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Ruthie's Table 4

Ruthie's Table 4

iHeartPodcasts

Arts

For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Episodes

Sir Sadiq Khan, Mayor Of London

Sir Sadiq Khan, Mayor Of London

Sir Sadiq Khan, the third and longest governing Mayor in London’s history, sees the dinner table as a place of importance. Today, he is here with me at The River Café, to share memories and stories about his grandparents, his mother’s cooking during Ramadan, the importance of breaking bread, and how the diversity of London’s restaurants reflect the diversity of our city. Order Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
39min•Mar 24, 2026
Bonus: The Cook And The Book

Bonus: The Cook And The Book

In this bonus excerpt from her conversation with Ashley Baker, Ruthie reflects on the importance of grandparents, and of tradition during the writing of Table 4 at The River Cafe - sharing stories about Great Gerwig, Noah Baumbach and Tom Hollander. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
4min•Mar 20, 2026
Special Episode: The Cook and the Book

Special Episode: The Cook and the Book

In this special episode, Ruthie is joined by her friend and journalist Ashley Baker to take us inside the creation of the new book Table 4 at the River Cafe: Conversations About Food and Life. Join us to revisit some of her most memorable, dazzling conversations and learn what inspired David Beckham, Tina Fey, Paul McCartney, and many more to reveal so much about their lives - and love of a good chocolate nemesis. Table 4 at the River Cafe: Conversations about Food and Life is out now in the US, and available in the UK from 14th May. Find it in all good bookshops, or order online: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
25min•Mar 17, 2026
Bonus: The Chocolate Nemesis

Bonus: The Chocolate Nemesis

In this bonus episode of Ruthie's Table 4, food writer and dessert connoisseur Aleksandra Crapanzano is joined by executive chef Sian Wynn Owen, to discuss The River Cafe's iconic Chocolate Nemesis. Preorder Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
4min•Mar 16, 2026
Aleksandra Crapanzano

Aleksandra Crapanzano

Aleksandra Crapanzano is a close friend who has written four fantastic books - The London Cookbook, Eat. Cook. L.A., Gâteau: The Surprising Simplicity of French Cakes, and most recently Chocolat: Parisian Desserts and Other Delights. She’s won the James Beard Foundation M.F.K. Fisher Award for Distinguished Writing and a Gourmand World Cookbook Award. We share so much including a passion for good food, our love for cooking for our families and our love for Paris and for each other. Preorder Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
31min•Mar 10, 2026
Peter Sarsgaard On Bees And A Bear

Peter Sarsgaard On Bees And A Bear

In this bonus episode of Ruthie's Table 4, actor Peter Sarsgaard explains the joys of beekeeping, as well as the challenges of protecting his hives from hungry bears. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
7min•Mar 6, 2026
Peter Sarsgaard

Peter Sarsgaard

I know Peter Sarsgaard as an incredible actor from films and series such as 'Dopesick', 'Shattered Glass', 'The Batman', and most recently, 'The Bride' - a film made by his wife, Maggie Gyllenhaal. I also know him as a friend. Today, he's here at the River Cafe, to talk about childhood memories of eating crawdads in Mississippi, hearing his daughter play Tchaikovsky, growing corn outside his garage, and the importance of performance. Preorder Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
37min•Mar 3, 2026
Mayor Daniel Lurie

Mayor Daniel Lurie

Mayor Daniel Lurie understands what makes a great city. This episode was recorded in his office in the City Hall of San Francisco. We're here to talk about the role of food, memories of his grandmother's meatballs, the diversity of San Francisco's restaurants, and why he thinks he has the best job in politics. Watch this episode, and the rest of the series, on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RuthiesTable4Pod Preorder Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
36min•Feb 24, 2026
Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

For over 20 years as the head of Qatar Museums, Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has transformed the nation's artistic landscape through landmark institutions such as The Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar. Her work has profoundly influenced the culture and global identity of the Middle East. Today, she’s here at The River Cafe to talk about her own vision of museums, her childhood memories of cooking in the desert, the cuisine of her region, and how she views food and art, food and culture, food and family. Watch this episode, and the rest of the series, on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RuthiesTable4Pod See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
28min•Feb 17, 2026
Bonus: Valentine's Day At The River Cafe

Bonus: Valentine's Day At The River Cafe

Executive chefs Sian Wyn Owen and Joseph Trivelli take us behind the scenes of The River Cafe on Valentine’s Day - how they choose the menus, how to cook their perfect Valentine’s dishes, romantic décor, proposals, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12min•Feb 14, 2026
Wes Anderson At Gagosian, Paris

Wes Anderson At Gagosian, Paris

My friend Wes Anderson is the director of so many wonderful movies: Rushmore, The French Dispatch, The Grand Budapest Hotel to name a few - and most recently The Phoenician Scheme. Today though, we are sitting in, not watching, Wes's latest work, The House on Utopia Parkway, curated with Jasper Sharp. This is a beautiful recreation of the studio of Joseph Cornell now showing at the Gagosian Gallery in Paris. There is a strong connection between the curator and the artist, and Wes and I will talk about creating intriguing art, cooking delicious food, and making extraordinary movies. Watch this episode, and the rest of the series, on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RuthiesTable4Pod See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
18min•Feb 10, 2026
Emerald Fennell

Emerald Fennell

Emerald Fennell is a director (‘Promising Young Woman’ and ‘Saltburn’), actor (Camilla in ‘The Crown’), writer (‘Killing Eve’), and my friend. Now, we are all waiting breathlessly for her latest film, Wuthering Heights, which she has produced, written and directed. Today, we’re together to discuss the importance of food in her movies, memories of fish and chips with her parents, the joy of cookies from her children, and much more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
24min•Feb 3, 2026
Andrew Jarecki

Andrew Jarecki

Andrew Jarecki is a landmark figure in documentary filmmaking. His works include Capturing the Friedmans, The Jinx, and most recently the Academy Award-nominated The Alabama Solution, which explores the brutal reality of Alabama’s prison system through unprecedented, inmate-captured footage. In this episode, Andrew joins Ruthie to talk how his childhood passion for magic led to his first documentary, relocating to Rome and rediscovering Italian food, and the importance of finding optimism in his films. Preorder Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
28min•Jan 27, 2026
Bonus: What’s New At The River Cafe

Bonus: What’s New At The River Cafe

A new year, a new wood oven, and the return of agretti and blood oranges to The River Cafe. Preorder Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
7min•Jan 23, 2026
Jeremy King

Jeremy King

Jeremy King is London’s most influential and important restaurateur. If, as I firmly believe, restaurants are crucial to the life of a city, Jeremy is crucial to this one. He created Le Caprice, The Ivy, The Wolseley, now The Park and The Arlington. In March he will open Simpsons In The Strand. Today, he and I are going to talk about how it all began, how he remembers the past and envisions the future, the ingredients of a great restaurant, and most of all, his brilliant new book – Without Reservation: Lessons from a Life in Restaurants. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
38min•Jan 20, 2026
Bonus: Laurene Powell Jobs In Conversation With Ruthie Rogers & Ed Ruscha

Bonus: Laurene Powell Jobs In Conversation With Ruthie Rogers & Ed Ruscha

Live onstage in Los Angeles, Laurene talks to Ed and Ruthie about the creative process behind their new book, Squeeze Me. Packed with fifty inventive recipes, the book casts the lemon as the star of sweet and savoury dishes alike. Order here: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook Originally recorded on Sunday, 7th December 2025 by Live Talks Los Angeles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
32min•Jan 16, 2026
Rt Hon Gordon Brown

Rt Hon Gordon Brown

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown joins Ruthie to share memories of his childhood in Scotland, accidentally hosting a burglar in the family home, the highs and lows of hospital food, and his work today on global education and poverty. Preorder Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
32min•Jan 13, 2026
Bonus: Gabriela Hearst on running her business

Bonus: Gabriela Hearst on running her business

Gabriela and Ruthie discuss their experiences of setting up a business, and the importance of investing in staff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6min•Jan 9, 2026
Gabriela Hearst

Gabriela Hearst

Uruguayan-born luxury fashion designer Gabriela Hearst talks to Ruthie about running her family’s 17,000-acre ranch, the importance of sustainability and natural materials in her work, and her passion for food both at home and abroad. Preorder Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
47min•Jan 6, 2026
Bonus: Lemons

Bonus: Lemons

Ruthie is joined by Sian Owen and Joseph Trivelli, the River Cafe executive chefs, to talk about her latest book Squeeze Me, a collaboration with Ed Ruscha, celebrating lemons with photographs and River Cafe recipes. Order here: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
20min•Jan 2, 2026