Quite often, people say to me, ‘I couldn’t possibly have you to dinner, you’re the chef of the river café, cooking for you would be overwhelming.’ That’s how I feel about introducing Sir David Hare. How do you write for one of the greatest writers of our generation? Whether he's scripting acclaimed plays like Skylight, Plenty, Stuff Happens, or movies like The White Crow, Denial, or The Reader, David is nothing short of a master of the written word.

But I do think David and I have much in common. We both like being hosts; me, in The River Cafe, and David at his home, where he understands the theatre of sitting at a table. We both know that if food brings a table to life, so do the people around it.

Today, we are here together in the River Cafe to talk about food, memories, theatre, travel and more. It would be natural to feel overwhelmed, but David makes it easy, and I just feel delighted, and lucky, to have him here.

Ruthie's Table 4 is made in partnership with Moncler.

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Tina Fey has been on Ruthie's Table 4 before and she is, in fact, our first returning guest.

When we first met, she spoke about food being a major part of her life, but she only brought one half of her team. The other half, Jeff Richmond, is here with us now. A composer, producer, director, Jeff is Tina's creative partner, and he's her husband. He says he does all the cooking.

Tina and Jeff have collaborated on almost everything, and now they're here in London to open the Mean Girls Musical at the Savoy theatre. I will be there on opening night.

Today we're going to talk about working with someone you love, music and comedy, cooking and eating together, and more...

Ruthie’s Table 4 is made in partnership with Moncler.

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Jane Hartley was the American ambassador to France and Monaco, and now to the Court of Saint James. In the two years she has spent in the United Kingdom so far, Jane has had two monarchs, three prime ministers, four chancellors, and a late-stage pandemic.

She has the qualities necessary for the role in abundance: leadership, resilience, duty. I know her as a close friend, and though I always introduce Jane as Ambassador Hartley, my nickname for her is Miss Sparkle. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her without sequins on a sweater, dress, earrings, or even the shoes she’s wearing today.

Now, we’re going to get together to talk about work, duty, family and food. I know she will be informed, and I know she will sparkle.

Ruthie’s Table 4 is made in partnership with Moncler.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.