tool for both accountability and change.

Jenny Nguyen is the founder and owner of The Sports Bra, the country’s first sports bar dedicated exclusively to women’s sports. A chef by training, Jenny dreamed up The Sports Bra as a space where fans of women’s sports could gather, cheer, and feel seen. With all games by women athletes on every screen, an elevated food and beverage menu sourced from women-owned businesses, and a mission rooted in safety and celebration for queer, trans, and non-binary folks, The Sports Bra is more than a bar—it’s a movement.

Since opening in Portland in 2022, The Sports Bra has become a must-visit destination for fans and changemakers alike. Jenny’s bold vision is rewriting the rules for sports culture and restaurant ownership.

Photo by Dorothy Wang

Jamila Norman—also known as Farmer J—is an urban farmer, food activist, and the founder of Patchwork City Farms in Atlanta. The daughter of Caribbean immigrants and a former environmental engineer, Jamila left her decade-long career to grow food and community full-time. Her organic farm has become a staple of Atlanta’s local food movement, and she’s a founding member of the SWAG Cooperative, which uplifts Black urban farmers across the city.

As an advocate for food justice, Jamila’s work is rooted in equity, sustainability, and wellness. Jamila continues to plant seeds of change through her farm, her wellness initiative EAT MOVE BeWELL, and her Magnolia Network show, Homegrown, which helps families transform their outdoor spaces into beautiful and functional backyard farms. 

Learn more about Jamila in Cherry Bombe’s Food TV Today issue

Photo courtesy of Magnolia Network

Samin Nosrat is a chef, teacher, the author of the James Beard Award–winning cookbook Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, and the star and creator of the hit Netflix series of the same name. She has been called “a go-to resource for matching the correct techniques with the best ingredients” by The New York Times and “the next Julia Child” by NPR’s All Things Considered. A California native and former Chez Panisse chef, Samin has become a beloved voice in food media. Samin has been a food columnist for The New York Times Magazine and stars on the kids culinary show Waffles + Mochi on Netflix. Her second cookbook, Good Things, is out this fall. 

Learn more about Samin in Cherry Bombe’s The Baker’s Dozen Issue.

Photo by Aya Brackett

Kristina O’Neal co-founded AvroKO in 2001 and has helped shape it into one of the most influential design firms in the hospitality world. Over the past two decades, the studio has grown into a global practice with offices in New York, San Francisco, London, Bangkok, and Miami, with a team of over 150. AvroKO’s critically acclaimed portfolio reflects a dynamic tension—between historic ideals and bold futurism, between cultural memory and social connection, and between the physical, emotional, and psychological experience of space.

The firm is widely recognized for its concept-rich, award-winning interiors that merge storytelling with environmental psychology. Their work is rooted in a proprietary process called Hospitable Thinking, which reimagines design as a tool to meet core human needs. Guided by a shared entrepreneurial spirit, Kristina and her partners have expanded AvroKO’s reach through ventures such as Brand Bureau, a strategy and creative studio for hospitality brands, and HOST on Howard, a hybrid gallery and gathering space celebrating food, wine, art, and design, including AvroKO’s own custom-designed furniture and lighting.

In 2020, Kristina launched Hospitable Bridge, a micro-grant and investment platform supporting female founders who are actively reshaping the future of hospitality through innovation and impact.

Ellia Park is a restaurateur, CEO of NA:EUN Hospitality, and co-founder of several successful restaurants including Atoboy, Atomix, NARO, and Seoul Salon. Ellia and her husband, Junghyun “JP” Park, moved from Seoul to New York City and are credited with bringing the concept of “New Korean Cuisine” to the forefront of fine dining to the city. 

Learn more about Ellia in Cherry Bombe’s Host with the Most Issue. 

Photo by Sunny Shokrae

Before Becca Parrish was deemed “the chef whisperer” by W magazine, she was a kid growing up in the panhandle of Florida—raised on a steady diet of Southern hospitality and great food.

She began her career as a newspaper reporter in Montgomery, Alabama, after earning a master’s degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. When she moved to New York in 1997, she immediately indulged in all the city had to offer, merging her love of dining, hospitality and storytelling by pursuing a career in communications. She launched her eponymous agency in 2004, becoming the trusted go-to for brands and personalities in food, culture, and hospitality.

Since then, she has represented some of the most talented names in the industry, delivering creative strategy and storytelling for brands such as Ralph Lauren, Rockefeller Center, and Netflix, as well as chefs such as  Eric Ripert, JP and Ellia Park, Mashama Bailey, and Ignacio Mattos. Her agency’s work is consistently recognized by the Observer’s Power List and Forbes’ Best Agencies in America. In 2024, she began a new chapter, partnering with Jen Prosek to bridge culture and capital globally.

Becca is also on the boards of Emma’s Torch and City Harvest’s Food Council.

Photo by Melanie Dunea

Natasha Pickowicz is a California born, New York City–based chef, a four-time James Beard Foundation Award finalist, and the author of More Than Cake, which was a New York Times Best Cookbooks of 2023 as well as a 2023 James Beard Foundation finalist.

Much of her pastry work explores the relationship between baking and social justice, including ongoing collaborations with seminal New York City institutions like Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, God’s Love We Deliver, the Brigid Alliance, and Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, for whom she produced a massive city-wide bake sale, raising more than $200,000 between 2017 and 2024.

Photo by Jennifer Livingston for Cherry Bombe Issue 18

Ruth Reichl is an esteemed food writer and editor. In addition to two decades as a food critic, mainly spent at the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times, Ruth was the editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine and has also written several cookbooks, memoirs, and a novel. She also has been the co-producer of PBS’ Gourmet’s Diary of a Foodie, culinary editor for the Modern Library, and host of PBS’ Gourmet’s Adventures With Ruth. She has won six James Beard Foundation Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024. 

Photo by Jennifer Livingston for Cherry Bombe Issue 3