If you didn't already know, as well as River Cottage HQ, there are four River Cottage Canteens. These are in Axminster, Bristol, Plymouth and Winchester. They have regularly changing menus and a wide selection of seasonal, local, organic and wild food. This particular event was a lunch with Hugh, where he came and talked to everyone about his ideas on food as well as his new recipe book River Cottage A to Z. Guests were able to go and have a chat with him during this time. Of course I couldn't resist the urge to say hi. We chatted about how Afra and I had had the pleasure of visiting River Cottage and how inspiring it was. I told him that my attempt of bring a chicken hadn't really worked and he advised that I should try it with some thighs to start with. So stay tuned and hopefully second time lucky.

The book itself is packed FULL of recipes.


Our menu had been specially designed using the book and the words in bold indicate what section of the book you will find the recipe. I am ashamed to say I had absolutely no idea that Pouting was a fish and had not even heard of the root vegetable cardoon. I can, however, now confirm that both are delicious!

So it is only fair that I share some pictures with you. First up was a cauliflower and nigella soup. Smooth and full of flavour. Next deleicata and butternut squash, shallot and mushroom tart, as well as cardoon brushetta with honey and thyme. Picking a favourite is like asking you to choose your favourite child. If I am honest, the cardoon brushetta probably had the edge. it was sweet and sticky and I might have had two!

Next was lemon cured herring with pouting fish fingers. I should point out here that the dishes are designed for you to share with a partner. I turned my nose up at the herring, until I put a spoonful in my mouth. Delicious.

The main course was Hampshire Angus beef cheek and parsnip and rabbit ragu. Both tasty, but now I was starting to get very full.

Unfortunately, as I had to pick the boys up from school, I made a quick exit. On the plus side, the lovely people didn't want me to miss out on dessert so they gave me a goodie bag. Oh my the bay leaf syllabub was to die for! After an hour in the car, my picture doesn't do dessert justice, so here is one that Afra from MadMumof7 took.

Photo Credit Afra Wilmore: MadMumof7

The meal was beautiful, the company fantastic (I also got to chat to Vicky from Verily Victoria Vocalises and Janie from The Hedge Combers. In addtion to a lovely couple who told me all about The Clink Charity.)

River Cottage A to Z is availiable on Amazon and check out the events page for River Cottage Canteen for future lunches with Hugh.