Artisanal Skills, Gardening and Outdoor Courses

River Cottage on Fire

10:00 - 17:00
|
from £295.00

Overview

Under the expert guidance of Gill Meller, author of the River Cottage Outdoor Cooking Handbook, this one-day course will equip you with the skills and confidence to cook successfully over fire. You’ll learn to build and manage a fire while using various techniques to produce amazing tasting results.

The day begins with a hands-on approach as you build your own individual fire. Gill will teach you how to ignite your fire and manage fuel and heat while considering the various factors involved. Once you grasp the principles of cooking over the fire, you’ll prepare your breakfast of mushrooms and sourdough toast over it.

Next, you’ll prepare a hearty meaty stew that will simmer over your fire throughout the day. While your stew cooks, you’ll learn to cook with an earth oven. This ancient technique involves burying a shoulder of lamb in a pit in the ground, allowing it to cook slowly during the day.

After a substantial morning, Gill will guide you through techniques and recipes to create delicious flame-cooked veggie dishes, proving that cooking vegetables outdoors can be just as satisfying. Enjoy these dishes as part of a light lunch.

In the afternoon, Gill will demonstrate how to plank cook and clay bake fish. Finally, it will be time to retrieve your pit-cooked lamb for an early supper before you head home.

Highlights

  • Learn how to build and manage a fire.
  • Cook and enjoy a delicious alfresco breakfast.
  • Prepare a slow-cooked stew over your fire.
  • Discover the art of roasting a lamb shoulder in an earth pit.
  • Master recipes and techniques for cooking vegetables with fire.
  • Observe demonstrations of plank cooking and clay baking fish.
  • Savor a tasty late lunch featuring dishes you’ve cooked yourself.
  • Enjoy teas, coffees, and a welcome snack on arrival.
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Your day

10:00 - 17:00

MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME

You will meet your host and kick off the day with tea, coffee, and freshly baked treats from the kitchen.

SESSION ONE

Cook a breakfast of field mushrooms, garlic, and herbs on sourdough bread over your very own campfire.

SESSION TWO

Get a classic stew simmering over the fire, ready to enjoy later in the day.

SESSION THREE

Bury a lamb shoulder stuffed with herbs to cook slowly throughout the day.

SESSION FOUR

It's time to showcase vegetables as you whip up some stunning veggie dishes over your fire.

LUNCH

You'll enjoy a light lunch featuring your veggie creations, leaving room for all the delicious tasters throughout the day.

SESSION FIVE

Gill will showcase the art of plank cooking and clay baking fish, teaching you unique techniques for flavourful outdoor cooking.

SESSION SIX

To wrap up the day, enjoy a sumptuous supper of pit-roasted lamb paired with smoked cream and brandy truffles prepared by the River Cottage chefs. This is also your chance to get your book signed by Gill and ask any burning questions you may have!

Departure

At 5 PM, it's time to head back to the car park, concluding a fulfilling day of outdoor cooking and culinary exploration.

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

Sorry, we’re afraid this course is not suitable for those with allergies or specific dietary requirements. However we do run gluten free, vegan and vegetarian friendly courses. Please get in touch if you need further details.