About Ruthie Rogers: On Kitchens, Culture and River Cafe
Ruthie Rogers has helped redefine restaurant culture over more than three decades as co-founder of the iconic River Café. She has championed ingredient-led cooking, nurtured generations of chefs and created one of the most influential and enduring dining institutions in the country.
In this special in-conversation event, Ruthie reflects on her remarkable career from founding the River Café and building its distinctive philosophy, to navigating the challenges of running a restaurant and the realities of leadership in a demanding industry. She discusses how restaurant culture has evolved, the people and moments that have defined the River Café’s story, and what it takes to sustain creativity, excellence and passion.
She is joined by author and restaurateur Cynthia Shanmugalingam for a candid and wide-ranging discussion about resilience, hospitality and the drive that keeps a great restaurant – and its founder – going.
Part of the Food Season Big Weekend over Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June. Take advantage of our In-Person Big Weekend Multi-Session Discounts by booking more than one session for the Big Weekend.
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Ruthie Rogers
Ruthie Rogers is the co-founder of The River Café in London and an award-winning chef.
Credit: David Bailey More
She is also the host of the podcast Ruthie’s Table 4 and the author/co-author of thirteen cookbooks, including The River Café Cookbook, River Café 30, and The River Café Look Book. She was awarded an MBE in 2010 and a CBE in 2020. Follow her on Instagram @RuthieRogers.
Cynthia Shanmugalingam
Cynthia Shanmugalingam is a British-Sri Lankan cook who was born in Coventry.
Credit: Matt Russell More
Cynthia Shanmugalingam is a British-Sri Lankan cook who was born in Coventry, visiting Sri Lanka in her childhood holidays and eating dishes adapted by her mum, grandmother and other aunties everyday at home. Her debut cookbook Rambutan: Recipes from Sri Lanka won the Fortnum and Mason's Best Debut Cookery Book 2023, and was named cookbook of the year by the New York Times, LA Times, Chrissy Teigan, and Bon Appetit. She is chef-proprietor of the Borough Market restaurant Rambutan.
Food Season Big Weekend discounts
In Person Multi-Session Discounts
For the Food Season Big Weekend 2026, we’re introducing a new in-person multi-session discount to help more of you experience a wider range of sessions.
The more Big Weekend sessions you book, the more you save:
- book 3 or more sessions and receive 20% off your total booking
- book 5 or more sessions and receive 30% off your total booking.
Please add all your sessions to your basket and then these discounts will be applied at check out.
Standard concession rates will continue to apply as usual.
About Food Season 2026
The British Library Food Season returns for its seventh year, bringing together some of the most influential names in food, drink, hospitality, literature and science, for a series of events that highlight the stories, the politics and the people behind how and why we eat. Discover more Food Season events.
Concessions
There are a range of concessions available. These include discounts for British Library Members, half-price tickets for students and under 26s, free entry for carers as well as a number of other concessions.
Attending the event online
If you book an online ticket, you will receive the viewing link on the morning of the event. You can either watch the event live or during the next 7 days on catch up.
Venue opening times
This event will take place in the British Library Knowledge Centre and is also available to watch online. Tickets may be booked to attend in person, or to watch online.
If you are attending in person, please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start time of this event. If you have specific access requirements please email customer@bl.uk
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