Wigan venue plays host to Radio 4 culinary panel show

Jay Rayner and a panel of four other notables attended Wigan Little Theatre to answer audience questions that might change the way we think about food, cooking and eating.

The panel comprised foodies Nisha Katona, Rob Owen-Brown, Sophie Wright and Dr Annie Gray.

The show travels around the UK and in every venue features popular local food topics, needless to say, pies featured heavily, as well a Wigan’s traditional sweet treat, Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls.

Special guests were Galloways Bakery Manager is Eric Scrivens and MD of Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls, John Winnard representing the town’s traditional fare.

People from across the region made up the audience and were invited to ask questions so that panel members shared their expertise and provided hints, tips and advice.

Chair of Wigan Little Theatre, Anne Woolley said: “We really enjoyed welcoming the BBC to our lovely theatre and were delighted that so many people made the journey to be present.”

The Wigan edition of The Kitchen Cabinet will be aired on Radio 4 on December 9 at 10.30am and is a Somethin’ Else production for BBC.

It is understood that after the recording Mr Rayner popped up Wigan Lane to sample some of the delights of Ella’s Turkish restaurant.

Whether a food critique will eventually appear in a national newspaper is not known.