Jay Rayner leaves The Observer for the FT

Jay Rayner is leaving The Observer after 25 years as its restaurant critic to take up a new position at the Financial Times.

The appointment is part of the FT’s plans to expand its food and drinks coverage.

Rayner, who is known for his honest and direct restaurant reviews, is joining the FT along with Marina O’Loughlin, who will be writing a monthly column about restaurants.

The newspaper’s current restaurant critic, Tim Hayward, will become the FT’s food writer.

Jay Rayner said: “I am thrilled and delighted to be joining the Financial Times as its new restaurant critic. I have been both an avid fan and devoted reader of the paper for many years and it’s an honour to become part of a team I have admired from afar for so long. I can’t wait to play my part alongside the huge talents that are Jancis Robinson, Tim Hayward and Marina O’Loughlin, in providing the most entertaining and authoritative food and drink coverage in the business.” 

O’Loughlin added: “After leaving The Sunday Times, I’ve made a hobby of saying ‘no’ to offers. So it’s with enormous pleasure that I’m now saying ‘yes’ to my favourite of all the major newspapers, with the best food and drink section in the business.” 

Photo: Shine TV