health
Chef Ruthie Rogers on the comforts of food and conversation
March 22, 2026 / 10:01 AM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- Ruthie Rogers, a key figure at the River Cafe since its inception, has published a book titled "Table 4 at the River Cafe."
- The book features conversations with celebrities like Elton John and Sarah Jessica Parker, exploring how food can unlock personal memories and foster connections.
- Rogers believes that approaching people through the lens of food leads to more authentic conversations than discussing their specific careers.
- She emphasizes the importance of connection, a value central to her restaurant's ethos and her own philosophy.
- The River Cafe, co-founded with Rose Gray, started with six tables and has maintained a Michelin star since the late 1990s.
- Jamie Oliver, a former employee, credits Rogers and Gray for their influence on his career.
- Rogers highlights a kitchen culture built on 'hope rather than fear,' contrasting with traditional hierarchical models.