Join us for our A Cook on the Wild Side course, named after Hugh’s first TV show, where you’ll discover the joys of cooking with wild foods. Over one day, you’ll learn to create dishes using wild produce, including plants, meat, and seafood, with expert guidance from our River Cottage chefs. Enjoy sampling your creations and a fantastic lunch.
While some wild ingredients will be pre-sourced, you’ll also embark on a foraging adventure in the fields and hedges at River Cottage HQ. After foraging, head back to the cook school to learn how to prepare and cook a variety of truly wild dishes.
Seasonally, you may gather wild greens like nettles, sorrel, or wild garlic. As summer and autumn approach, the focus will shift to fungi, wild fruits, and nuts. You’ll also get hands-on experience with wild meats, such as rabbit, pigeon, or venison, and may have the chance to prepare locally caught wild seafood and edible seaweeds.
With the stunning Devon countryside and seashore as your larder, there’s no better place to embrace the ingredients nature has to offer. Join our course and explore the best of wild foods in the UK!
“Could not have been better. The dishes cooked were exactly what I associate with River Cottage and were made all the more special by the fresh seashore ingredients that were gathered fresh that morning.” Laura, June 2023
10:00 - 17:00
You will meet your chef, and start the day with tea, coffee and treats fresh from the kitchen while we teach you the basics of wild, seasonal food.
First off you’ll prepare your game. Depending on the season you may learn how to pluck a wood pigeon or skin a rabbit before preparing it for cooking
Next we'll take you on a tour of River Cottage HQ, foraging in the fields and hedgerows for edible treats. Depending on the season you might find sorrel, parasol mushrooms, sloes or haw berries
Back in the cookery school, you’ll prepare your lunch with some freshly foraged goods.
It's time to tuck into your creations for lunch
Next using the game you prepared earlier you will cook a dish to take home with you. You'll then finish your day with a sweet from the kitchen.
There will be time to chat to your fellow scholars and the River Cottage team, before heading back up the hill.
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.
We are a licensed venue. We have a wide selection of the finest organic wines available to purchase.
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.
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.
Sorry, we’re afraid this course is not suitable for those with allergies or specific dietary requirements. However we do run courses that are gluten free, vegetarian and vegan friendly. Please get in touch if you have any questions or need further details.