The Kitchen Cabinet

Jay Rayner and a panel of expert chefs, cooks and food writers dip into the TKC postbag with the goal of answering various culinary conundrums, sent to the inbox. Joining Jay are Jocky Petrie, Sophie Wright, Tim Anderson and Dr Zoe Laughlin.The panellists explore what to do with excess bottles of prosecco, the best method for resting meat, and which pan truly delivers the perfect grilled steak. They’ll also reveal their least favourite kitchen chores and share their secrets for identifying top-quality butter.Producer: Dan Cocker Assistant Producer: Dulcie WhadcockA Somethin' Else Production for BBC Radio 4

Transcribed - Published: 31 May 2025

Jay Rayner and a panel of expert chefs, cooks and food writers are at the Fallibroome Academy in Macclesfield, answering questions on bilberries and treacle. Joining Jay are Sarah Rankin, Angela Gray, Rob Owen Brown and food historian Dr Annie Gray.The panellists discuss their favourite ways to use up miso paste, the best savoury recipes involving treacle, and what to do with vegetables that have seen better days. They also share their true feelings about fried bread on a full English and what to do with a glut of homegrown berries.Situated on the cusp of the Peak District, Jay chats to local forager Richard McManus about the upcoming bilberry picking season, and the unique flavour profile of the bilberry.Producer: Dan Cocker Assistant Producer: Dulcie Whadcock A Somethin' Else Production for BBC Radio 4

Transcribed - Published: 24 May 2025

Jay Rayner and a panel of chefs, cooks and food writers are at the Bridport Arts Centre in Dorset discussing local favourites- Dorset Knobs and blue vinny cheese. Joining Jay to offer their tips, recipes and techniques are Melissa Thompson, Melek Erdal, Jocky Petrie and Shelina Permaloo.The panellists share their favourite recipes involving quail and the best ways to use up a large supply of crackers, and discuss the question 'why does tomato ketchup exist?'. We also hear some useful tips for assessing the spiciness of a chilli and whether the panel are for or against minimalist restaurant menus.Producer: Matt Smith Assistant Producer: Dulcie WhadcockA Somethin’ Else production for BBC Radio 4

Transcribed - Published: 17 May 2025

Jay Rayner and a panel of top chefs, cooks and food writers are in Ashford, Kent answering questions from a hungry audience of home cooks. Joining Jay are Mallika Basu, Lerato Umah- Shaylor, Rob Owen Brown and food historian, Dr Annie Gray.The panel discuss what to cook with buckwheat flour, recipes involving broad beans and settle the most fiery of food debates - do baked beans and peas belong on the same plate.They discuss flour and custard in all their forms and hear from Pat White of Ashford's Willesborough Windmill, about its 150 year history.A Somethin’ Else production for BBC Radio 4

Transcribed - Published: 10 May 2025

Jay Rayner and a panel of expert chefs, cooks and food writers are at the London Irish Centre, Camden discussing bouncy foods and cooking with corn. Joining Jay are Angela Hartnett, Jeremy Pang, Big Has and materials expert Dr Zoe Laughlin. They discuss their best methods for preparing garlic and how to add depth to a homemade tomato sauce, and debate whether fries should be loaded with toppings or left alone. Jay also stops to chat to Safia Jama from the Al Khaf family restaurant in Whitechapel about the flavours and ingredients involved in traditional Somali cooking.A Somethin' Else pproduction for BBC Radio 4

Transcribed - Published: 29 March 2025

Jay Rayner and a panel of expert chefs and writers are in Huntingdon sharing their top tips with an audience of keen home cooks. Joining Jay are Andi Oliver, Jocky Petrie, Melek Erdal and food historian Dr Annie Gray.The panellists discuss what to do with a glut of super hot chillis, recipes involving fruit and meat pairings, and the best way to cook an egg. They also chat about what makes a great dining experience, the best sauce to have on a doner kebab, and the food they would most like to ban.Situated in Huntingdon, home of the Huntingdon fidget pie, Jay stops to chat to Emma Talic of Measures Butchers about the history of the fidget pie and her favourite pie filling combos.A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Transcribed - Published: 22 March 2025

Jay Rayner and a panel of expert chefs and writers are in Huntingdon sharing their top tips with an audience of keen home cooks. Joining Jay are Andi Oliver, Jocky Petrie, Melek Erdal and food historian Dr Annie Gray.The panellists discuss what to do with a glut of super hot chillis, recipes involving fruit and meat pairings, and the best way to cook an egg. They also chat about what makes a great dining experience, the best sauce to have on a doner kebab, and the food they would most like to ban.Situated in Huntingdon, home of the Huntingdon fidget pie, Jay stops to chat to Emma Talic of Measures Butchers about the history of the fidget pie and her favourite pie filling combos.A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Transcribed - Published: 22 March 2025

Jay Rayner and a panel of expert chefs, cooks and food writers are in Milton Keynes sharing their top tricks and recipes with an audience of home cooks. Joining Jay to discuss barbecued desserts and paneer recipes are baker and writer Nadiya Hussain, food historian Dr Annie Gray, writer Tim Hayward, and chef Sophie Wright.The panellists discuss what they’d serve at a roadside food truck and their favourite recipes involving medjool dates, and debate whether brioche buns belong on burgers. They also suggest ways to use up leftover sourdough and share their ultimate recipes for a steak sandwich.Jay stops to chat to Alain Vivion of Brioche Pasquier about the history, method and flavour of traditional brioche.A Somethin’ Else production for BBC Radio 4

Transcribed - Published: 15 March 2025

Jay Rayner and the panel are in Newtownabbey celebrating the 300th episode of The Kitchen Cabinet. Joining Jay are chefs, cooks and food writers Melissa Thompson, Paula McIntyre, Rachel McCormack, and Jordan Bourke. Together, they explore the much-loved Northern Irish sweet treat, fifteens, and share the best ways to revolutionise a beef stew. They also debate the polemic culinary question - should stuffing be cooked inside or outside of the bird? Later on, Jay chats to Peter Hannan, the man behind the famous sugar pit bacon about how he makes his bacon taste so good. We also hear from local baker,  Shannon Holmes from Nanny Plums bakery, about the recipe, flavour and story behind the no-bake treat, the 'fifteen'. Producer: Daniel Cocker Assistant Producer: Dulcie Whadcock Executive Producer: Ollie Wilson A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Transcribed - Published: 8 March 2025

Jay Rayner and the panel are offering their culinary advice to a hungry audience of home cooks in Bradford, the City of Culture 2025. Joining Jay are chefs, cooks and food writers Rob Owen Brown, Mallika Basu, Sarah Rankin, and Tim Anderson. The panellists discuss the many ways to use cardamom in cooking, their top savoury breakfast ideas involving parathas, and answer the important debate - is a sous vide ever really necessary?Jay also delves into the history of South Asian sweets with special guest Haroon Habib from Bradford's Sweet Factory. Haroon discusses the art of crafting traditional South Asian sweets their unique flavour profile. Producer: Daniel Cocker Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Ollie Wilson A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Transcribed - Published: 1 March 2025

Jay Rayner and a panel of chefs and food writers kick off a new series in Newark. They answer a range of questions on coffee infused dishes and the best way to cook lamb. Joining Jay are food historian Dr Annie Gray, and chefs, cooks and food writers Lerato Umah Shaylor, Melissa Thompson, and Rob Owen Brown.The panellists also come up with ideas for cooking cauliflower, as well as some suggestions for using beetroot.Alongside the Q and A, Jay chats to Mat Short from Stray's at The Ossington about the do's and don't of using coffee in food and drinks.Producer: Daniel Cocker Assistant Producer: Dulcie Whadcock Executive Producer: Ollie Wilson A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Transcribed - Published: 22 February 2025