California Prunes Roll Out the Pink Carpet at Cherry Bombe Jubilee

At this year’s Cherry Bombe Jubilee in New York City, California Prunes brought the flavor, the flair, and just the right amount of fruit-fueled fun.

We made a bold entrance with a co-branded pink carpet. It was a place where guests stopped for photo ops and mini-interviews with culinary stars Jaine Mackievicz and Aida Mollenkamp. This sweet moment of fame wasn’t just for the ‘Gram—it was a celebration of California Prunes’ ongoing partnership with Cherry Bombe and a chance to connect directly with some of the most influential women (and fans!) in food. It helped set the stage for a true celebration!

Cherry Bombe’s community is a mix of established tastemakers and rising culinary voices. It is exactly the kind of influential, values-driven women we know are bound to love California Prunes. These are the chefs, writers, and creators shaping food culture and sharing their discoveries directly with audiences who trust them.

Viral Giveaways & French Kisses

The buzz didn’t stop at the carpet. Attendees were also treated to:

• Custom prune-shaped hair clips created in collaboration with the playful and creative brand Jenny Lemons—a true crowd-pleaser (and Instagram star).
  
• The ever-popular chocolate-covered prunes, affectionately dubbed “French Kisses,” which disappeared faster than we could unwrap them.
  
• Snack packs of California Prunes and an inspiring recipe card placed in each official gift bag, making it easy for guests to take the goodness home.
  

These fun and functional gifts kept prunes top-of-mind (and top-of-snack drawers) long after the event ended.

Cherry Bombe Jubilee is A Celebration of Women in Food

Our activation was part of a larger, powerful day designed to spotlight women making waves in food, beverage, and media. Cherry Bombe founder Kerry Diamond has created a truly one-of-a-kind platform. It is one where legends and newcomers share the stage, swap stories, and spark ideas.

This year’s keynote speakers included none other than icon Gloria Steinem whose interview encouraged women to pursue their passion, as well as acclaimed chef and Netflix Chef’s Table star Asma Khan, whose talk and cookbook signing had attendees buzzing.

Inspiring Voices from Across the Industry

From panel discussions on food storytelling and change-making, to intimate solo talks from culinary innovators like Woldy Reyes, Chrissy Tracey, Eden Grinshpan, and Zaynab Issa, Jubilee was packed with insight and inspiration. Notable speakers included:

• Caroline Chambers, Substack superstar and cookbook author
  
• Deb Freeman, host of Finding Edna Lewis
  
• Paola Velez, celebrated pastry chef and cookbook author
  
• Natasha Pickowicz, pastry chef and activist

Plus, Padma Lakshmi and her daughter Krishna made a surprise appearance to introduce Gloria Steinem, adding even more star power to a day full of meaningful moments.

Why All the Buzz about Cherry Bombe Jubilee?

By showing up in an authentic, joyful way—on the pink carpet and beyond—we helped reshape how people think about prunes: not just as a health food (though we do support bone and gut health!), but as a delicious, versatile ingredient worthy of center stage.

Want to see how chefs and home cooks are using California Prunes in modern, mouthwatering ways? Explore our recipes.

Article written by Alison Needham for California Prunes. Images by James Collier/Paprika Studios and Alycia Moreno/Grace Rising Photography