Ghia Founder Mélanie Masarin On Her Debut Cookbook “Riviera”

In this episode of Radio Cherry Bomb, host Keri Diamond sits down with Melanie Massarin, founder of the non-alcoholic beverage brand Gia and author of her debut cookbook, *Riviera: Recipes from the Coast of France and Italy*. The conversation dives deep into Melanie’s Parisian kitchen—renovated with mirrored backsplashes, pale wood, and a long, linear stove she meticulously sourced—inspired by her grandmother’s cherished recipe notebook, which became the emotional and culinary heart of the book. Melanie shares how her grandmother’s intuitive, measurement-free cooking style shaped her philosophy: that cooking should be joyful, accessible, and full of generosity, not perfection. The book, designed as a tactile, beautiful object with a matte white cover and glossy accents, reflects her love for the Mediterranean coast, family memories, and the ritual of the aperitivo. She highlights simple, unfuckable recipes like fish in parchment, grilled tomato carpaccio, and the Tarte Soleil—a phyllo-based, sun-shaped appetizer—emphasizing that great food doesn’t require a fancy pantry. The episode also explores the synergy between her cookbook and her brand Gia, both rooted in the Riviera’s spirit of celebration and connection. Melanie reflects on her journey as a founder, the challenges of balancing a startup with book writing, and the power of female founder communities like those with Camilla Marcus, Jing, and Becca. The episode closes with a heartfelt tribute to the women who inspired her, underscoring the theme that creativity, care, and community are the true ingredients of a meaningful life.