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Jay Rayner: Nights Out In the Kitchen

Jay Rayner: Nights Out In the Kitchen

Thursday 3 September 2026

Talks

Jay Rayner faces some serious questions and in Nights Out in the Kitchen, the show marking publication of his fabulous new cookbook, he’s finally going to answer them. What’s the secret to a great dinner party? Is a restaurant critic, renowned for his negative reviews, just a bit of a scumbag? What’s the best thing you can have on toast? Can you braise spaghetti? And what does a food writer do when they’ve run out of words like crispy, moist and dense? All of these vital issues, posed to Jay by someone very close to his cholesterol-drenched heart, will be up for discussion alongside many more as he sets out on tour.

Join wit, raconteur, and occasional pastry-wrangler Jay Rayner, for a couple of hours of intense foodie insight, fabulous dinner ideas and the occasional dodgy one too.

Top priced tickets receive a signed hardback copy of Nights Out in the Kitchen, to be published in September 2026. It’s the hugely anticipated sequel to Jay’s bestselling first cookbook, Nights Out At Home, and features more recipes inspired by his favourite dishes from over a quarter of a century reviewing restaurants, alongside a whole bunch of his own.

Members get priority booking and save money on bookings.

Planning Your Visit

Getting Here

Located in the heart of Chelmsford's West End, we are only a 10-minute walk from Chelmsford train station and a short distance from many of the city's car parks.

By Train

Chelmsford Train Station is a short walk from the Theatre. You can look at Greater Anglia to check which trains stop at Chelmsford Station.

By Bus

Chelmsford Bus Station is just around the corner from the Theatre. You can look at First Essex to check which buses stop at the Chelmsford Bus Station.

By Car

The closest parking to the Theatre can be found at Townfield Street car park (open till 11pm Mon to Sat but closes at 6pm on Sun), Coval Lane car park (entrance via Rainsford Lane, open all hours) and Fairfield Road car park, (entrance via Coval Lane, open all hours but there are restrictions in place Mon to Fri before 5pm, Fairfield Road car park is also used extensively by people visiting the city in general and travelling to London on the train so can be very busy at all times).

Visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/car-parks for information on all carparks before your visit. Charges apply at all times.

All Chelmsford City Council car parks are now cashless. You can still pay by card, contactless payment or the MiPermit app.