Jay Rayner
@jayrayner1.bsky.social
Eats and writes for The Financial Times. Piano for the JR Sextet; chairs Kitchen Cabinet for R4. Doesn’t accept comps. [email protected]
https://linktr.ee/jayrayner1
https://linktr.ee/jayrayner1
Pinned
Delighted to say tickets for my autumn 2026 Nights Out In The Kitchen tour, celebrating publication of my new cookbook in the autumn of 2026, are now on sale. Join me for a night of serious food chat, brilliant dinner ideas and some ludicrous ones too.
www.fane.co.uk/jay-rayner
www.fane.co.uk/jay-rayner
A great life, ended too soon.
Skye Gyngell, pioneering chef, 1962-2025 on.ft.com/4odLzXi
Skye Gyngell, pioneering chef, 1962-2025
At Petersham Nurseries and Spring, she brought style and beauty to seasonal cooking
on.ft.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:49 PM
A great life, ended too soon.
For some reason far above (or below) my pay grade, this week’s restaurant review was missed off FT edit. It is now there. Apologies for the technical SNAFU.
I thought your FT restaurant reviews were going to be available in FT Edit every weekend?
November 23, 2025 at 5:53 PM
For some reason far above (or below) my pay grade, this week’s restaurant review was missed off FT edit. It is now there. Apologies for the technical SNAFU.
Very sorry to report that the lovely Skye Gyngell, chef of Petersham Nurseries and latterly Spring at Somerset House, and so much else, died yesterday. She was a terrific cook, and a lovely person. My thoughts are with her family and friends.
November 23, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Very sorry to report that the lovely Skye Gyngell, chef of Petersham Nurseries and latterly Spring at Somerset House, and so much else, died yesterday. She was a terrific cook, and a lovely person. My thoughts are with her family and friends.
Today at 10.30am in BBC Radio 4. I do hope you can listen.
A little advance notice: we have a lovely episode of the Kitchen Cabinet coming up tomorrow, marking this week’s world children’s day. We’re at the Academy of St Nicholas in Liverpool and all our questions come young people in Yr 7 and up. 10.30am on BBC Radio 4
November 22, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Today at 10.30am in BBC Radio 4. I do hope you can listen.
For today’s @ftweekend.com I am in Milan at Ratanà, eating perfect risotto Milanese and mulling on the importance of restaurant location. I put my
back into this job.
on.ft.com/3XcxRsz
back into this job.
on.ft.com/3XcxRsz
Nigella and Tucci are right to love Ratanà — Jay Rayner reviews a cult restaurant in Milan
Hip London wine bars are awash with Italian regional cuisine, but they can’t match the real thing for atmosphere
on.ft.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:08 AM
For today’s @ftweekend.com I am in Milan at Ratanà, eating perfect risotto Milanese and mulling on the importance of restaurant location. I put my
back into this job.
on.ft.com/3XcxRsz
back into this job.
on.ft.com/3XcxRsz
A little advance notice: we have a lovely episode of the Kitchen Cabinet coming up tomorrow, marking this week’s world children’s day. We’re at the Academy of St Nicholas in Liverpool and all our questions come young people in Yr 7 and up. 10.30am on BBC Radio 4
November 21, 2025 at 11:21 AM
A little advance notice: we have a lovely episode of the Kitchen Cabinet coming up tomorrow, marking this week’s world children’s day. We’re at the Academy of St Nicholas in Liverpool and all our questions come young people in Yr 7 and up. 10.30am on BBC Radio 4
Tickets are available for two upcoming Kitchen Cabinet records, in Dundee next Tuesday and in London on Dec 2nd. Apply for them at the link below and be a part of our audience.
www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtour...
www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtour...
The Kitchen Cabinet | Shows and tours
If there's anything you've ever wanted to know about food or cooking but didn't know whom to ask, read on… Come and be part of the audience for The Kitchen Cabinet, BBC Radio 4's culinary panel progra...
www.bbc.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Tickets are available for two upcoming Kitchen Cabinet records, in Dundee next Tuesday and in London on Dec 2nd. Apply for them at the link below and be a part of our audience.
www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtour...
www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtour...
Facebook tells me it is exactly 13 years since the Observer published this. It would be a shame not to share the joy. And the side burns. @janinegibson.ft.com don't get any ideas.
www.theguardian.com/music/video/...
www.theguardian.com/music/video/...
How to dance Gangnam Style according to Psy - video
South Korean pop sensation Psy attempts to teach the Observer's Jay Rayner to dance Gangnam Style
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Facebook tells me it is exactly 13 years since the Observer published this. It would be a shame not to share the joy. And the side burns. @janinegibson.ft.com don't get any ideas.
www.theguardian.com/music/video/...
www.theguardian.com/music/video/...
Have some pics to go along with this: the crispy chicken and rice cake. With chillies. The fish head. With pickled chillies. The cured beef with white chillies. The braised pork belly. Without chillies but with bao buns.
November 15, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Have some pics to go along with this: the crispy chicken and rice cake. With chillies. The fish head. With pickled chillies. The cured beef with white chillies. The braised pork belly. Without chillies but with bao buns.
For today’s @ftweekend.com I dive into the joys of the food of Hunan at Fiery Flavors, Southwark, with its brow dampening interest in chillies, pickling and curing. Fish head with chillies. Cured beef with chillies. Crispy chicken with chillies. You get the idea.
on.ft.com/3LGpJy7
on.ft.com/3LGpJy7
A thrilling introduction to the food of Hunan – Jay Rayner reviews Fiery Flavors in Southwark
A chilli-doused Chinese culinary adventure in the shadow of Canary Wharf
on.ft.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:16 AM
For today’s @ftweekend.com I dive into the joys of the food of Hunan at Fiery Flavors, Southwark, with its brow dampening interest in chillies, pickling and curing. Fish head with chillies. Cured beef with chillies. Crispy chicken with chillies. You get the idea.
on.ft.com/3LGpJy7
on.ft.com/3LGpJy7
Rachel Cooke was, among so many other things, a truly brilliant journalist: madly curious, fierce, funny, enthusiastic and all those things in person. She has left us far too young.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Remembering Rachel Cooke | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Rachel Cooke was, among so many other things, a truly brilliant journalist: madly curious, fierce, funny, enthusiastic and all those things in person. She has left us far too young.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Delighted to say tickets for my autumn 2026 Nights Out In The Kitchen tour, celebrating publication of my new cookbook in the autumn of 2026, are now on sale. Join me for a night of serious food chat, brilliant dinner ideas and some ludicrous ones too.
www.fane.co.uk/jay-rayner
www.fane.co.uk/jay-rayner
November 14, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Delighted to say tickets for my autumn 2026 Nights Out In The Kitchen tour, celebrating publication of my new cookbook in the autumn of 2026, are now on sale. Join me for a night of serious food chat, brilliant dinner ideas and some ludicrous ones too.
www.fane.co.uk/jay-rayner
www.fane.co.uk/jay-rayner
And the thrilling official announcement (well I’m thrilled) about Nights Out In The Kitchen, courtesy of the bookseller
www.thebookseller.com/rights/fig-t...
www.thebookseller.com/rights/fig-t...
Fig Tree acquires Jay Rayner’s Nights Out in the Kitchen
Fig Tree has acquired Nights Out in the Kitchen: More Recipes and Stories from a Restaurant Critic’s Life by Jay Rayner, the follow up to his bestselling cookbook Nights Out at Home.
www.thebookseller.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:32 AM
And the thrilling official announcement (well I’m thrilled) about Nights Out In The Kitchen, courtesy of the bookseller
www.thebookseller.com/rights/fig-t...
www.thebookseller.com/rights/fig-t...
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT TIME. I’m delighted to say a follow up to Nights Out At Home is coming. I’m delighted to say Nights Out In The Kitchen is published next September and to celebrate I’m going back out on tour with a brand new show. On priority sale tomorrow and general sale Friday.
November 12, 2025 at 9:59 AM
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT TIME. I’m delighted to say a follow up to Nights Out At Home is coming. I’m delighted to say Nights Out In The Kitchen is published next September and to celebrate I’m going back out on tour with a brand new show. On priority sale tomorrow and general sale Friday.
Amused by the number of people who seem surprised that two restaurant critics, working for entirely different newspapers and therefore not sharing information in any way, should somehow have reviewed the same high profile opening. It’s a mystery.
November 9, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Amused by the number of people who seem surprised that two restaurant critics, working for entirely different newspapers and therefore not sharing information in any way, should somehow have reviewed the same high profile opening. It’s a mystery.
Sunday Nov 16 the JR Sextet are playing @pizzaexpresslive Holborn. We’re getting a little free with our 80s jazz thing. We have a new Matt Bianco tune, but we’re also hopping back to the 70s (just) and forward to the noughties. Do Join us. Ticket link below.
www.pizzaexpresslive.com/whats-on/jaz...
www.pizzaexpresslive.com/whats-on/jaz...
November 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Sunday Nov 16 the JR Sextet are playing @pizzaexpresslive Holborn. We’re getting a little free with our 80s jazz thing. We have a new Matt Bianco tune, but we’re also hopping back to the 70s (just) and forward to the noughties. Do Join us. Ticket link below.
www.pizzaexpresslive.com/whats-on/jaz...
www.pizzaexpresslive.com/whats-on/jaz...
For today’s @ftweekend.com I’m at Lillibet’s, which is ‘Camp, chaotic, Queen-themed . . . and potentially very good’. Certainly, if you were thinking of redecorating with floral prints give it up. There aren’t any left. They’re all in Lillibet’s.
on.ft.com/43mEsnL
on.ft.com/43mEsnL
‘Camp, chaotic, Queen-themed . . . and potentially very good — Jay Rayner reviews Lilibet’s, Mayfair’
This silly, spendy seafood restaurant has the potential to be an awful lot of fun
on.ft.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:02 AM
For today’s @ftweekend.com I’m at Lillibet’s, which is ‘Camp, chaotic, Queen-themed . . . and potentially very good’. Certainly, if you were thinking of redecorating with floral prints give it up. There aren’t any left. They’re all in Lillibet’s.
on.ft.com/43mEsnL
on.ft.com/43mEsnL
It is delightful that my podcast Out To Lunch has found a new audience on BBC Sounds. But as a service to all those agents who can't be bothered to do any research, and there are many, I stopped recording it three years ago. So no, I would not like to feature your celebrity nutritionist client.
November 5, 2025 at 4:13 PM
It is delightful that my podcast Out To Lunch has found a new audience on BBC Sounds. But as a service to all those agents who can't be bothered to do any research, and there are many, I stopped recording it three years ago. So no, I would not like to feature your celebrity nutritionist client.
Hampstead is to get a new pub theatre in the shape of the Circle & Star (formerly Pentametres), led by the magnificent @stevefurst.bsky.social. To support its (re)birth I'm doing an event there with Steve on Jan 22. Some chat. Some music. Hope you can join us.
www.tickettailor.com/events/circl...
www.tickettailor.com/events/circl...
Buy tickets – JAY RAYNER — NOTES, TASTES & STORIES – The Circle and Star Theatre
JAY RAYNER — NOTES, TASTES & STORIES – The Circle and Star Theatre, Thu 22 Jan 2026 - Restaurant critic, writer, broadcaster, and jazz pianist — Jay Rayner brings words, wit and music to Circle & ...
www.tickettailor.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Hampstead is to get a new pub theatre in the shape of the Circle & Star (formerly Pentametres), led by the magnificent @stevefurst.bsky.social. To support its (re)birth I'm doing an event there with Steve on Jan 22. Some chat. Some music. Hope you can join us.
www.tickettailor.com/events/circl...
www.tickettailor.com/events/circl...
I supect we'll be in for some quite contrasting obituaries with this one. Because there are 'other things'.
Sorry to learn, via Tariq Ali, that a veteran of the British left Richard Gott died this morning (1938-2025). Gott was the person who identified Che Guevara's body after he was murdered by Bolivian forces in 1967. He later went on to be Features Editor of the Guardian amongst other things
November 2, 2025 at 4:33 PM
I supect we'll be in for some quite contrasting obituaries with this one. Because there are 'other things'.
The Jr Sextet’s December show is basically sold out but there are tickets for our November show at pizza express Holborn. We’ve added a bunch of new tunes including this version of Herbie Mann’s Right Now (covered by the creatures in the 80s).
www.jayrayner.co.uk/shows
www.jayrayner.co.uk/shows
November 1, 2025 at 8:47 AM
The Jr Sextet’s December show is basically sold out but there are tickets for our November show at pizza express Holborn. We’ve added a bunch of new tunes including this version of Herbie Mann’s Right Now (covered by the creatures in the 80s).
www.jayrayner.co.uk/shows
www.jayrayner.co.uk/shows
Today’s @ftweekend.com finds me at Starling in Esher and very happy I am about it too. Nick Beardshaw’s dishes are full of whizz bang flavours, and the room buzzes with happy chatter. One of my picks of the year.
on.ft.com/4nCIpfs
on.ft.com/4nCIpfs
‘One of my picks of the year’ — Jay Rayner reviews Starling in Surrey
‘Great British Menu’ winner Nick Beardshaw has created that rare thing: a restaurant that gets everything right
on.ft.com
November 1, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Today’s @ftweekend.com finds me at Starling in Esher and very happy I am about it too. Nick Beardshaw’s dishes are full of whizz bang flavours, and the room buzzes with happy chatter. One of my picks of the year.
on.ft.com/4nCIpfs
on.ft.com/4nCIpfs
I’ve done some book reviewing. Restaurants, name dropping and backstabbing. All life is there.
This is the most fun thing you can read today: @jayrayner1.bsky.social on the memoirs of three very different restaurateurs. Gift link free for 300 clicks on.ft.com/4qx0yhn
It’s not about the food — the secret of a great restaurant
[FREE TO READ] Is entrepreneurship plus celebrity the recipe for success? Jay Rayner on restaurateurs’ memoirs, from The Ivy’s Jeremy King to Drew Nieporent’s venture with Robert De Niro
on.ft.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:23 AM
I’ve done some book reviewing. Restaurants, name dropping and backstabbing. All life is there.
For today’s @ftweekend.com I’m at two new specialist Japanese places: Katsuro, which serves really good Katsu, made with fresh breadcrumbs, and Hinaga for sweet snowy shaved ice peaks of kakigori.
on.ft.com/475H5N6
on.ft.com/475H5N6
It takes two specialist Japanese restaurants – Jay Rayner reviews Katsuro and Hinaga, London
First a proper katsu then a venue change for afters
on.ft.com
October 25, 2025 at 7:18 AM
For today’s @ftweekend.com I’m at two new specialist Japanese places: Katsuro, which serves really good Katsu, made with fresh breadcrumbs, and Hinaga for sweet snowy shaved ice peaks of kakigori.
on.ft.com/475H5N6
on.ft.com/475H5N6