A “craft of column-writing” masterclass with the Observer’s (in)famous restaurant critic, Jay Rayner, was a fun and insight outing.
To be honest, I went for the beer. The Guardian Masterclasses event, held at the Everyman Theatre near King’s Cross, was hosted in association with premium Italian brewery, Menabrea Birra.
I really like Menabrea. The fifth generation family owned brewery is the oldest continuously producing brewery in Italy and still produces its beer at the same location in the foothills of the Alps of Piemonte as when operations began in 1846. Beyond the heritage, Menabrea’s lager (Bionda) is an especially easygoing but flavoursome (and rather complex) quencher. Menabrea does a tasty amber (Ambrata) as well.
So, comfy setting, quality beer (not to mention Northern Italian charcuterie, cheese and nibbles) and the chance to hear a fellow at the top of his game impart some knowledge: It sounded like a nice night out and cool way to catch up with friend. Indeed it was.
All that said, I actually learned a thing or two, had a few of my own notions about writing confirmed, and left with a softened view of Rayner and his work. Rayner allowed for lots of questions and interaction with his intimate audience (more than one dozen, less than two). And it was interesting to hear him tell about how he goes about deciding which restaurants to review and writing his work. I also got a lot out of how he broke his presentation down by the types of reviews he’s written.
As for my softened view of him, I realised I’d never read all that much by him and what I had read was his more sensationalised (not necessarily sensational in and of themselves) reviews and from that felt he was a generally snarky and nasty guy. He’s not (though there is some significant snark to what he does). I more apt to give his column more than the occasional read and to consider his opinion on where to eat with more interest.
I’m also apt to recommend his masterclass to others. I pretty sure it wasn’t a one-off, and I know there’s a bunch of other Guardian Masterclasses held regularly.
Jay Rayner:
theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/series/jayrayner
Menebrea:
menabrea.co.uk
Everyman King’s Cross is located at 14-18 Handyside Street, N1C 4DN. Find out more at everymancinema.com.
