Today’s guest is Helen Goh, a celebrated pastry chef, recipe developer, cookbook author, columnist, and longtime creative at the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen. Born in Malaysia, raised in Australia, and now based in London, Helen truly brings a global perspective to her baking. She co-authored two bestselling books with Yotam Ottolenghi—“Sweet” and “Comfort”—and recently released her first solo cookbook, “Baking and the Meaning of Life: How to Find Joy in 100 Recipes.”
Helen joins host Jessie Sheehan to talk about her multicultural upbringing, her early years studying psychology, and how she ultimately found her way into the kitchen (including a stint as a cafe owner). She shares stories from her decade at the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen, including behind-the-scenes insight into her collaborative “testing sessions” with Yotam, and the surprising bake sale that sparked her latest book.
Then, Helen guides us through the Champagne and Black Currant Celebration Cake recipe from her new book—her spin on a Kir Royale, but in cake form.
Click here for Helen’s Champagne and Black Currant Celebration Cake recipe.
Thank you to Diamond Nuts, California Prunes, and King Arthur Baking for their support.
Pre-order The Cake Issue
Jubilee NYC 2026 tickets here
Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events.
More on Helen: Instagram, “Baking & the Meaning of Life” cookbook
More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Betrayal: Weekly
Betrayal Weekly is back for a brand new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack. And make sure to check out Seasons 1-4 of Betrayal, along with Betrayal Weekly Season 1.