Ruthie's Table 4

Bonus: Tom Freston On Bartending

16 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Tom Freston - Co-creator of MTV

13 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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

Jamie Oliver, Gary Lineker & Seth Doane

07 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

Bonus: Margate, or ‘Traceyville’

02 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode, Tracey discusses how she’s supporting the creative community in her hometown of Margate. This includes the training caf&e...

Dame Tracey Emin

30 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 frien...

Bonus: What To Eat When with Sir Sadiq Khan

27 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

Sir Sadiq Khan, Mayor Of London

24 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 he...

Bonus: The Cook And The Book

20 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus excerpt from her conversation with Ashley Baker, Ruthie reflects on the importance of grandparents, and of tradition during the writing ...

Special Episode: The Cook and the Book

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Bonus: The Chocolate Nemesis

16 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 di...

Aleksandra Crapanzano

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Aleksandra Crapanzano is a close friend who has written four fantastic books - The London Cookbook, Eat. Cook. L.A., Gâteau: The Surprising Simp...

Peter Sarsgaard On Bees And A Bear

06 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 fr...

Peter Sarsgaard

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

 I know Peter Sarsgaard as an incredible actor from films and series such as 'Dopesick', 'Shattered Glass', 'The Batman', and most recently, 'The Br...

Mayor Daniel Lurie

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

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

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 artisti...

Bonus: Valentine's Day At The River Cafe

14 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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, ho...

Wes Anderson At The Gagosian In Paris

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 r...

Emerald Fennell

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Emerald Fennell is a director (‘Promising Young Woman’ and ‘Saltburn’), actor (Camilla in ‘The Crown’), writer (&l...

Andrew Jarecki

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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

Bonus: What’s New At The River Cafe

23 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

Jeremy King

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Jeremy King is London’s most influential and important restaurateur. If, as I firmly believe, restaurants are crucial to the life of a city, Jer...

Bonus: Laurene Powell Jobs In Conversation With Ruthie Rogers & Ed Ruscha

16 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Rt Hon Gordon Brown

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown joins Ruthie to share memories of his childhood in Scotland, accidentally hosting a burglar in the family home, the...

Bonus: Gabriela Hearst on running her business

09 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Gabriela and Ruthie discuss their experiences of setting up a business, and the importance of investing in staff.See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

Gabriela Hearst

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Uruguayan-born luxury fashion designer Gabriela Hearst talks to Ruthie about running her family’s 17,000-acre ranch, the importance of sustainab...

Bonus: Lemons

02 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 R...

Annie Leibovitz

30 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Bonus: Rashida Jones on her father Quincy Jones

26 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Rashida reflects on her father's nocturnal lifestyle, synesthesia and music writing habits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rashida Jones

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Actor, writer and producer Rashida Jones joins Ruthie to discuss her childhood mealtimes in a house with six siblings, her mother’s love of chic...

Bonus: Christmas At The River Cafe

20 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 Tr...

Hilton Als

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Bonus: Dame Jacinda Ardern on unexpectedly becoming a world leader

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dame Jacinda Ardern reflects on how she became Prime Minister of New Zealand in unexpected circumstances, the challenges of governing through COVID, a...

Dame Jacinda Ardern

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 mot...

Noah Baumbach on his new movie ‘Jay Kelly’

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 worl...

Gayle King

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Journalist, broadcaster and ‘America’s best friend' Gayle King joins Ruthie to talk about the Turkish food that shaped her childhood, the ...

Marc Newson

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One of the world’s most influential and innovative designers Marc Newson joins Ruthie to talk about growing up in rural Australia, designing eve...

VP Kamala Harris

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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. Vi...

Marina Hyde and Richard Osman

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 Entertai...

Mark Ronson

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 childho...

From The Archive: Will Ferrell

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 Swedi...

From The Archive: Adam Gopnik

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Gopnik is a brilliant mind. An acclaimed writer, essayist and commentator; he's authored nine books, and has written for The New Yorker for ...

From The Archive: Olivia Colman

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 Lo...

Bonus: Porcini Mushrooms

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

Bonus: First Days At The River Cafe

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

From The Archive: Keira Knightley & James Righton

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

...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 ...

From The Archive: Frank Gehry

08 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

From The Archive: Laura Dern

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

From The Archive: Vivek Murthy

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 w...

From The Archive: Nigella Lawson

18 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

...on working as a chambermaid in Florence, the joy of room-temperature meals and what 'comfort food' means to her. Originally recorded in 2021. ...

From the Archive: Victoria Beckham

11 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 gir...

Best of Season Four: Part 2

04 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Part Two of our ‘Best Of Season 4’  revisits guests from some of our favourite episodes.  Join Richard E. Grant, Francis Ford Co...

Best of Season Four: Part 1

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

 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 late...

Bonus: Benedict Cumberbatch on the health toll of weight gain and loss as an actor

23 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 lo...

Benedict Cumberbatch remembers living with Wes Anderson whilst filming, imitates Ruthie, and discusses his upcoming film The Roses with Olivia Colman.

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Life is about connections. Rick Rubin, (season two, episode 7), invited me for dinner with Benedict Cumberbatch, where Benedict talked mostly about th...

Bonus: Bono reads the recipe for Spaghetti alla Puttanesca and shares how his father influenced him

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the bonus this week, Bono shares the River Cafe recipe for Spaghetti alla Puttanesca. He also  describes fulfilling his father's dream of perf...

Bono shares food memories from early life, recalls bringing politicians together to break bread, and even sings Amazing Grace.

14 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 vis...

Bonus: Alexandra Mousavizadeh remembers traditional Danish cuisine

09 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 gro...

Alexandra Mousavizadeh on AI opportunities, losing a finger and Persian cuisine

07 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Bonus: Catering for 700 at the Tate Modern's 25th anniversary

05 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Bonus: John Lithgow on his Great British Bake Off appearance

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 w...

John Lithgow discusses playing Roald Dahl, appearing on Bake Off - and sings with Ruthie

30 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

John Lithgow has played a cardinal, serial killer, prime minister, alien and president. But the role I know him best in is as a great friend. John is ...

Bonus: Behind the scenes at The River Cafe over Father's Day

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this special bonus episode, I take you 'behind the scenes' with The River Cafe's executive chefs Sian Owen and Joseph Trivelli, talking about a bus...

Keith McNally on meeting Rose Gray, problem-solving at Balthazar, and SNL parties

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From the moment Rose and I thought about doing The River Café, Rose made it clear that everything she knew, she had learned from Keith McNally,...

Nili Lotan on the five key pieces at her fashion company, her grandmother’s recipe book, and working for Ralph Lauren

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nili Lotan is not only a brilliant designer, and an entrepreneur. A woman with strong values she has held onto since starting her own fashion company,...

Q&A special - Ruthie answers your questions with executive chefs, Sian Wyn Owen and Joseph Trivelli

09 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In The River Cafe, we like a question. One of the reasons we have an open kitchen is that everything is on view and even our customers ask for tips on...

Graydon Carter on the Vanity Fair Oscar party, banning people from his restaurant and profiling Trump

02 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Looking at all the work Graydon Carter has done over the years, what it would be like to be one of his creations?  As Spy magazine, I'd be fearle...

Bonus: The underground menu at Anthony Scaramucci's restaurant, Hunt & Fish Club

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's bonus, Anthony Scaramucci compares the challenges involved at his restaurant Hunt & Fish Club with Ruthie's at The River Cafe. Plus...

Anthony Scaramucci describes stomping grapes, getting fired by Trump and overcoming adversity

26 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In my career, I've been a chef, an author and now a podcaster. In Anthony Scaramucci’s career, he’s been Communication Director in the Whi...

Bonus: The parallel between theatres and restaurants with Cate Blanchett

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode, Cate Blanchett and Ruthie reflect on the similarities between a theatre performance and a restaurant kitchen. Ruthie's Table 4,...

Cate Blanchett on growing her own food, multiculturalism, and a disastrous Christmas dinner

19 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

People ask me who my dream guest would be on Ruthie‘s Table 4. Cate Blanchett has always been top of the list - an actor, director and vocal act...

Dana Strong on running Sky Group, chicken soup every day and global cuisine

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dana Strong, CEO of Sky Group, is one of the busiest people I know. One of the most powerful people in global media, she leads a team of thousands acr...

Richard E. Grant on eating the same seven meals growing up, Henry Higgins and coping with loss

05 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When I think of Richard E. Grant,  of course I think of his brilliant films and him as a great actor. But what I really think of is Richard and his ...

Alison Loehnis on YOOX NET-A-PORTER, balancing work and family, food memories and growing up in Manhattan

28 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Alison Loehnis and I have much in common — we’re two American women living abroad, we both adore the small seaside towns of Liguria, and w...

Jony Ive

21 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One of the questions I’m often asked is where and when did you meet Sir Jony Ive, the person whose designs changed the world? We met at the Whit...

David Chipperfield

14 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A few months ago, my friend David Chipperfield, the Pritzker and Stirling Prize-winning architect, asked me to support the work his foundation is doin...

Amanda Sharp

07 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In 2018, the River Cafe opened a second restaurant at the Frieze Art Fair in Regent’s Park. It was only for a few days and not something we woul...

Bonus: Cigar Ice Cream with Rian Johnson

03 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ch...

Rian Johnson

31 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

 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 t...

Bonus: Salsa Verde with Angus Collins

27 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode, record-setting ocean rower Angus Collins talks about salsa verde, the emotional toll after completing a crossing, and the food ...

Angus Collins

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Bonus: Tagliarini with Luca Guadagnino

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode of Ruthie's Table 4, BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated director Luca Guadagnino discusses pasta and the diversity of Italian foo...

Luca Guadagnino

18 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

 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...

Bella Freud

11 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

Alastair Campbell

04 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 P...

Bonus: 2025 Oscars Special

28 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Oscars are only a few days away and Ruthie’s Table 4 is excited. Ralph Fiennes, Zoe Saldaña and Elton John - three Ruthie’...

Erling Kagge

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erling Kagge  is one of the world's great explorers - a man whose life embraces solitude. That is, when he‘s not being attacked by a polar bea...

Francis Ford Coppola: Part 2

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In Francis Ford Coppola (Part 2), we discuss the origins of pizza, his experience eating lambs’ brain as a child, and how a loophole during Amer...

Francis Ford Coppola: Part 1

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When Francis Ford Coppola agreed to do a podcast with me, good friends who know us both said “actually Ruthie, the two of you are rather alike&r...

Bonus: New York with Zoe Saldaña

07 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode of Ruthie's Table 4, Golden Globe-winning actress Zoe Saldaña discusses her love for New York - a melting pot of differen...

Zoe Saldaña

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A couple of months ago I discovered a sign on the door to my office, saying ‘Do not disturb.’ Zoe Saldana was inside, changing into her dr...

Bonus: Working Lunches with James Harding

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What can a lunch tell you about a colleague, or a job candidate? In this bonus episode, Founder and Editor of Tortoise Media, James Harding, discusses...

James Harding

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Around the table with friends we were talking about the kind of movies we like best. My vote was for movies about journalism — His Girl Fri...

Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When the great filmmakers Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach wrote to say they were moving to London for a year, we decided to meet for Sunday lunch with ...

Bonus: Adam Gopnik on James Carville and America's Future

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode of Ruthie’s Table 4, with the inauguration approaching, Ruthie joins friend and writer for The New Yorker, Adam Gopnik, to...

James Carville - Featuring Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"It’s the economy, stupid." You may recognise the slogan which won Bill Clinton the presidency in 1992. It was the creation of James Carville, t...

Josh Brolin

07 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The first time I met Josh Brolin was here at The River Cafe, and there was an instant connection between us. Josh is a storyteller, and I sat there li...

Bonus: Roasting with Sienna Miller

02 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus helping of Ruthie's Table 4, Sienna and Ruthie discuss the art of the Sunday roast — a sacred ritual in Sienna's life.See omnystud...

Sienna Miller

31 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone knows Sienna Miller—not just as an actress and a fashion designer, but also as a brave combatant who stood up against a powerful media ...

Bonus: Holiday Special

25 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Happy holidays to all of our listeners, we thank you so much for your responses and for your support. As a present for you, we’ve made this podc...

Ian McKellen

24 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I’m often asked about the inspiration for Ruthie’s Table 4. The answer is easy. Two words — Ian McKellen. For some years, Richard an...