Jay Rayner

Jay Rayner 20191205

Jay Rayner (born 14 September 1966) is a British journalist, writer, broadcaster, and food critic. He is best known for his work as a restaurant critic for The Observer and his appearances on various television and radio programs.

Early Life and Education

Jay Rayner was born in London, England. He is the son of Desmond Rayner, an actor, and Claire Rayner, a well-known agony aunt, journalist, and novelist. Jay Rayner attended Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School and later studied at the University of Leeds, where he graduated with a degree in political studies.

Career

Journalism

Rayner began his career in journalism as a reporter for The Observer in the early 1990s. He quickly made a name for himself with his incisive and often humorous writing style. Over the years, he has written on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, and food.

Food Criticism

Jay Rayner is perhaps best known for his role as a food critic. He has been the restaurant critic for The Observer since 1999. His reviews are known for their wit, honesty, and detailed descriptions of the dining experience. Rayner has also written several books on food and dining, including The Man Who Ate the World and A Greedy Man in a Hungry World.

Broadcasting

In addition to his work in print, Rayner has had a successful career in broadcasting. He has appeared as a judge on the television show MasterChef and as a presenter on The One Show. Rayner is also a regular panelist on the BBC Radio 4 program The Kitchen Cabinet, where he discusses food-related topics with other experts.

Personal Life

Jay Rayner is married to Patricia Llewellyn, a television producer. The couple has two children. Rayner is known for his love of music and is an accomplished jazz pianist.

Bibliography

• The Man Who Ate the World (2008)
• A Greedy Man in a Hungry World (2013)
• My Dining Hell: Twenty Ways to Have a Lousy Night Out (2014)
• Wasted Calories and Ruined Nights: A Journey Deeper into Dining Hell (2015)

Related Pages

• The Observer
• MasterChef
• The Kitchen Cabinet
• Claire Rayner
• University of Leeds