A Greedy Man in a Hungry World: How (almost) everything you thought you knew about food is wrong

Jay Rayner

May 2013 · Sold by HarperCollins UK

About this ebook

The UK’s most influential food and drink journalist shoots a few sacred cows of food culture.

Buying ‘locally’ does no good. Farmers’ markets are merely a lifestyle choice. And ‘organic’ is little more than a marketing label, way past its sell by date. This may be a little hard to swallow for the ethically-aware food shopper but it doesn’t make it any less true. And now the UK’s most outspoken and entertaining food writer is ready to explain why.

Jay Rayner combines personal experience and hard-nosed reportage to explain why the doctrine of organic has been eclipsed by the need for sustainable intensification; and why the future lies in large-scale food production rather than the cottage industries that foodies often cheer for. From the cornfields of Illinois to the killing lines of Yorkshire abattoirs, Rayner takes us on a journey that will change the way we shop, cook and eat forever. And give us a few belly laughs along the way.

Ratings and reviews

This man has a wonderful way with words. On top of that he is remarkably intelligent and has a way deconstructing the current food arguments that dominate the landscape into delectable bite-sized pieces. A must read for anyone who knows anything about the current arguments about food, regardless on what side of the table you sit. His argument, at it's most rudimentary, is asking us to depolarize the issue and take a step back.

At turns depressing & hilarious this compelling book will make you cross & giggle in equal quantity. Written in Rayner's easy, conversational style, this feels like the best dinner party you ever held.

About the author

Since the publication of his most recent book in 2008, the award-winning journalist, broadcaster and writer Jay Rayner has gone from being one of the most respected figures in the food world, to a household name. His Friday night appearances on the BBC’s One Show, where he is the resident food pundit, regularly draw audiences of up to five million people. In addition he has presented Food: what goes in your basket for Channel 4, is a regular in the critics slot on Masterchef and, in February 2011, became the host of BBC Radio 4’s The Kitchen Cabinet, a new question-time format dedicated to everything we might ever eat. He remains the Observer newspaper’s restaurant critic and columnist, while writing for myriad publications both in the UK and abroad.