Our Team

A diverse team collaborates in a cozy farmhouse kitchen, preparing meals and sharing ideas in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
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Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is a multi-award-winning writer and broadcaster renowned for his commitment to sustainable, ethical food and environmental causes. Through his River Cottage TV series and books, Hugh has built a loyal following, inspiring impactful campaigns like Hugh’s Fish Fight, War on Waste, Britain’s Fat Fight, and War on Plastic.

Hugh’s journey started with Channel 4’s River Cottage series, leading to the award-winning River Cottage Cookbook. Since then, he’s published thirteen books, including River Cottage Meat Book, River Cottage Veg Every Day, River Cottage Good Comfort and Much More Veg.

In 2004, Hugh founded River Cottage HQ, now located at Park Farm in Devon. It serves as a vibrant hub for Courses, Dining Experiences, Weddings, Private Events, and the renowned River Cottage Cookery School.

Hugh has earned a BAFTA and multiple awards, with campaign-driven shows like Fish Fight influencing EU fisheries law. He’s also an active journalist, Vice President of Fauna and Flora International, and a patron of Switchback, supporting young offenders in the catering industry. Want to meet Hugh in person and learn from him directly?

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is a multi-award-winning writer and broadcaster renowned for his commitment to sustainable, ethical food and environmental causes. Through his River Cottage TV series and books, Hugh has built a loyal following, inspiring impactful campaigns like Hugh’s Fish Fight, War on Waste, Britain’s Fat Fight, and War on Plastic.

Hugh’s journey started with Channel 4’s River Cottage series, leading to the award-winning River Cottage Cookbook. Since then, he’s published thirteen books, including River Cottage Meat Book, River Cottage Veg Every Day, River Cottage Good Comfort and Much More Veg.

In 2004, Hugh founded River Cottage HQ, now located at Park Farm in Devon. It serves as a vibrant hub for Courses, Dining Experiences, Weddings, Private Events, and the renowned River Cottage Cookery School.

Hugh has earned a BAFTA and multiple awards, with campaign-driven shows like Fish Fight influencing EU fisheries law. He’s also an active journalist, Vice President of Fauna and Flora International, and a patron of Switchback, supporting young offenders in the catering industry. Want to meet Hugh in person and learn from him directly?

Stewart Dodd
Chief Executive

  • An architect by profession, Stewart was an early advocate for sustainable design, lecturing globally on low-impact, ecological practices. He designed the site at Park Farm in 2005 and has played a key role in the evolution of River Cottage into the world-renowned cookery school and culinary business it is today. A shareholder since 2006 and a board member since 2015, Stewart became Chief Executive in 2018. His passion for food and hospitality, shaped by global travel, has been central to River Cottage's ethos.
A woman in an apron stands confidently, ready to cook or bake.
Emese Patko-Horvath
Chef Tutor

  • Emese is a chef and pastry chef with over 20 years of experience. Originally from Hungary, her culinary journey took her through Austria and Germany before she moved to the UK over 13 years ago. Since then, she has worked at Lime Wood and spent eight years as Head Pastry Chef for The Pig. Baking is her passion, and she loves using wild ingredients from her garden or foraging adventures in her cooking at River Cottage. In 2024, she appeared on The Great British Bake Off: The Professionals and has another exciting project airing in 2025. Outside the kitchen, she enjoys rollerblading, cycling with her daughter, and walking her collie by the sea.
Man stood in a green River Cottage Apron
James Whetlor
Head Chef

  • James first joined River Cottage over 15 years ago, working in the original canteens and soaking up the spirit of seasonal, sustainable food. Since then, he has written three cookbooks and built a career celebrating honest, thoughtful cooking. Now back as Head Chef, James says returning to River Cottage feels like coming home to family. His food is rooted in organic produce, low-waste principles and a deep love for the land and the people who nurture it.
Gill Meller
Specialist Chef Tutor

  • Gill has been with River Cottage for over ten years, working closely with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and playing a key role in all activities. He frequently appears on the series, cooking alongside Hugh. Passionate about outdoor cooking, Gill now hosts our River Cottage on Fire courses and has contributed to many River Cottage cookbooks, including the River Cottage Handbook: Outdoor Cooking. His expertise and enthusiasm for cooking in nature bring a unique energy to everything he does, inspiring both guests and colleagues alike.
A man wearing a hat proudly holds up a vibrant green plant, showcasing his appreciation for nature.
John Wright
Specialist Hedgerow Foraging Tutor

  • Author of several River Cottage Handbooks, including Hedgerow, Mushrooms, Edible Seashore, and Booze, John is a familiar face from the series. He regularly gives lectures on natural history and leads forays, many at River Cottage HQ, where he teaches the Hedgerow Foraging Course. With over thirty-five years of experience studying fungi, John’s passion for foraging drives his work, inspiring others to explore nature’s rich flavours.
Rachel de Thample
Specialist Chef Tutor

  • A journalist by trade, Rachel trained in the kitchens of Marco Pierre White, Heston Blumenthal, and Peter Gordon before moving into food writing and joining our cookery school. Specialising in fermentation, healthy preserves, and gut health, she’s authored The Fermentation Handbook, Less Meat, More Veg, and FIVE. A passionate supporter of local, organic food, Rachel became Head of Food at Abel & Cole and helped establish the award-winning Crystal Palace Food Market. She now teaches our fermentation, preserves, and gut health courses.
Andy Tyrrell
Specialist Chef Tutor

  • After training in London and working in top restaurants and gastropubs, Andy joined the River Cottage HQ team, eventually becoming Head Chef. He later co-founded Soulshine in Bridport. His passion for sensational sourdough has brought him back to teach our courses as our Specialist Chef Tutor. Andy’s expertise and love for baking have made him a valued part of the River Cottage family, where he shares his craft with others while continuing to explore the art of sourdough.
A man stands beside a beehive, observing the bees as they buzz around their home in a natural setting.
Steve Minshall
Specialist Beekeeping Tutor

  • Steve retired to Devon after many years in industry, seeking more time in nature while continuing his beekeeping hobby. His fascination with bees led to several apiaries, supplying honey to local businesses. He now cares for River Cottage's bees and teaches our beekeeping courses, demonstrating low-impact methods using our hive designs. In his spare time, Steve leads geology walks along Sidmouth’s Jurassic Coast, supporting the local museum.
A man wearing an apron smiles while holding a bowl of food.
Luther Batten
Chef De Partie

  • Luther grew up on an organic dairy farm in East Devon, where he developed a deep-rooted passion for seasonal, local, and sustainable food. He began his culinary journey at 15 as an apprentice chef in Honiton, where he gained a strong appreciation for foraging, fishing, and cooking in harmony with nature. Since joining River Cottage in 2023, Luther has taken on a key role as Chef de Partie and teacher, sharing his knowledge and skills with guests on our courses. He brings a thoughtful, values-led approach to his cooking, creating high-quality dishes that reflect his commitment to sustainability, provenance, and the River Cottage ethos.
River Cottage tutor seated in a serene forest, gently holding a basket in his lap.
Nick Phillips
Mushroom Foraging Tutor

  • Nick Phillips, also known as ‘Mushroom Nick’ to many locals, is our Mushroom tutor at River Cottage. A forager and mushroom farmer, Nick grew up exploring the hills and forests of West Dorset and specialises in sustainable mushroom foraging. When he's not teaching at River Cottage, he cultivates and sells nutritious mushrooms to eateries in Bridport and Lyme Regis, all while championing the idea of diversifying mushroom diets.
A woman dressed in a green vest and jeans smiles.
Charlotte Bentley
Events Administrator

  • Charlotte is the friendly first voice of River Cottage, responding to calls, emails, and guest queries with a smile. She assists with bookings for the Kitchen & Store, courses, dining events, and accommodation, expertly managing the events admin lifecycle. Devon has been her home since 2024, where she lives her dream countryside life. When not helping guests, she’s out with her 4 lively labradors, swimming in open water, or clay shooting. Charlotte ensures every River Cottage experience is unforgettable!
A man smiles working behind some flowers in the River Cottage Cook School.
Sean Smith
Cookery School & Accommodation FOH Manager

  • Sean joined the River Cottage team in 2019 and now calls Axminster home. With over 20 years of high-level hospitality management experience, he traded the fast-paced city life for the fresh air and slower pace of farm life—and hasn’t looked back. Sean oversees the onsite accommodations in the Farmhouse and Gardener’s Cottage, ensuring every course at River Cottage HQ runs smoothly. You’ll often find him in the Cookery School, Barn, or outdoor cooking areas, supporting guests and creating unforgettable experiences.
Lucy Edwards
Wedding & Private Events

  • Lucy has always loved everything about weddings—flowers, dresses, and stunning vistas. With over 10 years of experience working at venues across Dorset, Hampshire, and Oxfordshire, she’s thrilled to be part of the River Cottage team. Lucy’s passion for wedding planning continues to grow as she works with each couple, bringing their vision to life and creating memorable experiences. Her excitement for helping couples celebrate their special day shines through in every aspect of her work.
  • Email: weddings@rivercottage.net
A woman in a green dress stands gracefully in front of lush green bushes.
Jessica Church
Marketing Manager

  • Jessica spent years in the fast-paced agency world before joining River Cottage HQ to champion the seasonal, local, organic, and wild movement. Recognised as one of the BIMA 100 in 2023, she is among the UK's top 100 digital leaders. Jessica specialises in social media, video editing, website optimisation, and making digital marketing greener. Passionate about nature, she thrives on outdoor adventures. Whether surfing or helping to clean up Devon’s beaches, working tirelessly to make them both beautiful and plastic-free.
Josie Pink
General Manager

  • Josie joined the team in 2018 as a passionate foodie inspired by Hugh’s River Cottage TV series and eager to embrace its ethos. After gaining experience across various departments, she now leads the organisation and management of all stays, the café, courses, and dining events at River Cottage HQ. Josie’s deep understanding of the company’s values, combined with her love of food, ensures every event and course is expertly curated to offer guests an authentic and inspiring River Cottage experience.
A man wearing a vibrant flower crown.
Bob Haines
Farm and Kitchen Support

  • Bob is one of River Cottage’s longest-standing team members, playing a key role in caring for the resident cats and assisting in the kitchen. Outside of work, he fully embraces the River Cottage lifestyle, often diving for scallops to enjoy. Bob’s dedication to the farm, its animals, and sustainable living makes him an integral part of the team, helping to create the authentic, hands-on experience that River Cottage is known for.
A man stands in a field, gently holding a pig in his arms.
Oliver Rowswell
River Cottage Farmer

  • Oliver Rowswell was born into a farming family at Hartgrove Farm, right next door to River Cottage, and hasn’t strayed far from his roots in Musbury. With a lifetime of hands-on experience on local farms, plus some time spent farming in New Zealand (because, why not?), Oliver now heads up the farming operation at River Cottage. His passion for all things farming shines through as he looks forward to raising chickens, cattle, sheep, and pigs on the land. Oliver’s down-to-earth knowledge and hands-on expertise bring a fresh, lively energy to the team—and he’s always got a smile along the way.
River Cottage chef member headshot.
Raleigh Prinster
Chef de Partie

  • Raleigh has been a chef for three years, specialising in pastry. Originally from America, he moved to the UK five years ago and has since developed a deep appreciation for cooking with natural, home-grown produce. His focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients brings a unique energy to his dishes and to the team. Outside the kitchen, Raleigh enjoys wild swimming, walking his rescue dog Jett (who came from Greece), and foraging for wild foods. He loves making things at home and embracing the outdoors—how very River Cottage of him!

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