**Interview with Jay Rayner: Gourmet Hot Dogs at Harrods Dining Hall**

**Interviewer:** Thanks for joining us today, Jay! I hear you recently visited Hot Dogs by Three Darlings at Harrods Dining Hall. What was your takeaway on what makes a hot dog truly special?

**Jay Rayner:** My pleasure! To me, a classic hot dog is all about indulgence—it’s meant to be enjoyed without any pretensions. Think of grabbing one from a street cart in Manhattan: it’s a simple pleasure, fun and satisfying. You want that sausage to be smoky and to have a nice snap to the casing, releasing those savory juices when you take a bite. Sadly, the gourmet versions I tried didn’t quite hit the mark.

**Interviewer:** How did you feel about the gourmet hot dogs you sampled?

**Jay Rayner:** The concept itself is a bit flawed. Adding “gourmet” to a hot dog implies a level of sophistication that doesn’t really fit what a hot dog is all about. The prices, ranging from £19 to £22, felt outrageous for what I received. The flavors and textures were underwhelming, making it seem like a sad interpretation of a hot dog.

**Interviewer:** Can you dive a bit deeper into the texture of the hot dogs?

**Jay Rayner:** Certainly! The texture was surprisingly dry and grainy, which isn’t how a hot dog should be. The casings were wrinkled and felt heavy—almost like wearing an oversized sock. It seemed they either didn’t emulsify the meat properly or the cooking was overdone. The balance is key; you want a soft, sweet bun to contrast with the salty and smoky sausage. Unfortunately, these buns were dense and unappealing.

**Interviewer:** Were there any toppings or flavors that made the experience better?

**Jay Rayner:** There were a few interesting elements, like a smear of baba ganoush under one hot dog and a hint of truffle in another. But when the main component is lacking, no amount of fancy additions can really save it. It became more of a distraction than an enhancement.

**Interviewer:** How was the overall dining experience, including service and atmosphere?

**Jay Rayner:** The ambiance of Harrods Dining Hall is gorgeous, but even that couldn’t make up for the service issues. They gave us a cold moist towel and warm sparkling water—not exactly what you want. Plus, the wine list was overpriced, with bottles that didn’t match their listed prices. Overall, it felt a bit chaotic and unpolished.

**Interviewer:** Did you find any standout dishes that you enjoyed?

**Jay Rayner:** Interestingly, the sweet, salty spiced corn ribs were the best thing I had there. It’s funny that the highlight of a hot dog venue wasn’t actually a hot dog. Overall, the experience was disappointing, especially considering Chef Jason Atherton’s reputation.

**Interviewer:** If someone is thinking about visiting Three Darlings at Harrods, what would you advise them?

**Jay Rayner:** I’d recommend managing your expectations. If you’re looking for a gourmet experience, you might want to explore alternative options. You’d likely have a better time at a classic hot dog cart or a local diner that honors the tradition. Gourmet hot dogs might sound tempting, but they didn’t deliver in this case.

**Interviewer:** Thanks for your insights, Jay! It sounds like it’s a lesson learned rather than an experience to repeat.

**Jay Rayner:** Absolutely! Thanks for having me.