Avodk a highball with Jay Rayner
The broadcaster, food critic and jazz pianist spills on the dangers of allotments, restaurant staff shortages – and playing with fire
INTERVIEW: KERRY FOWLER. PORTRAIT: JONATHAN STEWART. ILLUSTRATION: ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES
I totally understand why people have allotments: it’s a great form of exercise, great for mental health and wellbeing.
The problem is they produce gluts. People come up with interesting chutneys, some of which I’d really like to try, but it’s a problem when you get into the complex psychodrama of friends turning up on your doorstep with homegrown bounty, causing you to try not to be resentful. I just wish nature wasn’t quite so bountiful – or people with allotments would keep their bloody bounty to themselves.