Ruth Rogers and Rose Gray

Ruth Rogers was born in 1948 in Monticello, New York. She was educated at The Colorado Rocky Mountain School at Bennington College, before moving to The London College of Printing to complete a degree in Graphic Design. In 1970, she joined the art department of Penguin books. In 1971 she moved to Paris with husband, Richard Rogers, and worked on graphic design and exhibitions at the Centre Pompidou. Returning to London in 1979, she continued to work at Richard Rogers and Partners. Ruth and Rose Gray set up The River Café in 1987, focusing on regional, seasonal, Italian food. In 1989 the restaurant won 'Best Italian Restaurant of the Year' and later in 1998 they earned their fist Michelin star, which they have retained ever since. In 1995 Ruth published her first cookbook, with Rose Gray, The River Café Cookbook, and presented a 12-part series for Channel 4, The Italian Kitchen. They later went on to publish a further 10 cookbooks. In 2010, Ruth was awarded an MBE. Ruth was on the board of The Royal Theatre, and is a trustee of Refuge and Index on Censorship. She supports Maggie's, The Dyslexia Institute and Democrats Abroad. She has two sons and three stepsons and 11 grandchildren. www.rivercafe.co.uk