Pastry Chef Michelle Palazzo Of Frenchette And Le Rock Talks Mom Life, Hot Dogs & Decadent Desserts
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In this vibrant episode of Radio Cherry Bomb, host Carrie Diamond sits down with Michelle Palazzo, the acclaimed pastry chef behind a growing New York City restaurant group that includes Frenchette, Le Rock, Le Vaudor, Frenchette Bakery at the Whitney, and the new Wild Cherry. Michelle reflects on her journey from a single-restaurant pastry chef to leading a multi-location culinary empire, while balancing motherhood and a demanding career in hospitality. She shares her passion for bold flavors, texture, and the creative process behind her dream hot dog for the upcoming Hot Dog Edit at Rockefeller Center—featuring a griddled all-beef dog, spicy German mustard, crispy onions, and a green chili relish. Michelle also opens up about the challenges and joys of being a working mom in the high-pressure food world, the evolution of her leadership style, and her deep-rooted inspiration from cookbooks and collaboration. From her childhood love of hamburgers and dumplings to her current obsession with butter and coconut cake, Michelle’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and culinary joy. The episode also highlights the unique culture of Rockefeller Center as a living, breathing culinary and cultural hub, where Michelle’s team operates within a space rich with history, art, and media. She celebrates the community of chefs and creatives that have emerged around the campus, and shares personal anecdotes—from her time on a Staten Island hot dog truck to her twin sister’s identical looks and the hilarious gift of a chip salad. With a mix of humor, heart, and delicious detail, Michelle embodies the spirit of a modern chef: innovative, grounded, and deeply connected to both her craft and her life.
Create bold, textural hot dogs with griddled buns, spicy mustard, crispy onions, and a bold relish—avoid boiling.
Motherhood in hospitality requires boundaries, support, and trust in your team to thrive.
Inspiration comes from cookbooks, collaboration, and the creative energy of peers.
Leadership means stepping back to empower your team while maintaining vision.
Rockefeller Center is a living culinary and cultural ecosystem—treat it like a world unto itself.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction to Michelle Palazzo and the Hot Dog Edit
“We're going to be at Rockefeller Center, your home, our home. You are creating a special hot dog just for this project.”
Michelle's Dream Hot Dog: Bold, Textured, and Mustard-Forward
“I want too much mustard. And the griddling. You're very into the griddling. It's really because I would just got back from Portland and I was having way too much lobster rolls.”
From Staten Island Hot Dog Truck to Culinary Leadership
Michelle shares her roots, including working on a hot dog truck in Staten Island, her childhood love of ketchup, and her culinary awakening to spicy food and mustard through Second Avenue Deli.
The Magic of Rockefeller Center: A Culinary and Cultural Hub
“It's like, please don't look too hard because you'll be like, what? Yeah, it's such a nice place to work out of.”
Motherhood, Career, and the Balancing Act in Hospitality
“I have to go home and take care of a whole child. Who really needs me. You said a full child. The thing you did with your hands, I was waiting for you to say like a whole chicken. They're pretty much the same weight.”
“I have to go home and take care of a whole child. Who really needs me. You said a full child. The thing you did with your hands, I was waiting for you to say like a whole chicken. They're pretty much the same weight.”
“She makes those like slutty grilled cheeses at night. She's awesome. I feel like she took like a really fun time.”
“I want too much mustard. And the griddling. You're very into the griddling. It's really because I would just got back from Portland and I was having way too much lobster rolls.”
Host
Guest
Michelle Palazzo
person
Carrie Diamond
person
Rockefeller Center
place
Frenchette
other
Le Rock
other
Le Vaudor
other
Wild Cherry
other
Hot Dog Edit
other
Frenchette Bakery at the Whitney
other
Radio Cherry Bomb
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