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.

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 Amber: Instagram, The Arniano Painting School, "Winter in Tuscany" cookbook
More on Kerry: Instagram, “So You Want To Open A Restaurant” Substack series