The connections between Scott Rothkopf, Director of New York’s Whitney Museum, and I run deep. When Rose and I wrote the first River Cafe Cookbook in 1994, Scott’s husband, Jonathan Burnham, helped us with our introduction. Museums and restaurants are about connecting art and people. They welcome people into a space and create something beautiful to see, or cook something delicious for them to eat. This is what my friend Scott and I do every day, and this is what we will talk about today. A deep connection, indeed. Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Me+EmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When Elton John agrees to do a podcast, you go to wherever he is. So a few weeks ago, I travelled to Elton and David Furnish’s beautiful home in Berkshire. We sat around his wooden dining table, tried to think of songs with lyrics of food (‘Blueberry Hill’, ‘Sugar Sugar’), talked about shelling peas with his grandmother, the first meal he and David shared (at the same table) and much more. What was meant to be a half hour conversation stretched to an hour. His assistant, who joined us, said in 20 years of interviews, she had never heard many of the stories he told. That’s what food does for memories - and what our podcast is all about. Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Me+Em.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The world knows Kristin Scott Thomas as an actress, starring in films such as The English Patient, Four Weddings and a Funeral, and most recently, playing Diana Tarverner in Slow Horses. Having lived in Paris for decades, Kristin is passionate about French cuisine and culture, and today at The River Cafe we speak about how food, France, and family have all played a role in her journey. Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We return with our guest this week, former Prime Minister Tony Blair. In the second episode of the new series, Tony Blair reminisces about food in politics, from the 'memorable’ meals he made his children at Chequers to dining with Heads of State, including the late Queen Elizabeth II. Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our first guest in the new series is film director Guillermo Del Toro. Guillermo has taken us into his world, often surreal, mystical, and sometimes dark, through his hugely successful films. But today, he joins us in The River Cafe to talk about the foods of his childhood in Mexico, the foods in his movies, and how food is often used to build trust between his characters. Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In our second ‘Best Of,’ and final episode for this season, we’re revisiting some memorable conversations with Linda Evangelista, Eric Ripert, Stephen Fry, Gary Lineker, and Laura Dern—it’s been a great series. Please remember to keep sending your suggestions for Season 4. ruthiestable4@gmail.com Back in October.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Forty-three episodes later, Ruthie’s Table 4 is taking a break before starting Season 4 in October. Well, not really a break, as over the next two weeks you will have ‘Best Of’ compilations from Season 3, followed by some of our favourite episodes from all the series. Today we feature excerpts from Sarah Jessica Parker, Guy Ritchie, Wyclef Jean, Carey Mulligan and Tom Hollander. An immeasurable thank you to you ALL for being the greatest listeners ever. And should you have thoughts or suggestions for Ruthie’s Table 4 please contact me: ruthiestable4@gmail.com. Ruthie’s Table 4 is made in partnership with Moncler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A few months ago in The River Cafe, after talking about raising children in a tumultuous world, the movies we've been watching, and above all, where and what we've been eating, Keira Knightley, James Righton and I vowed to do an episode of Ruthie’s Table 4 together. Schedules, families, work and travel got in the way until finally we reunited to talk about their many worlds—connected by their love of people, their love of food, and their love for each other. Ruthie’s Table 4 is made in partnership with Moncler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the past weeks I have been listening to Griffin Dunne’s interviews, watching his films, and most of all, reading his beautiful new memoir, ‘The Friday Afternoon Club,’ with stories about growing up in a family full of storytellers. Cooking is telling a story, eating together is telling a story, going to a food market in Naples, is telling a story. When Griffin told his brother Alex he was going to write a book about their family, he responded, ‘You can say anything you want, but say it from a place of love.’ Today, Griffin and I are going to talk about food and family, food and friends, food and memories—from a place of love. Ruthie’s Table 4 is made in partnership with Moncler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Have you ever heard a recipe rapped by one of the world’s greatest musicians? You will on this week’s episode of Ruthie’s Table 4 with her guest Wyclef Jean. Wyclef emigrated age nine from Haiti to the Brooklyn projects, played fourteen instruments by the time he was thirteen, won three Grammys, speaks seven languages, and was asked to run for President at least two times. After the recipe rap, Wyclef tells the stories of his life in food, music and memories. Ruthie’s Table 4 is made in partnership with Moncler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When I’m asked why I love Mexico, the answer is the culture, cities, food, the seas, the mountains, and the history. But what I really love most are the people, and Frida Escobedo is one of those people. A prominent architect in today’s world, Frida is reimagining the contemporary and modern galleries at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, the first woman architect ever to be appointed to do so. From reinventing the world-renowned Centre Pompidou in Paris to designing the Serpentine Gallery’s annual Summer Pavilion, Frida’s unique vision now influences many of the most iconic architectural landmarks of our time. Today, in The River Cafe, we’re making deep-fried zucchini flowers—their stunning colours remind me of our beautiful Mexico, and when she’s not with me, they remind me Frida. Ruthie’s Table 4 is made in partnership with Moncler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Every year must be an anniversary for someone like Maria Sharapova, who hit her first tennis ball at the age of four, was spotted by Martina Navratilova age six, and became one of only ten women in history to win a career Grand Slam when she was 25. But this year is especially special. Maria is celebrating 20 years since winning against Serena Williams on Centre Court, becoming, at just 17, Wimbledon Champion. Today we are here at The River Cafe to celebrate - two women talking about food and memories, with stories to tell. Ruthie’s Table 4 is made in partnership with Moncler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It was in our private dining room three years ago when I wrote to Ridley Scott asking if he’d be the first guest for a podcast idea I’d had about food and memories. Ridley wrote back saying, ‘Yes Ruthie but I’m directing Gucci.’ A year later, ‘Yes Ruthie but I’m directing Napoleon.’ A year later, ‘Yes Ruthie but I’m directing The Bee Gees.’ Then a few days ago, whilst sitting in the River Cafe garden with his family, he drew a beautiful drawing on the wine list with the words: ‘Ruthie, how about next Tuesday?’ Ruthie’s Table 4 is made in partnership with Moncler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Quite often, people say to me, ‘I couldn’t possibly have you to dinner, you’re the chef of the river café, cooking for you would be overwhelming.’ That’s how I feel about introducing Sir David Hare. How do you write for one of the greatest writers of our generation? Whether he's scripting acclaimed plays like Skylight, Plenty, Stuff Happens, or movies like The White Crow, Denial, or The Reader, David is nothing short of a master of the written word. But I do think David and I have much in common. We both like being hosts; me, in The River Cafe, and David at his home, where he understands the theatre of sitting at a table. We both know that if food brings a table to life, so do the people around it. Today, we are here together in the River Cafe to talk about food, memories, theatre, travel and more. It would be natural to feel overwhelmed, but David makes it easy, and I just feel delighted, and lucky, to have him here. Ruthie's Table 4 is made in partnership with Moncler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tina Fey has been on Ruthie's Table 4 before and she is, in fact, our first returning guest. When we first met, she spoke about food being a major part of her life, but she only brought one half of her team. The other half, Jeff Richmond, is here with us now. A composer, producer, director, Jeff is Tina's creative partner, and he's her husband. He says he does all the cooking. Tina and Jeff have collaborated on almost everything, and now they're here in London to open the Mean Girls Musical at the Savoy theatre. I will be there on opening night. Today we're going to talk about working with someone you love, music and comedy, cooking and eating together, and more... Ruthie’s Table 4 is made in partnership with Moncler. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jane Hartley was the American ambassador to France and Monaco, and now to the Court of Saint James. In the two years she has spent in the United Kingdom so far, Jane has had two monarchs, three prime ministers, four chancellors, and a late-stage pandemic. She has the qualities necessary for the role in abundance: leadership, resilience, duty. I know her as a close friend, and though I always introduce Jane as Ambassador Hartley, my nickname for her is Miss Sparkle. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her without sequins on a sweater, dress, earrings, or even the shoes she’s wearing today. Now, we’re going to get together to talk about work, duty, family and food. I know she will be informed, and I know she will sparkle. Ruthie’s Table 4 is made in partnership with Moncler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A few weeks ago, I was invited to a gala dinner at the National Theatre. The host of my table, Yana Peel, said she was sitting me next to a young filmmaker who had recently won a BAFTA. Then I met an artist whose work had just been exhibited at Hauser & Wirth Gallery in Los Angeles, and is about to be shown at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Then I met a champion volleyball player who, aged 18, represented Britain in the 2012 London Olympics. Today in The River Cafe, I'm about to talk with all three as Savanah Leaf incredibly, is them all. The London-born, California-raised athlete turned artist, who still only 30, has just won the BAFTA for Best British debut Director for her powerful film Earth Mama. The executive chef of The River Cafe Sian Owen is joining us, now we are five. A Cook, an artist, a director, an athlete and me. Women rule.Ruthie’s Table 4 is made in partnership with Moncler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you find yourself on a mountain needing a ski jacket, going to a party needing something beautiful to wear, or in Paris or Milan craving perfect fish, the man to meet is Remo Ruffini, CEO and Chairman of Moncler co-owner of Langosteria restaurants in cities all over the world.Remo is dynamic, elegant and a visionary, putting sustainability at the heart of the company. His leadership is a manifestation of Moncler’s ethos, dreaming big and bringing those dreams to life. Today I'm in Milan for Design Week. Moncler has taken over the central train station to launch its latest campaign, An Invitation to Dream, curated by Jefferson Hack. I'm in Remo’s home celebrating fashion, innovation, inspiration and daring to dream. Ruthie’s Table 4 is made in partnership with Moncler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We've only just met, but I'm confident Claire Saffitz and I will be friends Claire shares the challenges of baking and life in general. She's a star in a new era of food writers who are experts in their knowledge, passionate about their craft, rigorous about their work. Claire majored in history and literature at Harvard, then one day, almost by accident, she became the host of her own cooking show. She has written two cookbooks, Dessert Person and What's For Dessert, both New York Times bestsellers. I've come to New York to meet Claire - we have a lot to discuss.This episode of Ruthie's Table 4 is made in partnership with Moncler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
My brother, Michael Elias, a writer and director tells me when visitors come to the set of a film, nothing stops. The only exception is if they are athletes.Maybe it’s because everyone thinks, if pressed, they could act, sing or dance, but never run a race, ski downhill or score a goal. When Gary Lineker, one of the great footballers of our time, walks into The River Cafe everything stops. He is one of the very few footballers never to have received a red or yellow card — consistent with who he is: principled, respectful and fair — values we share. We’re also both in the world of podcasts - his company Goal Hanger has 18 million listeners a month. Gary and I also share the world of food. Look at his Instagram account and you will see as many photographs of what he is cooking as the games he is analysing on Match of the Day. Today, Gary is in The River Cafe kitchen with Joseph Trivelli making Potato Gnocchi with tomato sauce. When he comes back I will definitely stop what I’m doing to talk to him about food, football, family and principles. It’s a goal.Ruthie's Table 4 is made in partnership with Moncler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Shakiba
jake Gyllenhaal 😍