Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

A talented writer, broadcaster and campaigner, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is widely known for his uncompromising commitment to seasonal, ethically produced food. His books, journalism and series for Channel 4 have earned him a huge popular following.

Hugh started living in the original River Cottage in rural Dorset in 1998, determined to start growing and rearing some of his own food. His steep learning curve was documented in the Escape to River Cottage series (1999), which won him a big audience. Following this success, and the publication of The River Cottage Cookbook (2001) which won several awards, he was able to establish River Cottage HQ near Bridport in 2004.

Originally a collection of mucky cow sheds, the property was transformed into a rustic, welcoming venue with a professional kitchen, thriving vegetable garden and small collection of livestock. It became the location for a range of River Cottage events and courses designed to promote the “grow your own” philosophy and provide an environment where people could discuss, eat and learn about really good, well-produced food. It was the base for the fourth series, Beyond River Cottage (2004)

In 2004, Hugh published The River Cottage Meat Book to wide acclaim. It has become the definitive meat cookery manual for a new generation and won the André Simon Food Book of the Year Award in 2004.

Hugh and the team are now moving onwards and upwards. In 2006, we relocated to a new, permanent home on the Devon-Dorset border – Park Farm. Until recently, this was a traditional, family-run farm. It had fallen into disuse, but the River Cottage team are restoring it to its former state of busy productivity, raising livestock and growing a huge range of fresh produce to supply the kitchen and the new, improved range of events.

The latest River Cottage series, The River Cottage Treatment was broadcast in November 2006, to much acclaim, and The River Cottage Fish Book will be published shortly.

Hugh's latest project could involve taking on the supermarket giants as he opens his own River Cottage shop and canteen, near Park Farm, selling local, seasonal food.

Hugh continues to write journalism, including a weekly column in The Guardian.

He lives in Dorset with his wife Marie and their children, Oscar, Freddie and Chloe. He is Patron of the National Farmers’ Retail and Markets Association (FARMA).

At a glance

1965 - Born in London but raised in Gloucestershire.

Later attends Eton School and St Peter’s College, Oxford.

After graduation, Hugh begins his career with conservation work in Africa and spends a brief period as a sous chef at The River Café, London.

1990 - Leaves The River Café and moves into journalism and television production.

1997 - Presents first TV series, A Cook on the Wild Side - TV Dinners also airs.

1998 - Hugh moves to the original River Cottage in Dorset, to start his own garden and rear his own food.

March 1999 - The first River Cottage series, Escape to River Cottage is broadcast.

January 2000 - Return to River Cottage is broadcast.

February 2001 - Publishes the award-winning The River Cottage Cookbook.

July 2002 - The last of the series based at the original River Cottage, River Cottage Forever is aired.

May 2003 - The River Cottage Year is published.

May 2004 – Publishes The River Cottage Meat Book (later wins the André Simon award for Food Book of the Year)

October 2004 - A series documenting the move to the new River Cottage HQ is broadcast titled Beyond River Cottage.

October 2005 – The River Cottage Family Cookbook, jointly written with Fizz Carr, is published.

November 2005 - The River Cottage Road Trip, featuring Hugh’s exploits around the country is broadcast.

2006 - The company moves to Park Farm on the Dorset/Devon border.

October 2006 - An anthology of Hugh's food writing and articles is published: Hugh Fearlessly Eats It All: Dispatches from the Gastronomic Frontline.

November 2006 - The River Cottage Treatment series is broadcast.

November 2007 - The River Cottage Fish Book, jointly written with Nick Fisher, is published (later wins the André Simon award for Food Book of the Year)

January 2008 - Hugh's Chicken Run is broadcast