‘Tony Blair is a real fish person’

‘Tony Blair is a real fish person’ https://open.spotify.com/watch?v=episode/7yulszIgulFj1ybMICkCuW

As a seasoned podcaster and food enthusiast who has dined with presidents, rockstars, and royals, I must say that Ruthie’s Table 4 is a culinary masterpiece that leaves one craving for more. The podcast, born out of necessity during lockdown, has managed to maintain its charm even as it delves into the lives of A-listers and their relationship with food.

Ruth Rogers began our discussion by casually mentioning Elton John. She shared that he expressed his apprehension, saying, “I’m unsure if we can talk about food for a full half-hour without running out of things to say.” However, once the conversation started, it lasted well beyond the initial 30 minutes.

For someone, discussing food for such an extended period might seem excessive, but for the host of “Ruthie’s Table 4”, a podcast dedicated to exploring the culinary preferences of celebrities, it’s never too much to chat about food.

In 1987, Maureen Rogers – restaurateur, author, and widow of renowned architect Richard Rogers – established the acclaimed River Café restaurant in London along with her friend, chef Rose Grey. Originally serving as a cafeteria for Richard’s architecture firm, the venue eventually garnered a Michelin star over the subsequent years. Sadly, Rose passed away in 2010.

The restaurant situated near the Thames in Hammersmith has historically been popular among influential figures such as international jet setters, politicians, movie stars, and musicians. This allows Rogers to casually incorporate anecdotes about the culinary preferences of former Prime Ministers during conversations. “Tony Blair, when he visits the River Café,” she shares with me, “he usually opts for sea bass. He’s quite fond of fish.

Their connection dates back to the 90s era of Cool Britannia. Prior to Blair’s election in 1997, Rogers hosted a gathering at the future PM’s residence and brought along a young assistant to prepare spinach rolls. “We prepared dinner for him during his campaign, and the chef I invited to his house was Jamie Oliver, who was relatively new to the scene at the time.

Blair is also featured on the fourth season of a podcast called “Ruthie’s Table 4.” This podcast started during lockdown when Rogers had to close River Café. The show is based on a straightforward idea: guests discuss significant food and dishes, inspired by Rogers who frequently inquires about their favorite comfort food. Michael Caine once mentioned that potatoes were his comfort food, but now it’s caviar. For Austin Butler, the actor who portrayed Elvis Presley in the 2022 film “Elvis,” it was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a treat he shared with his mother before she passed away.

In the latest series, the film director Guillermo del Toro follows the tradition set by the 76-year-old host by sharing a recipe – a pizza recipe with artichokes. On another occasion, Elton John prepared mushroom risotto, as it’s currently in season. Additionally, Elton John allowed Ruthie to venture into his family home in Windsor, which is typically private, where he resides with his husband David Furnish.

3 years back, I inquired about it, and Elton replied, “Ruthie, I need to complete the album,” or “Ruthie, I have to go to Las Vegas,” or “Ruthie, I’m on tour. We will, we will, we will.” Then he faced difficulties with his eyes during the summer [Elton had an eye infection this year], so there was always some reason. However, David recently messaged me and said, “Elton is available next Wednesday. What do you think?

Ruthie’s Table 4 might be perceived as shrewd self-promotion, but it has found a remarkably effective method for discussing the potency of food and its pivotal role in our lives. For instance, Tony Blair was able to demarcate the boundaries of political power by reflecting on his dietary habits over the past few decades.

According to Rogers, our conversation covered various topics such as his childhood memories of his mother’s garden, attending boarding school, moving into Downing Street in 1997, and the unique aspects of that role. He mentioned how even the Prime Minister has to buy groceries from Waitrose, cook their own meals, and sometimes pick up lunch from Pret a Manger during workdays since there isn’t a full-time chef for daily meals, only for state dinners as shared by Alastair Campbell. It’s quite surprising, don’t you think?

‘Tony Blair is a real fish person’

Living in Paris while her husband worked on the Pompidou Centre, Rogers – an admirer of French culture – was taken aback by Britain’s perspective on food and their Prime Minister. In contrast, she noted, a leader residing at the Élysée Palace would never endure such a slight. “I imagine there are five chefs below preparing a soufflé for President Macron,” she said, emphasizing that culinary matters hold great importance in the presidential office.

She is clearly fascinated by the way good food and good wine allows people to re-invent themselves; especially working-class people who achieve riches and fame. Paul McCartney told her about the first time he drank wine, in Paris with John Lennon. “He said, ‘We had no money and so we only had the cheapest, cheapest wines. So we thought wine was rubbish. And then I came back and Brian Epstein, after our first album, took us to L’Escargot [restaurant in London] and we had an amazing glass of wine. We discovered wine.’”

In a recent conversation, it was mentioned that football star David Beckham, who reportedly has a strong passion for food according to Rogers, demonstrated self-assuredness when choosing meals while dining with his partner. He shared, “I took Victoria out and we were free to choose whatever we desired without having to focus on the expensive options on the menu.

A notable soccer player shared an unusual insight about dining: Ian Wright admitted he was once unfamiliar with table settings, choosing to eat at home while watching TV on a tray. This wasn’t due to poor parenting but rather because both of his parents were consistently away at work.

Occasionally, some interviewees, such as artist Tracey Emin, found themselves in a position where they struggled to afford food, leading her to ponder, “What steps can I take to secure nourishment?” – a rather severe situation.

Just as a delicious meal requires both sweet and savory elements, a successful podcast needs a mix of serious discussion and light-hearted moments. This is exactly what the new series offers, with Guillermo del Toro bringing his unique blend of humor, given his Mexican background and shared love for tequila. As he explains, “Guillermo and I have a strong connection to Mexico, and we both enjoy tequila. So, on last Sunday at noon, we were tasting various types of tequilas together. It was quite lively.

Listen to Ruthie’s Table 4 wherever you get your podcasts.

2024-11-14 17:38

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