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.

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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.

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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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.