Ruthie's Table 4

This week, we’re looking back at Gary Lineker’s visit to The River Cafe.

Over the table, we travelled from his childhood in Leicester and the food of his mother’s kitchen to the football pitches of Barcelona. We talked about fame, family, and the importance of speaking out for refugees and compassion. Gary made potato gnocchi with tomato sauce alongside our chef Joseph Trivelli, and revealed his love of cottage pie.

Hit FOLLOW to make sure you never miss an episode, and join the Ruthie’s Table 4 community on social.

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This week, we’re looking back to the summer morning we shared with Cate Blanchett, who joined me at The River Cafe after her run in Thomas Ostermeier’s The Seagull.

We talked about the pleasures of touring a play, growing up between American and Australian food traditions, silent meals after losing her father, teenage dinner parties inspired by a Salvador Dalí cookbook, the joys of growing food, and her love of sake. 

Hit FOLLOW to make sure you never miss an episode, and join the Ruthie’s Table 4 community on social.

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Shop River Café Books and more… www.shoptherivercafe.co.uk

Contact us: ⁠Ruthiestable4pod@gmail.com

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This week, we’re revisiting our live episode with Sarah Jessica Parker. And what a guest she was.

Sarah has always had a deep love of food, so we had plenty to talk about: from the role of food in Sex and the City, where so many memorable conversations unfolded around a meal, to growing up as one of eight children and cooking every night with Matthew Broderick.

She cooked puntarelle in the kitchen with Sian Wyn Owen, took questions from our audience, shared her thoughts on airplane food, revealed her perfect pork chops, and her devotion to Burford eggs.

Hit FOLLOW to make sure you never miss an episode, and join the Ruthie’s Table 4 community on social.

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Shop River Café Books and more… www.shoptherivercafe.co.uk

Contact us: ⁠Ruthiestable4pod@gmail.com

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During our between-season break, we’re revisiting some of our favourite conversations from the Ruthie’s Table 4 archive.

This week, we're looking back to when Benedict Cumberbatch joined me at The River Cafe to talk about Negronis with Wes Anderson, growing up in a theatrical family, body transformations, and cooking for his children.

Hit FOLLOW to make sure you never miss an episode, and join the Ruthie’s Table 4 community on social.

⁠Instagram: instagram.com/ruthiestable4

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YouTube: youtube.com/@RuthiesTable4Pod

Shop River Café Books and more… www.shoptherivercafe.co.uk

Contact us: ⁠Ruthiestable4pod@gmail.com

Credits

Presented by Ruthie Rogers: instagram.com/ruthierogers

Production Manager: Bella Salini

YouTube Editor: Andrew Tsang

Producers: Alex Bell & Robbie Hamilton

Editors: Alex Bell and Julia Johnson

Executive Producers: Ruthie Rogers, Zad Rogers

Recorded at: River Café: https://www.rivercafe.co.uk/

Ruthie’s Table 4 is an Atomized Studios production: https://www.atomizedstudios.tv/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we look forward to Series 6 in October, we’re revisiting some of our favourite episodes of Ruthie’s Table 4.

Zoe Saldaña was a force from the moment she entered the restaurant back in 2025. She told us stories about her grandmother’s coconut desserts, how her family dances through life, and what it was like growing up in Queens.

We talked about Caribbean soups, Dominican cooking and New York pizza — and by the end of the episode, we were all ready to eat.

Hit FOLLOW to make sure you never miss an episode, and join the Ruthie’s Table 4 community on social.

⁠Instagram: instagram.com/ruthiestable4

TikTok: tiktok.com/@ruthiestable4

YouTube: youtube.com/@RuthiesTable4Pod

Shop River Café Books and more… www.shoptherivercafe.co.uk

Contact us: ⁠Ruthiestable4pod@gmail.com

Recorded at: River Café: https://www.rivercafe.co.uk/

Ruthie’s Table 4 is an Atomized Studios production: https://www.atomizedstudios.tv/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether in film, music, books or television, food can be a source of inspiration or integral to the way we work.

In this special compilation episode of Ruthie's Table 4, we're talking about the shared ingredients of what we do, with Gayle King, Mark Ronson, Graham Norton, Emerald Fennell – the director of Wuthering Heights, and Patrick Radden Keefe – the author of London Falling.

Hit FOLLOW to make sure you never miss an episode, and join the Ruthie’s Table 4 community on social.

⁠Instagram: instagram.com/ruthiestable4

TikTok: tiktok.com/@ruthiestable4

YouTube: youtube.com/@RuthiesTable4Pod

Shop River Café Books and more… www.shoptherivercafe.co.uk

Contact us: ⁠Ruthiestable4pod@gmail.com

Credits

Presented by Ruthie Rogers: instagram.com/ruthierogers

Production Manager: Bella Salini

YouTube Editor: Andrew Tsang

Producers: Alex Bell & Robbie Hamilton

Editors: Alex Bell and Julia Johnson

Executive Producers: Ruthie Rogers, Zad Rogers

Recorded at: River Café: https://www.rivercafe.co.uk/

Ruthie’s Table 4 is an Atomized Studios production: https://www.atomizedstudios.tv/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I've always thought we judge a culture by the way we feed our poor, our sick and our prisoners.

In this special compilation episode of Ruthie's Table 4, we're talking about food and politics, in conversation with Jacinda Ardern, documentary filmmaker Andrew Jarecki, CBS conflict producer Erin Lyall, writer and critic Hilton Als, Annie Leibovitz, and Kamala Harris.

Hit FOLLOW to make sure you never miss an episode, and join the Ruthie’s Table 4 community on social.

⁠Instagram: instagram.com/ruthiestable4

TikTok: tiktok.com/@ruthiestable4

YouTube: youtube.com/@RuthiesTable4Pod

Shop River Café Books and more… www.shoptherivercafe.co.uk

Contact us: ⁠Ruthiestable4pod@gmail.com

Credits

Presented by Ruthie Rogers: instagram.com/ruthierogers

Production Manager: Bella Salini

YouTube Editor: Andrew Tsang

Producers: Alex Bell & Robbie Hamilton

Editors: Alex Bell and Julia Johnson

Executive Producers: Ruthie Rogers, Zad Rogers

Recorded at: River Café: https://www.rivercafe.co.uk/

Ruthie’s Table 4 is an Atomized Studios production: https://www.atomizedstudios.tv/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It may come as no surprise that I have a special interest in restaurants. The River Café is where I work, where I record this podcast, and where I spend so much of my life.

In this special compilation episode of Ruthie’s Table 4, we’re talking about restaurants—how to run them and why they matter—with stories and memories from Piers Morgan, Jamie Oliver, Marina Hyde and Richard Osman, Tracey Emin, and Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber.

Hit FOLLOW to make sure you never miss an episode, and join the Ruthie’s Table 4 community on social.

⁠Instagram: instagram.com/ruthiestable4

TikTok: tiktok.com/@ruthiestable4

YouTube: youtube.com/@RuthiesTable4Pod

Shop River Café Books and more… www.shoptherivercafe.co.uk

Contact us: ⁠Ruthiestable4pod@gmail.com

Credits

Presented by Ruthie Rogers: instagram.com/ruthierogers

Production Manager: Bella Salini

YouTube Editor: Andrew Tsang

Producers: Alex Bell & Robbie Hamilton

Editors: Alex Bell and Julia Johnson

Executive Producers: Ruthie Rogers, Zad Rogers

Recorded at: River Café: https://www.rivercafe.co.uk/

Ruthie’s Table 4 is an Atomized Studios production: https://www.atomizedstudios.tv/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Childhood kitchens, our parents' cooking—the food we eat when we're young stays with us for life. This special compilation of Ruthie's Table 4 celebrates food and childhood, featuring memories from Kamala Harris, Mayor Sadiq Khan, architect Ab Rogers, Marina Hyde and Richard Osman, and Rashida Jones.

Hit FOLLOW to make sure you never miss an episode, and join the Ruthie’s Table 4 community on social.

⁠Instagram: instagram.com/ruthiestable4

TikTok: tiktok.com/@ruthiestable4

YouTube: youtube.com/@RuthiesTable4Pod

Shop River Café Books and more… www.shoptherivercafe.co.uk

Contact us: ⁠Ruthiestable4pod@gmail.com

Credits

Presented by Ruthie Rogers: instagram.com/ruthierogers

Production Manager: Bella Salini

YouTube Editor: Andrew Tsang

Producers: Alex Bell & Robbie Hamilton

Editors: Alex Bell and Julia Johnson

Executive Producers: Ruthie Rogers, Zad Rogers

Recorded at: River Café: https://www.rivercafe.co.uk/

Ruthie’s Table 4 is an Atomized Studios production: https://www.atomizedstudios.tv/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a farewell to series 5, I'm joined by Sian Wyn Owen to take you behind the scenes at The River Café during the recent heatwaves this summer—what we cooked and how we served.

And Season 6 is on the way, starting off with the stars of Only Murders in the Building, Steve Martin and Martin Short, in an episode full of laughter, food memories, and banjo playing.

See you in October!

Order Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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Dorothée Boissier is an interior designer and co-founder of the Gilles & Boissier studio. Together with her husband, Patrick Gilles, she creates exquisite architecture and interiors around the world.

Today, we're at Moncler's beautiful flagship store on the Champs-Élysées, designed by Dorothée and Patrick. We'll talk about Paris, food, their creative partnership, and the art of designing restaurants.

Order Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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Good food and good clothes should do the same thing: make you feel instantly comfortable, confident, and completely at home.

In this episode Ruthie sits down with Clare Hornby, the visionary entrepreneur founder and CEO of ME+EM. Clare has built the UK's fastest-growing luxury label by mastering "intelligent style" -creating crafted, functional wardrobes for women.

Bound by a shared love for exceptional ingredients in food and fashion, Ruthie and Clare talk about friendship, building a business from scratch, the food memories that shape them, and much much more.

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Ruthie speaks to her brother, screenwriter and author Michael Elias, about his latest novel, Bender's LA.

In the coke-dusted canyons and deal-making rooms of 1970s Los Angeles, writer David Bender sets out to remake his life - romantically, professionally, and spiritually - after his wife walks out in Puerto Vallarta with a single sentence and a suitcase.

Order a copy now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Benders-L-Michael-Elias/dp/B0GWC41TVM

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Zanny Minton Beddoes and I have different professions, and different workplaces. As editor-in-chief of The Economist, hers is in the newsroom mine is the kitchen.

But we have much in common, sharing a message of honesty - me with ingredients, Zanny with words. 
 
And we both have time limits - in the case of this conversation, just 20 minutes which we recorded live onstage at the Google Zeitgeist conference. In this brief time, we explored her work and life through the lens of food.

And what a life it is.

Order Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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Ab Rogers explains his fascination with wine and why he prefers grapes that have had to fight for their survival.

Order Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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Ab Rogers is a visionary designer. He is also my stepson.

For over 50 years, we’ve been side by side, taking adventures together. 

Today, we’re together in the River Cafe to share  stories  - memories of his father and my husband Richard Rogers - travels, families, work and food.

We will also talk about five women who inspired the way he cooks, and the creative methods he uses to bring ingredients together, creating some of the most delicious food I’ve eaten in my life.

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Erin Lyall, a conflict producer for CBS News, reveals what it's like to eat with soldiers, how an army feeds itself, and how she personally recovers after the strain of working in a war zone.

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As a conflict producer for CBS News, Erin Lyall has eaten with Ukrainian soldiers on the freezing front line, cooked with families in their homes in Gaza, and shared meals on the battlefields of Syria and Iraq with bullets sounding in the distance.

From these experiences in the field, Erin created Food Under Fire, a unique food blog featuring recipes, anecdotes, and portraits of the people she's met on her journalistic travels.

Today, we're together in the safety of the River Café to talk about how food can bring us together, both in war and in peace.

Order Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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Graham Norton reveals what he learned from working in restaurants, what he noticed about tricky customers, and why he would recommend the experience to everyone.

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This week marks a very special occasion. My friend, Mel Brooks, is turning 100.

For the best part of a century, he has lit up the world with his warmth and humour, delighting audiences as a writer, director, actor and comedian. From The ProducersandBlazing Saddlesto Young Frankenstein, his unique talents have left an indelible mark on film, television and theatre.
To celebrate Mel, we're going to revisit some of the best moments from his wonderful appearance on Ruthie's Table 4, back in 2023 - one of my favourite ever episodes.

We talk about the food of his childhood in Brooklyn, keeping carp in the bathtub, eating in the army, his friendship with Cary Grant, his uncanny impression of a cat, and many more memories from one of the greatest storytellers of our time.

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To be a truly great host, as Graham Norton is every week on his television sofa, you have to understand and genuinely like people. It's the same for me at the River Café. There's no such thing as a difficult customer. Everybody has a story, and every table is a world.

Usually it's Graham asking the questions, but today, he's answering mine—about his early years in an American commune, his time working in restaurants, cooking, writing, and the art of hosting.

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Last September, at the Venice Film Festival, I went to see Agon — a radical and powerful film. Afterwards, I immediately changed my schedule to attend a dinner for its director, Giulio Bertelli.

Today, Giulio and I are back together in Hammersmith to discuss his filmmaking, the food of his childhood in Milan, his time as a professional sailor, the history of food and seafaring, and the company he has built as he looks to food's future.

Order Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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Everyone knows Piers Morgan as a journalist, editor, and fearless interviewer. But I also know him as someone who loves food and can describe in detail what makes a great restaurant.

Today, we're here together to talk about growing up in his family's country pub, the postcard he cherishes from his mother, drinks with Bill Clinton, dining with Tom Hanks, and seeing the glass half full.

Order Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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Ruth Porat - President and Chief Investment Officer of Google and Alphabet - discusses the social responsibilities that come with technological advancement and how AI must be used to tackle society’s most intractable problems.

Order Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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Ruth Porat is the President and Chief Investment Officer of Google and Alphabet. She is also my friend.

Her extraordinary schedule has often kept us thousands of miles apart as she moves across continents, connecting people, ideas, and communities.

But today, we’re together at last - a Ruth and a Ruthie - to talk about the importance of food at Google, her scientific childhood, how her father survived the Holocaust to rebuild his family, and how her grandmother spent her last day showing love through food.

Order Table 4 at The River Cafe -the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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Consello CEO Declan Kelly discusses his decision to become a vegetarian as a teenager in 1980s Ireland, and how he eats today.

Order Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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A few months ago, I met Declan Kelly, founder, Chairman, and CEO of Consello, one of the world’s most influential advisory firms.

The connection between us was immediate, as I discovered a fascinating person with a fascinating life. Born in rural Ireland, from humble beginnings, he became an important journalist, created an influential communications company and in 2007 and 2008 served as one of the leading advisers to Hillary Clinton during her presidential campaign.  

Today he advises some of the most influential people who lead powerful institutions, while mentoring a new generation. 

Order Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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The River Café’s Sian Wyn Owen joins Michael and Lindsay Tusk to discuss the menu she has prepared for the day, the seasonal ingredients she is using, and how she organises a lunch service with her team.

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Chef Michael Tusk and his wife and partner, Lindsay Tusk, believe great food is about simplicity, quality ingredients, and happiness.

A few months ago in San Francisco, I saw this for myself at their restaurants - Quince, Cotogna, and wine bar, Verjus.

Today, on a beautiful spring day at the River Café we will talk about creating food what we look for in a restaurant, and much more.

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Patrick Radden Keefe talks about two contrasting food pleasures - hosting and eating alone.

Order Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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I’ve sometimes wondered whether writing a book might be a bit like cooking a meal.

I create a menu by choosing the ingredients I’m drawn to. In the same way, today’s guest, Patrick Radden Keefe, creates a book by choosing the people he’s drawn to — most recently in his newly published London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family’s Search for Truth.

Today, we’re here together to talk about his latest book, his parents’ second dinner, the mise en place of his writing process, and the ingredients of his stories.

Order Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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Burberry’s Paul Price talks about the restaurants of his past, and his idea to start one in the future.

Order Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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Paul Price is Burberry’s Chief Product Merchandising Officer.

When I asked his friend, film director Andrew Jarecki about him, he said ‘Paul is a tastemaker and a creator. He has reshaped my perception of what life can be, reimagining legendary fashion brands, most recently Burberry, making them newly relevant.”

Paul and I are together to talk about life in fashion, the school lunches leaving paw prints in restaurants, the joy of throwing parties,  and much more.

Order Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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Spring is here, which means it’s asparagus season. In this bonus episode of Ruthie's Table 4, we’re joined by The River Cafe executive chefs Sian Wyn Owen and Joseph Trivelli, to discuss their love of asparagus, and how they like to cook with it.

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Dara Khosrowshahi is known as one of the world’s most influential CEOs. Everyone wants to talk to him about leading a company as huge, and impactful, as Uber.

So do I - but mostly, I want to talk about food: Persian cuisine, memories from his childhood kitchen in Iran, the importance of food when his family fled to America, eating with his father after six years apart, and with his family now.

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Journalists Jorge and Paola Ramos discuss Jorge’s favourite way to welcome Paola home - quesadillas.

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When I was growing up in the sixties, the United States was a tumultuous place. Journalists were heroes, seeking the truth with courage.

So today, when we need them more than ever, it was thrilling to be introduced to two extraordinary journalists: father and daughter, Jorge and Paola Ramos. In their podcast, The Moment, they question, analyse, and report.

We are here together to talk about identity through food, holding power to account and much more.
Heroes indeed.

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Bruce Bozzi discusses the magic of his mother's lasagna.

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A few months ago, I was at Bruce Bozzi's home in Los Angeles. We decided to make a tomato pasta together, and there in the kitchen, we discovered how much we shared. Bruce grew up in an Italian American home, and for many generations, his family co-owned the Palm Restaurant franchise—an American legend.

Now, Bruce and I are together again to talk about grandmothers and great-grandfathers, how growing up with a family restaurant shaped his relationship with his father, and the man he is today.

Preorder Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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Former CEO of MTV Networks, Tom Freston, talks about the joys and the value of bartending.

Order Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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Some weeks ago, I met Tom Freston at a party in London. We immediately started talking—mostly about Unplugged, his brilliant new memoir.

Unplugged is the story of an incredible man who hitchhiked across the Sahara, lived in Kabul, spearheaded the rise of MTV, and even had lunch with Fidel Castro.

Today, here we are: me in London, him in Los Angeles. We'll discuss the adventures from his book—where he's been, what he's learned, and, of course, what he ate along the way.

Order Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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A few weeks ago, just hours before the opening of Jamie’s Italian in Leicester Square, Jamie Oliver joined me at The River Cafe to sit, and to talk.

We turned on the microphones and, in true Table 4 fashion, were soon joined by more friends around the table - Gary Lineker, the presenter, podcaster, and former footballer, and Seth Doane, the Senior Foreign Correspondent for CBS News.

Together, we discussed the restaurant industry, the podcast industry, Italian food trips, the joy of cooking for family, and the experience of writing cookbooks.

Order Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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Tracey discusses how she’s supporting the creative community in her hometown of Margate. This includes the training café A Perfect Place to Grow, for which she donated the building, and TKE Studios, which provides affordable workspaces, free training, and residencies for emerging artists.

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When we first started Ruthie’s Table 4 back in 2021, Tracey Emin was one of the very first people I asked to join me—an artist and a friend I love.

A lot has happened since then, and that’s what we’re talking about today: her new blockbuster exhibition A Second Life, the experience of living with an extreme disease, how it has affected her diet, what she’s feeling, and what she’s doing.

Order Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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In this bonus episode of Ruthie’s Table 4, Mayor Sadiq Khan discusses how mayors from all over  the world connect, learn from one another, and fight for their cities.

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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Gabriela and Ruthie discuss their experiences of setting up a business, and the importance of investing in staff.

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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

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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

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One of the most influential portrait photographers of the last century Annie Leibovitz sits down with Ruthie to talk about her early career at Rolling Stone, the importance of feeding the people she’s shooting, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Preorder Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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Rashida reflects on her father's nocturnal lifestyle, synesthesia and music writing habits.

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Actor, writer and producer Rashida Jones joins Ruthie to discuss her childhood mealtimes in a house with six siblings, her mother’s love of chicken liver and matzo ball soup, and the joy of eating while living in Japan.

Preorder Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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In this bonus episode of Ruthie’s Table 4, we’re talking Christmas at The River Cafe, with our executive chefs Sian Wyn Owen and Joseph Trivelli.

What’s on the menu this December? How do we make it, and why do we love it? All this, and stories of Dada’s Christmas Cake.

Merry Christmas!

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Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, critic and curator Hilton Als speaks to Ruthie about his eccentric jet-lag snacking, the 1980s New York food scene, and curating the Jean Rhys exhibition at Michael Werner Gallery.

Preorder Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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Dame Jacinda Ardern reflects on how she became Prime Minister of New Zealand in unexpected circumstances, the challenges of governing through COVID, and the importance of dignity within the welfare system.

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The former Prime Minister of New Zealand and one of the world’s youngest female leaders Dame Jacinda Ardern talks to Ruthie about becoming a mother in office, her food experiences in London and Arizona, and governing with compassion.

Preorder Table 4 at The River Cafe—the star-studded, food-filled book inspired by the beloved podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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Writer and filmmaker Noah Baumbach joins Ruthie to talk about the role of food in his latest film Jay Kelly, which stars George Clooney as a world-famous actor reflecting on his life, relationships, and legacy, trying to make sense of his past and his present.

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Journalist, broadcaster and ‘America’s best friend' Gayle King joins Ruthie to talk about the Turkish food that shaped her childhood, the origins of her 50-year friendship with Oprah, and the unexpected joy of singing in space with Katy Perry.

Preorder Table 4 at The River Cafe -the book inspired by the podcast: https://bit.ly/Table4AtRiverCafeBook

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One of the world’s most influential and innovative designers Marc Newson joins Ruthie to talk about growing up in rural Australia, designing everything from furniture and watches to restaurants in Japan, and his perfect barbecued steak.

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I’m often asked who would be my dream guest on Ruthie’s Table 4, and this episode with Vice President Kamala Harris is top of the list.

Vice President of The United States, candidate for President, Kamala Harris is passionate about food, and an excellent cook.

She gives us her special recipes for Thanksgiving collard greens, her mother's Smorgasbord and her 'world famous' bolognese.

We discuss the politics of food, the joy of food and expressing love through food - a dream come true. 

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Marina, Richard and Ruthie discuss the secret to hosting a good dinner party, Marina's love for schnitzel, and how their podcast 'The Rest Is Entertainment' began.

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Mark is a musician, producer, DJ and now an author, with his memoir Night People: How to Be a DJ in 90s New York City, a moving account of his childhood and early days. 

He and Ruthie talk together about how DJ’ing a club night is like being a chef, how cooking a curry is like composing a track, how running a restaurant is like running a rave, and much much more.

Ruthie’s Table 4, in collaboration with ME&EM - intelligent style for busy women.

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When Will Ferrell said he'd be my guest on Ruthie's Table 4, I expected some laughs, some great stories, but not ‘Happy Birthday’ in Swedish. Everyone seems to love Will, whether they worked with him or, of course, watched him on screen in those classic comedies, Elf and Anchormanand many more. We do have a mutual friend, Saturday Night Live creator and producer Lorne Michaels, but we first met last spring when I was invited to a lunch. Now, walking into a lunch party late can be awkward—conversations stop, chairs are adjusted, introductions made. But there I was, seated next to Will and all was right with the world. He was here in London filming Barbie and I was just off to New York, but we promised to continue the conversation. And that’s what we’re doing today, on Table 4. 

Originally recorded in 2024.

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Adam Gopnik is a brilliant mind. An acclaimed writer, essayist and commentator; he's authored nine books, and has written for The New Yorkerfor nearly forty years, to which he's contributed non-fiction, fiction, memoir and criticism.

I've been lucky enough to share 34 years of friendship with Adam, and in that time, we've never stopped cooking, and sharing our passion for food. Today, we're talking about family, the world, and of course, eating.

Originally recorded in 2024.

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I first met Olivia over food one night in The River Cafe, she was with Maggie Gyllenhaal and they had just wrapped filming for their movie The Lost Daughter in Greece. It is not an exaggeration to say they pretty much ordered everything on the menu. We immediately got into talking about feeding our kids, cooking, and inflicted distance from family when working. This was a conversation that could have lasted for hours, but I had to go back to the kitchen and she needed to finish her lemon pasta before it cooled down.

Today we are here in The River Cafe and she is the one cooking the lemon pasta. We are going to pick up where we left off—a conversation with a woman I admire, respect and adore. Lucky me. Originally recorded in 2023.

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The mysterious world of professional foraging, roasting the perfect porcini, and our favourite dishes for newcomers to mushrooms. With Ruthie Rogers, Sian Owen and Joseph Trivelli.

Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.

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Memories of disappearing croissants, covering up kitchen mistakes, and how good chefs 'dance' around the kitchen. With Ruthie Rogers, Sian Owen and Joseph Trivelli.

Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.

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...on how they met following a prophetic dream from Keira's agent, how dating Keira forced James to eat more adventurously, and the parallels between songwriting and winemaking.  Originally recorded in 2024.

Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.

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The architect describes keeping live carp in the bathtub for dinner, how fish influence his designs, and holding matzo brei 'bake-offs' with his friends. Originally recorded in 2023.

Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.

Thumbnail photograph: © Alexandra Cabri

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...on accidentally eating movie props, how food on film sets has changed, her passion for regenerative farming, and writing a book with her mother. Originally recorded in 2024.

Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.

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The former Surgeon General of the United States discusses how loneliness can be understood as a medical condition, and the hot sauce his father made which was so spicy it required a mask. Originally recorded in 2024.
  
Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.

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...on working as a chambermaid in Florence, the joy of room-temperature meals and what 'comfort food' means to her. Originally recorded in 2021.
  
Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.

Thumbnail Photograph: Matt Holyoak

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On this week’s episode, recorded in 2021, Victoria Beckham reveals the secret use of her mother’s microwave, the diet best for a Spice girl, and the thrill of her first taste of Cristal Champagne.

Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.

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Part Two of our ‘Best Of Season 4’  revisits guests from some of our favourite episodes. 

Join Richard E. Grant, Francis Ford Coppola, Cate Blanchett, Tony Blair, Bono, Sienna Miller and Erling Kagge talking about food and memories, food and family, food and adventure and much much more.

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In October, I sat down at The River Cafe with director Guillermo del Toro for the first episode in a new season of Ruthie's Table 4. 40 guests later, season four has come to an end and we thought it would be fun to look back at some of those conversations.

Today we'll be hearing from Guillermo, Elton John, David Furnish, Zoe Saldaña, Josh Brolin, Bella Freud, Alice Walters, and Anthony Scaramucci.

Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.

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In the final bonus episode of season 4, Benedict Cumberbatch discusses his role in The Courier, and the toll it takes on actors' health to gain and lose weight for a part.

Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.

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Life is about connections.

Rick Rubin, (season two, episode 7), invited me for dinner with Benedict Cumberbatch, where Benedict talked mostly about the food he was cooking for his children. Cary Fukunaga, (season one, episode 4) recently asked me to find a fishmonger who could teach Benedict how to fillet a sea bass for his role in the thriller Blood On Snow. JJ Abrams, (season two, episode 9) texted “Ruthie, Benedict must not be of this earth. Describing him as a limitless talent somehow feels like an understatement.” And Wes Anderson, (season three, episode 1), described Benedict as one of the great actors of our time. “He's like an Olivier or a Gielgud mixed with a DeNiro or a Hoffman”   

Benedict thinks about the food he eats, the issues of sustainability, fairness, and civil liberties. He's here with me now in The River Cafe to talk about food and film, family and friends.

What a connection. 

Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.

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In the bonus this week, Bono shares the River Cafe recipe for Spaghetti alla Puttanesca. He also  describes fulfilling his father's dream of performing Torna A Surriento in the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, and reflects on how he was shaped by his father's values. 

Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.

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Like everyone else, I know Bono through U2, his fight for social justice with his ONE campaign and (RED), his philanthropy, his strong values, his vision. I also know him as family. One of the best days we've had in The River Cafe was with Ali, his wife, his children and friends, celebrating the birthday he shares with one of my best friends, his daughter Jordan. 

Today, Bono and I are going to talk about family, food, music, memories, and more.

Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.

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In this week's bonus, Alexandra Mousavizadeh remembers the food of her childhood in Denmark. She and I discuss its roots in Viking times - heavily grounded in fishing and foraging - and how this laid the foundation for Denmark as a food mecca.

Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.

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Alexandra Mousavizadeh is my friend, and yet I have little idea how to describe what she does. This I do know: she’s an economist, an expert in game theory, and co-founded Evident in 2022 to benchmark companies on their AI performance.

In Alexandra's house, the place I love most is her kitchen and the smell of an extraordinary Persian dish about to be served. Alexandra and I are here together to talk about food, technology, the future, friends, family, and not being afraid. You'll learn about this remarkable friend of mine and I will learn what in fact she does.

Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.

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In this behind-the-scenes bonus, I talk with executive chefs Sian Owen and Joseph Trivelli about the challenges and rewards of cooking for hundreds of guests to celebrate the Tate Modern's 25th birthday. We pay tribute to the tireless work of those who made it happen and reflect on grating kilos of parmesan and zesting endless lemons.

Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.

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In this bonus episode, John Lithgow recalls appearing on the celebrity edition of The Great British Bake Off, his attempt to make a Swiss roll which was deemed 'not sellable in any cake shop', as well making a Winston Churchill gingerbread man. 

Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.

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