The Kitchen Cabinet

BBC Radio 4

<p>Jay Rayner hosts a culinary panel show packed full of tasty titbits that might change the way we think about food, cooking and eating. An expert panel answers audience questions.</p>

  • 27 minutes 49 seconds
    Peckham

    Jay Rayner and the panel are at Theatre Peckham in South London discussing melons, Nigerian barbecues and one-pan veggie meals.

    Joining Jay to answer an array of kitchen questions are are chefs, cooks and food writers, Melissa Thompson, Shelina Permalloo, Lerato and Jeremy Pang.

    Situated a stone's throw from Peckham's Melon Road, the panel discuss the wonders of Chinese savoury melons and their top melon-based dishes. While Melissa teaches the do's and don'ts of dry rub seasonings, the panel share their most exciting recipes involving potatoes and disclose what they would deem their own 'happy meal'.

    Later on, Jay chats to local restaurateur and chef, Kolawole Ajayi, of Suyaar restaurant on Rye Lane, to discuss the traditional methods of making and preparing Nigerian suya beef.

    Producer: Dulcie Whadcock Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    25 April 2026, 9:38 am
  • 27 minutes 38 seconds
    Stockport

    Jay Rayner and the panel are at the Forum Theatre in Stockport answering the questions from a keen audience of home cooks. Joining Jay are chefs, cooks and food writers, Angela Gray, Sarah Rankin, Nisha Katona and Rob Owen Brown.

    The panellists discuss how to use orange in savoury dishes, the best uses for leftover celery, and the question on everyone's mind - should orange juice be with bits or smooth?

    Jay chats to chef and founder of local Cambodian restaurant, Y Sok about the flavours, techniques and importance of fish sauce in Cambodian cookery.

    Producer: Dulcie Whadcock Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    17 April 2026, 9:30 am
  • 27 minutes 49 seconds
    Postbag

    Jay Rayner and the Kitchen Cabinet panel return with a Postbag edition, answering questions sent in by you, the listeners.

    Chefs, cooks and food writers, Jocky Petrie, Sophie Wright, Melek Erdal and Jeremy Pang, wrestle with a bumper serving of culinary dilemmas. Topics include, what you should do with two kilos of fresh lychees, whether flouring mean before browning is recommended or an unnecessary faff, and which kitchen gadgets are more trouble to clean than they’re worth.

    Along the way they tackle fears of fish bones, scepticism about expensive caviar, complaints about the word “smell”, and the perennial question of whether chefs lean too heavily on onions and garlic.

    Producer: Dan Cocker Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    13 April 2026, 9:20 am
  • 27 minutes 45 seconds
    Bristol

    Jay Rayner and the panel are in Bristol where they take on a fresh batch of questions from an audience of hungry home cooks.

    Joining Jay are chefs, cooks and food writers, Angela Gray, James 'Jocky' Petrie, Sophie Wright and resident food historian Dr Annie Gray.

    Together they share their secrets for perfectly fluffy omelettes, debate the age‑old question of whether puff pastry is better homemade or shop‑bought, and celebrate 'Something on a Stick' Day with their recommendations for stick‑based dishes for an Easter BBQ. And amid the good‑natured chat, it turns out dough isn’t the only thing that gets cross, as the panel unleash their views on the worst hot cross bun “abominations” they’ve encountered lately.

    Producer: Matt Smith Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    27 March 2026, 10:30 am
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