
Ruthie's Table 4
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.
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Latest episodes

Apr 14, 2025 • 33min
David Chipperfield
A few months ago, my friend David Chipperfield, the Pritzker and Stirling Prize-winning architect, asked me to support the work his foundation is doing on the food markets in Galicia. So here I am, in north-west Spain, to talk with him in front of an audience for a special live event. David's introduction to Galicia was 33 years ago on a visit to Corrubedo, a small seaside village, where he and his wife Evelyn created a home. Now they have a small bar in the middle of the village. David is as passionate about Galicia's farm-to-table culture as he is about its people. For him, it's all part of the same conversation. Conversation that I am so excited and grateful to be having here with him in Casa Ria.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14 snips
Apr 7, 2025 • 36min
Amanda Sharp
Amanda Sharp, co-founder of the Frieze Art Fair, shares her intriguing blend of art and food, expressing how they are two sides of the same coin. She fondly recalls her childhood meals and the nostalgic flavors that shaped her creativity. Amanda discusses the vibrant 90s art scene in London, highlighting the emergence of innovative artists and her role in launching 'Freeze.' With a focus on community and collaboration, she emphasizes the importance of shared meals and their connection to both culinary and artistic experiences.

Apr 3, 2025 • 5min
Bonus Episode - Cigar Ice Cream with Rian Johnson
In this bonus episode, writer-director Rian Johnson tells Ruthie about the time he infused ice cream with tobacco, as well as debating the ultimate chocolate chip cookie recipe. Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 31, 2025 • 36min
Rian Johnson
My friend Glenn Close brought Rian Johnson to the River Cafe when they were filming Wake Up Dead Man, the third Knives Out movie. For the rest of the summer, he was what we call a regular. Yesterday, sending me photos of her new grandson, these were Glenn’s words: ‘Working with Rian is the highlight of my career. He wrote a great script, cast an amazing stable of actors and set us on a sublime adventure together. Rian is a master storyteller who makes work both serious and wildly fun. I am honoured to call him a friend’. In today’s episode, Rian and I are here at the River Cafe to talk about family and friends, movies and food, his father's influence on his career, and his earliest film memory: being put in the car to see Star Wars, aged five. It's going to be serious and, hopefully, wildly fun. Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 27, 2025 • 4min
Bonus Episode - Salsa Verde with Angus Collins
In this bonus episode, record-setting ocean rower Angus Collins talks about salsa verde, the emotional toll after completing a crossing, and the food he looks forward to most when stepping back on dry land. Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 25, 2025 • 32min
Angus Collins
Angus Collins has been hailed as the greatest ocean rower of our time, setting records for the fastest and youngest four man crossing of any ocean. He's rowed across the Atlantic not once, but twice, and faster than anyone before him. And he's not finished yet. In a few months, Angus is aiming to be the first to row solo and unsupported around Great Britain. But today he isn't going anywhere. He's here at the River Cafe to talk about endurance, motivation, mental health, his love for the sea, and the food which sustains him there. He's my friend. I'm excited. Let's explore. Find out more about Angus' charity work at www.gbodyssey.com Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 20, 2025 • 7min
Bonus Episode - Tagliarini with Luca Guadagnino
In this bonus episode of Ruthie's Table 4, BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated director Luca Guadagnino discusses pasta and the diversity of Italian food from different regions. Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 18, 2025 • 45min
Luca Guadagnino
What I know about Luca Guadagnino is, of course, the films he's made. But what I know from Luca is how passionate he is about food. Friends tell me Luca has three kitchens at his home in Piemonte, including one elaborately equipped for pastries, and a special room for keeping vinegar and dried herbs from his garden. Food not only plays a strong role in his home life, but an important role in his films, conveying sensuous desire and transformation. We're here today, in the one kitchen I have in my home, to talk about food, memories, film and family. A beginning to a new friendship, one cook to another. Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 11, 2025 • 34min
Bella Freud
Whenever I'm with Bella Freud, which isn't often enough, I always wish I could see more of her. Bella and I share the same social values and beliefs, and we pursued careers which are both fleeting but lasting: She is in fashion, and I'm in food. A meal is a moment, and an outfit changes daily. In our early years, Bella's father, Lucian Freud, came almost every day to The River Cafe. When with Bella, we were told never to interrupt, as this was their precious time. Now when Bella comes with her friends, I always wish I could whisk her away and have her all to myself. Today, on Table 4, I finally do. Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 4, 2025 • 35min
Alastair Campbell
People often say they'd be too nervous to cook a meal for me, so imagine how I feel interviewing Alastair Campbell, co-host of The Rest Is Politics, one of the UK's top podcasts. Alistair is a journalist, author, broadcaster, and defining political figure of our time. I've known him since the early days of New Labour, where he was Director of Communications and Strategy at the heart of it all. He's also been a prominent mental health activist and joins me today in The River Cafe to talk about food, family, values, and even busking in the south of France with his bagpipes. How do I really feel about hosting him today? I'm not nervous at all, just honoured and excited. Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.