Ruthie's Table 4

iHeart Podcast Network

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,...

Location:

United States

Genres:

Food & Cooking Podcasts

Networks:

iHeart Podcast Network

Description:

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

Language:

English

Website:

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-river-cafe-table-4-86783836/

Episodes

Bruce Bozzi

4/20/2026

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:41:15

Bonus: Tom Freston On Bartending

4/16/2026

In this bonus episode of Ruthie's Table 4, 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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:06:05

Tom Freston - Co-creator of MTV

4/13/2026

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:32:34

Jamie Oliver, Gary Lineker & Seth Doane

4/7/2026

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:37:18

Bonus: Margate, or ‘Traceyville’

4/2/2026

In this bonus episode, 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:09:31

Dame Tracey Emin

3/30/2026

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:34:51

Bonus: What To Eat When with Sir Sadiq Khan

3/26/2026

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:07:42

Sir Sadiq Khan, Mayor Of London

3/23/2026

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.

Duration:00:39:02

Bonus: The Cook And The Book

3/19/2026

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.

Duration:00:04:28

Special Episode: The Cook and the Book

3/16/2026

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.

Duration:00:25:34

Bonus: The Chocolate Nemesis

3/16/2026

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.

Duration:00:04:09

Aleksandra Crapanzano

3/9/2026

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.

Duration:00:31:22

Peter Sarsgaard On Bees And A Bear

3/5/2026

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.

Duration:00:07:58

Peter Sarsgaard

3/2/2026

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.

Duration:00:37:27

Mayor Daniel Lurie

2/23/2026

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. 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.

Duration:00:36:10

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

2/16/2026

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:28:29

Bonus: Valentine's Day At The River Cafe

2/14/2026

Executive chefs Sian Wyn Owen and Joseph Trivelli take us behind the scenes of The River Café 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.

Duration:00:12:17

Wes Anderson At The Gagosian In Paris

2/9/2026

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:18:09

Emerald Fennell

2/2/2026

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.

Duration:00:24:41

Andrew Jarecki

1/26/2026

Andrew Jarecki is a landmark figure in documentary filmmaking. His works include Capturing the Friedmans, The Jinx, and most recently 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.

Duration:00:28:03