Women at Work: Kerry Diamond
Introducing the Women at Work: Food Issue. First in the series, the woman at the center of of it all, the founder of Cherry Bombe.
The offices of Cherry Bombe, housed in the WSA Building in downtown Manhattan, are exceptionally enviable: views of the East River, desk-side service of fresh juices and teas and a lobby cafe stocked with fancy organic snacks and sushi. Still, founder Kerry Diamond is often elsewhere — at Newsstand Studios in Rockefeller Center where she records the Radio Cherry Bombe podcast or somewhere across the country connecting with women in the food world. “I think we did 47 events last year,” says Kerry. “We are big believers in community and being IRL. It’s why I’m always on the road.”
Kerry launched the first issue of the Cherry Bombe magazine in 2013 — now a sold-out collector’s item with Karlie Kloss on the cover — turning a joyful and celebratory lens on food, fashion and women who love both. It perfectly synthesized her unique background as a journalist, beauty editor, fashion and luxury beauty PR and budding restaurateur. The media company now includes a biannual magazine, annual Jubilee conference, two weekly podcasts, a new Substack and a membership program called the Bombe Squad, along with talks, parties, dinners and panels throughout the year. It has all worked in concert to build a formidable network of women in food and hospitality — Cherry Bombe’s true USP.
“We’ve got spreadsheets of women in every city who are bakers, restaurant owners, chefs. Before it was information I could hold in my head. Now it’s amazing to see how many successful women there are in this industry.”
The most recent issue of Cherry Bombe, the Love Issue, dropped last month, featuring the Maher sisters: Olympic darling and rugby player Ilona, humanitarian Adrianna and TV showrunner Olivia, who originated the Girl Dinner meme during the writer’s strike. “We had worked with Olivia on a few projects and then asked her to be our correspondent for the Paris Olympics,” explains Kerry, “and just our dumb luck, her sister turns out to be the breakout star.” Booking the trio was a no-brainer. “There’s something magical about these three sisters,” she says. “They’re all about family, they love food and they’re all about body positivity — that was super important.”
Cherry Bombe’s ultimate networking opportunity, the Jubilee conference, is coming up on April 12. “We’ve had some really nice success stories come out of the Jubilee,” says Kerry. “People have found literary agents, they’ve gotten cookbook deals.” These stories are all the sweeter considering that the Jubilee was inspired by a 2013 story about women being shut out from food events and subsequently the opportunities that arise from them.
Though running a media company in 2025 is, according to Kerry, “a rollercoaster,” she isn’t shrinking from the challenge. The company hired CEO Kate Miller Spencer in 2022, and during the pandemic Kerry found inspiration for Cherry Bombe’s future in an unexpected place: Taylor Swift, a woman with a massive yet very dedicated community. “I had always liked being niche,” says Kerry. “But I thought maybe we’re doing ourselves a disservice by staying niche. I looked at Taylor and thought, Why can’t Cherry Bombe be that big? Why can’t we try to reach every woman with our message of positivity and everything that we’re doing?”
My daily work uniform… doesn’t exist. No two days are ever the same. I’m in a studio, on a plane, on the subway, hosting an event, checking out a restaurant. I also think I like clothes too much to have a uniform.
My go-to look for an important meeting or public speaking… I always have two competing things in my head. The desire to look polished and put-together and to wear something eye-catching, especially when onstage. I have a hard time finding pieces that achieve both, but when I do, I hang onto them! I also have to struggle against my native New Yorker instinct to wear black from head to toe.
My overall workwear vibe for spring… girl on the move!
The biggest change in workwear since I entered the industry… it’s a lot more casual, but in a good way. Back when I worked at Harper’s Bazaar and Lancôme, I had to get way more dressed up. I feel more like myself today.
A memorable early-career interview outfit… I remember exactly what I wore when I interviewed at WWD with editor-in-chief Ed Nardoza: a periwinkle Cynthia Rowley shift with a matching coat. I felt good in it and it wound up being a point of conversation because Ed told me a story about Cynthia. I got the job, and that job changed my life. But looking back, I think it was giving bridesmaid!
My fashion advice for graduates going to their first interviews… show your personality. Be memorable, especially if you’re interviewing in a creative field. But I’d love to give some other advice. Show interest and enthusiasm at your interview. Ask the interviewer questions. You don’t have to send a hand-written note like my generation did, but you should write a thoughtful thank-you email the next day and include something interesting: a link to a story you think they’d like, a link to something you wrote. You need to separate yourself from other interviewees.
The most helpful career advice I ever received… was from Martha Stewart when I interviewed her at our Jubilee conference in 2016. She talked about the importance of staying curious. You have to be open to what’s new, next, and modern, especially in a creative field. She talked about never taking the same path twice – literally. She said she always has her driver take a different route, which is very Martha. I’ve interpreted that in my own way. Get off the subway a stop earlier. Walk instead of taking an Uber. Go down a different street. I’ve been rewarded time and again with that approach. Thank you, Martha!
The most rewarding thing about being an entrepreneur… having a mission-driven company and not having to compromise my ideals.
And the most challenging… everything! Nothing is easy about being an entrepreneur.
Tory Burch Romy tote “It’s really chic and well made and fits my laptop, my lunch, and a few copies of Cherry Bombe, whatever I need to throw in it. The straps feel lovely but sturdy in your hands or slung over your shoulder.”
Ruth Asawa at SF MOMA. “Her work is so inspiring and helps clear the noise in my brain.”
Tory Burch sneakers. “I like to support female-founded brands, and there aren’t a lot that make sneakers. I just need to pick which style because there are a lot of options.”
Third Culture Cooking by Zaynab Issa. “I’m so excited about Zaynab’s book. Hands down, it has the best photography and food styling of all the spring cookbooks, and a great cover. Too many cookbooks look the same. There’s a beautiful message behind the book as well as about identity.”
Jones Road Undereye Armor “I love everything Bobbi Brown is doing at Jones Road. She just launched a new eye cream that I need to pick up. I’m on a constant quest for good eye cream and good concealer.
Tory Burch track pants “I need to get my butt to the gym more consistently and I’m just not a leggings girl. I might need these in navy and white.
Spring flowers. “I live in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, and we’re blessed with flowering trees, lilacs, roses, peonies, tulips and other blooms block after block. Spring in my neighborhood is such a delight.”
Le Chene “Young French chef, Alexia Duchêne, is opening a restaurant in the West Village this spring. She’s very ambitious and I think it’s going to be something special.”
The View “I can’t wait to visit The View, the rotating restaurant at the top of the Marriott Marquis in the Theater District. I love Broadway and there aren’t a lot of great dining options there. But restaurant genius Danny Meyer took it over recently, David Rockwell redid the interiors, and Majorie Meek-Bradley is the chef.”
We’re thrilled to celebrate Women’s History Month with our second Women at Work issue, featuring entrepreneurs in the food world. We’ll publish a new story weekly through the month. Thank you for reading.
Love this!
ADORE Kerry and her work 🙌🏼 Going to Jubilee over the years has always been soul-filling! One year, I tagged Bobbi Brown because her former brand's lipstick was in the google bag. That conversation led to me working with her company EV_18 (previous to Jones Road) on recipes + food styling ❤️