Chewing the Fat cover art

Chewing the Fat

Tasting Notes from a Greedy Life

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Unlimited access to our all-you-can-listen catalogue of 15K+ audiobooks and podcasts
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically.

Chewing the Fat

By: Jay Rayner
Narrated by: Jay Rayner
Try Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £13.99

Buy Now for £13.99

About this listen

Why are gravy stains on your shirt at the dinner table to be admired?

Does bacon improve everything?

And is gin really the devil's work?

In this rollicking collection of his hilarious columns, the award-winning writer and Observer restaurant critic Jay Rayner answers these vital questions and many, many more. They are glorious dispatches, seasoned in equal measure with both enthusiasm and bile, from decades at the very frontline of eating.

©2021 Guardian Faber Publishing (P)2021 Guardian Faber Publishing Culinary Adventures Food & Wine Gastronomy Professionals & Academics Witty Funny

Critic reviews

"This is Rayner at his rambunctious best: upfront, full-fat, and always deliciously written." (Nigella Lawson)

"A sophisticated palate and a fiery, comic tongue. Jay Rayner's food writing is brilliant." (Stanley Tucci)
All stars
Most relevant
Jay Rayner does a great job of recalling his food idiosyncrasies. Light heated fun and great entertainment.

Very entertaining

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Not the longest book but I very much enjoyed listening to Mr Raynor reading his own work.
A series of articles from the Observer Food Magazine which are funny and give you a glimpse into life as a restaurant critic. Jay Raynor tells it as he sees it as usual.

Enjoyable Glimpse

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I absolutely loved this book and Jay’s unique way, really brought this book to life.

I found myself smiling, raising eyebrows and having a huge belly ache laugh, at so many moments…

Yes, we’ve all experienced some of these moments too.

I do believe the final chapter was so poignant, reminding us to live and seize this day.

Thank you Jay, my only comment is…

More Please!



A quirky and delightful read!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
pork yes, trying to be trendy toilet signs embarrassing, yes, dribbling food down one's front yes, cooking for self yes,, and so much more ....it hits the spot but over far to quick

everything improves with the addition of pork

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Very funny and great observations of people's behaviour! Excellent of experiences at restaurants and irreverent to boot.

Brilliant

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews