IN CONVERSATION WITH: CookWithStellaRadio

Stella, or fondly known as CookWithStellaRadio, is a Culinarian first and foremost. She also has music and talk shows on Blast in her virtual radio cafe! She’s been a regular on the Blast Radio airwaves, streaming masterfully curated track selections and inviting us all to her cafe adorned with her warm radio personality that pays homage to traditional radio. 

Follow Stella or ‘CookWithStellaRadio’ in the app) to catch Stella’s featured broadcast this Sunday (10/14) at 6 PM Eastern time. 

We recently spoke with Stella to learn more about her, her streams, and what she’s got coming down the line. You can tune into Holiday Music which will be a regular show for the season starting in November, 2024.

How would you describe your broadcasts? 

I treat each show like my friends/family are coming over to listen to music and have a nice meal. I like to talk about food and recipes with the listeners! I also feature shows dedicated to genres and artists that range from past to the present. I have been told that my show structure is reminiscent of traditional radio. 

We love your music selection. How do you put your track list together? What are some of the rules of creating a well thought-out, flowing setlist? 

Thank you. Songs come to me while I am in the kitchen. I will go to my record player or phone and listen to music while cooking. I enjoy the artist recommendations on the streaming platforms and social media and discovering songs that resonate and sharing them on the broadcasts.

Can you give us a teaser for your upcoming Feature on Blast? What can we expect on the airwaves on 10/13?

Self Care Sunday will include messages of encouragement and music with a similar vibe. The mood mix will be a sampler platter of music from the shows that I broadcast on Blast.

Which product do you use to broadcast (Blast Mic, Blast Box, Broadcast Software)? What is your setup? 

I use the Blast box. It is portable and simple to use.

How do you prepare for a broadcast?

Much like a real cafe I think about what the listeners would enjoy during different times of year and create a menu of fresh shows and music to share.

It’s imperative to create safe environments for creators. What do you expect from broadcasting platforms as a creator/broadcaster?

Clear policies, responsiveness and action from the platform about safety concerns from creators/broadcasters/listeners. 

Do you have a fond memory of the radio you’d like to share? Who you were with, what was playing, how it made you feel? 

I was in the kitchen cooking with my mom and Minnie Ripperton’s song Memory Lane came on the radio. I remember how something in her voice was so sad and beautiful. The song sounded like she was leaving and wanted to revisit happy memories before she left, like she needed more time. That song is truly special. Richard Rudolph, her husband was involved in the project and she was also battling breast Cancer at the time, she died at 31 years old leaving behind two small children. The song made sense after I learned of what happened to her.

Who are your three ideal dinner guests (dead or alive)? 

Dr. Sebi, Don Miguel Ruiz, Deepak Chopra