Rose Gray

A cursory glance at the New York Times showed me that Rose Gray, one of the founders of the River Cafe (London's Thames, not the rather slimey institution on New York's East River), is dead. She was 71.

I have only eaten at the restaurant a handful of times, but it is the 3 early River Cafe books that are part of the backbone of my cookbook collection and whose spirit continues to influence my own cooking. The recipes employ few, fine ingredients, and put them together impeccably. I love them.

Rose Gary and Ruth Rogers have been more influential than most people realize.