Ruthie Rogers, the culinary mastermind behind London's iconic River Cafe, shares her journey from Woodstock to establishing a beloved eatery. She reminisces about the memorable meals prepared for famous faces and the invaluable cooking lessons taught by her grandmother. Listeners will enjoy her tales of culinary connections, her delightful trio of desserts, and even her unique take on planning a last supper by the season! Ruthie's charm and passion for food make this conversation a feast for the ears.
Ruthie Rogers' culinary journey is deeply influenced by her immigrant background and family memories, shaping her Italian cooking style.
The launch of Ruthie's podcast during the pandemic highlights her desire to connect with others through food stories and shared experiences.
Deep dives
Cooking for a Culinary Legend
Jessie Ware expresses her excitement and nervousness about cooking for Ruth Rogers, a prominent figure in British Italian cuisine and co-founder of the River Cafe. Ware plans to make Marbella chicken, a personal favorite, despite initially feeling unsure about the choice, especially given Rogers' Italian roots. The conversation highlights the balance of thematic culinary influences, as Ware grapples with the appropriateness of the dish and whether spaghetti or pesto rice fits the occasion. Ultimately, she embraces her dish, emphasizing the importance of good ingredients and personal connections in cooking.
Ruth Rogers' Culinary Journey
Ruth Rogers shares her journey from being born in Woodstock, New York, to becoming a celebrated chef in the UK, underscoring the significant influence of her family's immigrant background. Her culinary style is deeply rooted in Italian cuisine, largely shaped by her husband Richard's Italian heritage and the profound lessons learned from his mother's cooking. Rogers reflects on her childhood memories associated with food, such as enjoying corn on the cob during summer and the communal aspects of family meals that foster love and connection. These experiences inform her approach to cooking and the way she has built the River Cafe into a beloved establishment.
Signature Dishes and Memorable Experiences
The discussion features Ruthie’s fondness for traditional Italian dishes and her favorite meals that evoke nostalgia, such as the olive oil on bruschetta that transports her back to her early encounters with Italy. She fondly recalls celebrating family occasions with meals such as boiled lobster and clams, highlighting the significance of food in creating treasured memories. As she and Jessie discuss their shared passion for simple, high-quality ingredients, they delve into classic recipes like chocolate nemesis and frangipane tart that embody simplicity yet showcase culinary finesse. Rogers emphasizes how using the best ingredients, regardless of price, can elevate even the simplest of dishes to exceptional levels.
The Evolution of Podcasting in Culinary Culture
Ruth Rogers discusses the unexpectedly fruitful launch of her podcast during the pandemic, which began as a way to connect with patrons while the River Cafe was closed. She shares anecdotes about having notable guests like Paul McCartney and Emily Blunt, which reveals the joy and experience of engaging with celebrities through food stories. The podcast was inspired by the desire to bridge culinary expertise with personal narratives, offering a platform for relatable and heartfelt conversations around food. This initiative has not only deepened her connection to her community but also provided a beloved outlet for storytelling during challenging times.
We have the ‘Baroness of the Riverside’ on the podcast this week, the legendary Ruthie Rogers of the River Cafe in London. I made Ruthie Marbella chicken for lunch, and she brought a delicious trio of River Cafe puds for us to taste - including the iconic Chocolate Nemesis! Ruthie knows absolutely everyone and we loved hearing all her stories of the incredible people she has cooked for. We also learned she was taught all her cooking tricks from her grandma, she was born in Woodstock, New York, she developed a podcast in lockdown, and she is our only guest who has ever asked what season of the year her last supper would take place in! We could listen and talk to Ruthie all day! Ruthie’s podcast ‘Table 4’ is available everywhere now.