The Kitchen Cabinet host, critic and sometime MasterChef judge is “a greedy man in a hungry world.” Alongside reviews he also likes to slay sacred cows, like the cult of farmers’ markets. As well as a serious look at the food industry, what we eat and why, and the resillience of the restaurant sector, Jay dispenses his view on service and food fads and dips into his one man theatre show My Dining Hell – examining why we’re all so keen to read lousy restaurant reviews.


Biography

Jay Rayner is a journalist, writer, broadcaster and food critic. He is perhaps best known for his Observer restaurant reviews and food column, as well as his Radio 4 show The Kitchen Cabinet and regular appearances judging dishes on MasterChef.

A contributor to a wide range of publications including GQ, Cosmopolitan and the New Statesman, Jay has written for both Gourmet and Saveur in the US. His feature writing is regularly syndicated across the world, and has been translated into more than a dozen languages. He is a past winner of Young Journalist of the Year, and Critic of the Year at the British Press Awards. He has also written a number of fiction and non-fiction books, the first of which was shortlisted for the Author’s Club First Novel Award.

As a critic, he regularly pops up on MasterChef, appeared on two series of the American show Top Chef Masters, has reported for The One Show, and is a part of the panel on Tried and Tested, Channel 4's food review show. He has toured his one man show across Britain, Australia and New Zealand, and hosts Radio 4’s off-beat food panel show, The Kitchen Cabinet.

Jay combines both a serious look at the food we eat, how it's produced and sold, and the nature of the food and hostpitality industries, with wit and entertaining anecdotes. He considers the power of the critic but also the resilience and creativity of the restaurant sector. He also speaks candidly about the importance of good service, and the perils of resembling Marco Pierre White. Following the success of his book Greedy Man In A Hungry World he continues to explore food industry issues, and the global impact of predicted food shortages.

Videos

JLA Speakers Breakfast - December 2011

More Details

Agent Recommendation

Jay is everything you need in an after dinner speaker - perhaps it's years of entertaining dining companions. He’s eloquent, easy going and comes with a store of anecdotes about life as a restaurant critic (aka "going out to eat and writing smart-arsed things about it").

JLA Agent Jessica Prior
Read More

Books

Book written by Jay Rayner
Book written by Jay Rayner
Book written by Jay Rayner
Book written by Jay Rayner

Contact

We’re on hand to help you find the perfect speaker, presenter or performer for your events. Call or email our London office and use our agents' experience to expertly match you with the right person for your programme!


From time to time we send out emails announcing new speakers and free tickets to our showcase events including Speakers Breakfasts and the JLA Real Variety Show. Please tick the box below if you would like to receive these emails.

Don't miss anything!

We will never share the data you submit here with a third party. Information is stored in a database in order to service your enquiry, but is deleted once it is no longer required. You may request to have this data removed at any time.

JLA Presents

Risk Speakers Breakfast event image.
Event - 17/09/2024 - 09:00

Speakers Breakfast

Navigating Risk and Chaos – Strategies For Coping With An Uncertain World.

Speakers
Clive Myrie, Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, Rt Hon Lord Parker of Minsmere, and Robin Niblett

On Tuesday 17th September we had the pleasure of hearing from a remarkable panel of speakers, who shared their expertise on the challenges of managing Risk in a chaotic world.

The panel featured esteemed speakers, Dr. Sabrina Cohen-Hatton KFSM (Firefigter and Neuroscience researcher), Lord Parker of Minsmere (Andrew Parker, Former Director General of MI5), and Sir Robin Niblett (Former Director and Chief Executive of Chatham House). The event was hosted superbly by Mastermind and BBC News presenter Clive Myrie.

Over the hour, our panellists explored Risk on multiple levels, from global affairs to business environments and personal everyday challenges. They provided valuable insights into how we can better manage and mitigate Risk in today’s unpredictable world.

 

Location

87 Barts Close, 87 Bartholomew Close, London, EC1A 7EB

WATCH
AI Speakers Breakfast event image.
Event - 30/04/2024 - 09:00:00

Speakers Breakfast

Understanding AI Now

Speakers
Priya Lakhani and Anne-Marie Imafidon

We were joined at 87 Barts Close by three brilliant speakers on a panel that delved into the complex world of Artificial Intelligence. Over the hour our panellists de-mystified AI, speaking about AI’s immense promise for enhancing our lives, alongside the apprehension it has generated regarding job security, privacy infringement, and ethical considerations.

Location

87 Barts Close, 87 Bartholomew Close, London, EC1A 7EB

WATCH