Ruthie's Table 4

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/Table4AtRiverCafeBookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/Table4AtRiverCafeBookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/Table4AtRiverCafeBookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/Table4AtRiverCafeBookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.