Melissa King

Kerry Diamond (0:04)

Hi, everybody. You're listening to Radio Cherry Bombe, and I'm your host, Kerry Diamond, coming to you from Newstance Studios at Rockefeller Center in the heart of New York City.

Today's guest is one of our faves, Melissa King, Top Chef champ, cookbook author, activist, even a Cherry Bombe cover star. Melissa is back because she's written a memoir. The book took her six years plus a lifetime to write.

The Girl Who Became King is out tomorrow and Melissa is here today to talk all about it. We discuss what it's like to share your family secrets and your own stories, her wildly different grandmothers being sequestered for Top Chef, her family's favorite celebration foods, and of course her friendship with another Cherry Bombe fave, Padma Lakshmi. Stay tuned for our chat.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us on the West Coast at Cherry Bombe Farmers and Makers in honor of 2026 being the International Year of the Female Farmer. What a gorgeous weekend. The team and I were thrilled to celebrate farmers and wine makers and entrepreneurs from the region. I met so many great folks and even got to interview California Secretary of Agriculture, Karen Ross. Be sure to check out our Instagram and sub stack for highlights.

Today's show is presented by Whole Foods Market. At Cherry Bombe, we're always inspired by great ingredients, thoughtful sourcing, and the people behind the food we love. That's why we're excited to partner with Whole Foods Market. You Whole Foods fans out there know this, but Whole Foods Market is more than a grocery store. It's a destination for health and wellness. Their purpose is to nourish people and the planet, and that commitment comes through in everything they do, from supporting local makers, including so many founders and entrepreneurs in the Bombesquad, to championing quality ingredients and responsible sourcing. I always discover something new when I shop at Whole Foods, whether it's a seasonal ingredient, an emerging food brand, or a pantry staple that quickly becomes a favorite. Whole Foods Market believes that paying attention to how food is sourced, grown and raised can make a positive impact on our communities and the world around us. A philosophy that really resonates with us here at Cherry Bombe. For more, visit Whole Foods Market or wholefoodsmarket.com. Now, let's check in with today's guest.

Melissa King, welcome back to Radio Cherry Bombe.

Melissa King (2:25)

Hi Kerry.

Kerry Diamond (2:26)

Oh my God, it's so much fun seeing you. Same, same. It's always great to see you. You love it here in the studio or you love it in New York?

Melissa King (2:33)

I mean all of the above, of course. New York has great energy, just one of the most inspiring cities in the world.

Kerry Diamond (2:40)

It is. I saw you a few weeks ago. Have you been here the whole time?

Melissa King (2:43)

Yeah, I feel like we see each other more outside of work than in work. That might be true. Have I been here the whole time? Yes, I have.

I've been eating around, just doing some press for the new book. Uh-huh.

Kerry Diamond (2:54)

I can probably say I saw you at Padma's birthday party.

Melissa King (2:58)

That was a fun time. That was a fun time. We're on the dance floor, you know.

Kerry Diamond (3:01)

We were. I don't know how much dancing I did, but I ate a lot.

Melissa King (3:04)

I was on the dance floor for sure.

Kerry Diamond (3:06)

Were you?

Melissa King (3:06)

Oh yeah, that was a good time.

Kerry Diamond (3:08)

Food is always good at Padma's parties. Oh, the best.

Melissa King (3:11)

Sometimes she'll do like Indian food and it's just all different types and buffet style.

Kerry Diamond (3:17)

The funny thing about her parties is people always bring her food. That woman already has so much food.

Melissa King (3:22)

She has so much food in her house. She never has to leave home because they're just constantly food.

Kerry Diamond (3:28)

Never ever.

I brought food. I brought a whole cake. I knew there was somebody must have thought about bringing cake, but this amazing young baker, Sahana, who has that company Bakeaway, it's a line of bake mixes. She made me the most spectacular cake and brought it to me that Friday at Cherry Bombe House and I was like, oh gosh, what am I going to do with a cake? I was like, oh wait, I'm going to a birthday party tonight. Perfect.

Melissa King (3:51)

It was perfect.

Kerry Diamond (3:51)

Yes, so Sahana, if you're listening, thank you so much for that cake. It was beautiful.