The River Cafe Cookbook

by Rose Gray, Ruth Rogers

A sophisticated re-interpretation of the cucina rustica or farmhouse cooking of northern Italy, the food of THE RIVER CAFE' relies on good quality, fresh, seasonal produce - plus authentic Italian ingredients such as polenta, buffalo mozzarella and extra virgin olive oil. The emphasis is very much on the type of cooking found in Italian homes rather than restaurants. Ruth and Rose's direct, uncomplicated approach means that many of the dishes are strikingly simple - fish, meat and vegetables are chargrilled, pan-fried and baked - but all of them, from the Tuscan bread soup Ribollita to main dishes such as Manzo in Tegame( Braised Beef Fillet) and Maiale al Latte(Pork Cooked in Milk) are vibrant with flavour, In addition, there are numerous recipes for Italian-inspired desserts, such as Zabaglione Ice Cream, Almond and Lemon Cake, and Grilled Peaches with Amaretto.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction, Reference, Food and Drink

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Rose Gray was a celebrated British chef and cookery writer, best known for co-founding The River Café in 1987 with Ruth Rogers. The restaurant, which earned a Michelin star in 1998, became a launchpad for a generation of chefs, including Jamie Oliver, Theo Randall, and April Bloomfield. Rose’s influence on the culinary world was immense, with many of her protégés citing her as a key mentor.
Along with Ruth, she authored several cookbooks, including The River Café Cookbook and River Café Green, which have become classics in Italian cuisine. Gray also shared her love for Italian food with a broader audience through the 1998 Channel 4 series The Italian Kitchen.
Her career was not just defined by her cooking, but by her charitable work as well. Gray became a Breast Cancer Ambassador after her own diagnosis and co-founded the Cooks in Schools charity. She spent part of her life in Tuscany, where her passion for authentic Italian food truly flourished.
Rose’s legacy lives on through her cookbooks, the many chefs she mentored, and the River Café, which continues to be a symbol of culinary excellence.

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time favorite cookbooks. Simple, straightforward Italian dishes.

[Katie Tu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple recipes from one of my favorite restaurants in London

[Gabriel Rousseau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Authenticity
Is a sneaky beast but not
Deliciousness, right?

[Joy]

I'm still on a quest to find a cookbook I can really use!

[Jagati Bagchi · Rating 5 out of 5]

the recipes are very easy, even someone who is not a cook can dish out many of the recipes.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The River Cafe books are great for hearty rustic fare.

[Ietrio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here are many recipes, presented in a well structured form, but I like the smaller books from the series with their themes.