Classic Cookery, Meat

Hands on with Fish and Shellfish

10:00 - 17:00
|
from £196.00

Overview

In this practical, hands-on course, you will learn the essential techniques to prepare and cook a variety of fish and shellfish with confidence. The River Cottage chefs will share some of their favourite recipes, which you’ll prepare under their expert guidance.

The course kicks off with the essentials of fish preparation, including scaling and filleting different types of fish—both flat and round—with a particular focus on knife skills.

Next, you’ll dive into shellfish. Being so close to the sea, we are fortunate to source amazing local shellfish, depending on the season and weather. After a demonstration, you’ll practice preparing and cooking bivalves like mussels and clams. Your chef tutor will also show you how to pick and cook either a crab or lobster, which you’ll enjoy as a little taster.

You’ll learn various techniques for cooking fish, including how to cold smoke your round fish. Seasonality and sustainability are cornerstones of the River Cottage ethos, and our chefs will introduce you to the seasonal varieties of fish available, updating you on current sustainability guidelines and advising you on how to shop for the freshest fish.

Your day will include a fantastic fishy lunch, with the centrepiece being the flat fish you prepared yourself. As with all our cookery courses in Devon, there will be time during the day to explore the farm, stroll through the gardens, and see where some of your ingredients have been produced. You’ll leave equipped with the skills to learn how to cook fish and how to cook fresh caught fish with confidence!

Highlights:

  • Scale and fillet two different types of fish
  • Cook two delicious fish recipes
  • Prepare and cook bivalves such as mussels and clams
  • Get an introduction to cold smoking
  • Watch a demonstration on how to pick and cook lobster or crab
  • Enjoy a fantastic fishy lunch featuring dishes cooked by you and the River Cottage chefs
  • Indulge in tea, coffee, and nibbles on arrival
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Your day

10:00 - 17:00

Arrive at River Cottage

You will meet your host and settle in with tea, coffee and treats fresh from the kitchen.

SESSION ONE

Learn how to scale and fillet a round fish, which will be cold smoked and ready for you to take home later.

SESSION TWO

Practice makes perfect! You'll then move on to flat fish, learning how to prepare and fillet this different type of fish.

SESSION THREE

Under the expert guidance of our chefs, you'll pair your flat fish with seasonal ingredients to create a delicious lunch.

LUNCH

Take a break, relax, and enjoy your seasonal flatfish lunch.

SESSION FOUR

To ease you into the afternoon, your chef tutor will demonstrate how to pick and cook the crustacean catch of the day.

SESSION FIVE

Next, you'll learn how to prepare and cook mussels or clams, depending on the fisherman’s catch!

SESSION SIX

To conclude your day, you'll create another delicious recipe using the fish you prepared earlier.

DEPARTURE

You’ll have time to chat with your fellow participants and the River Cottage team before heading back up the hill at 5 PM.

Further Information

Directions

This course is run from River Cottage HQ on the Dorset/Devon borders. Full address details of HQ will be provided once you have booked.

Licensed Venue

We are a licensed venue. We have a wide selection of the finest organic wines available to purchase.

Accommodation

If you would like to stay at the heart of River Cottage, we offer overnight accommodation at River Cottage HQ in our beautiful 17th century farmhouse. We have three stylishly refurbished bedrooms for B&B plus the 2-bedroom Gardener's Cottage. These get booked quickly so for more information go to rivercottage.net/stay to book. Alternatively, we have put together a list of our local accommodation which includes B&Bs, self-catering, hotels and camping.

Suitability

We would advise that this course is only really suitable for 12 years of age and upwards. Under 16s must be accompanied by a paying adult. We put these guidelines in place for the safety, comfort and enjoyment of all our guests.

Allergy Advice

We’re afraid this course isn't suitable for those with fish and seafood allergies, however please do get in touch before booking to see if we can accommodate you.