River Cottage

8:00pm Sunday, December 16 on C4

It’s Christmas at River Cottage and Hugh is throwing open his doors to some celebrity friends: comedy actors Kathy Burke, Stephen Mangan and Mark Heap. What could possibly go wrong? Kathy hates Christmas; so it’ll be down to Stephen and Mark to help Hugh to talk her round. Hugh takes Kathy out on a fishing trip to catch an alternative Christmas day main course – perfect for non-meat eaters like her, or anyone fancying a change from the boring bird.

8:00pm Saturday, July 7 on C4

Another chance to see this special episode of River Cottage. Philip Glenister, Keeley Hawes and Felicity Kendal swap the stage for the kitchen, and fancy shoes for wellies, to join Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall in a cookery masterclass. Over two days of good cooking and fun on the farm, Hugh introduces his trio to the ways of River Cottage, the importance of seasonal, ethical produce, and the delights of home-grown, home-cooked food.

8:00pm Wednesday, July 4 on C4

Three famous actors swap the stage for the kitchen, and fancy shoes for wellies, to join Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall in a cookery masterclass at River Cottage farm. Taking part are Philip Glenister, Keeley Hawes and The Good Life’s Felicity Kendal: the original poster girl for smallholders.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage headquarters have been damaged by a fire this week.

The cooking school was severely damaged by the blaze that began in the kitchen before spreading to the former threshing barn where classes are held.

Noone was hurt in the blaze, despite Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service saying that two large liquid propane gas tanks had to be isolated at the property.

A River Cottage spokesperson said: “Late last night a serious fire severely damaged the events barn at River Cottage Park Farm headquarters in Axminster.

“The large kitchen attached to the back of the barn, which is used for cookery demonstrations and large dinners, was destroyed. Nobody was in the barn at the time. Thankfully no people, or animals, were hurt. The cause is as yet unknown.”

She added: “The River Cottage team are dealing with the damage and are shocked and upset. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is away on a long-distance filming trip and will be informed as soon as he can be contacted.”

Source: Digital Spy

To launch the celebrations of 30 Years of Channel 4, C4 are bringing you something very special indeed. For one night only, Channel 4 hosts are going to be pushed right out of their comfort zones – they are job swapping with each other. Prepare yourselves for Channel 4′s Mash Up.

In early January, Channel 4′s Mash Up will change around much loved shows and much loved faces to create a never before seen night of top notch entertainment and comedy. How will they all cope?

The Million Pound Drop. She’s an amazing host but how will Davina fare when she has to play the game itself? And if that’s not pressure enough, Phil Spencer steps out of the estate agents and into her shoes as host.

Location, Location, Location. Kirstie Allsopp teaches Alan Carr some of the tricks of the property trade. Will Alan manage to negotiate a very real house purchase for a very real single girl in need of a home?

Come Dine with Me – Made in Chelsea. Without the benefit of caterers, event organisers and hired help…who will cook up a storm?

8 out of 10 Cats Do Countdown. Hosted by Jimmy Carr with Sean Lock and Jon Richardson competing. Will the team get beaten by the fiendish Countdown Conundrum?

River Cottage. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is joined at River Cottage by some very surprising helpers …Throughout the night rolling hosts will introduce each show plus sketches and some very special guests …

Justin Gorman, Head of Entertainment Channel 4 said “Some of channel 4′s biggest stars and some of our favourite shows as you’ve never seen them before. They’re swapping with each other for a treat and a laugh to kick off the New Year.”

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and the River Cottage team serve up an extra special festive menu with a twist this Christmas as they celebrate the renewed sense of the value of meat and the wonders of seasonal vegetables.

This year all the meat comes from the most extensively living, free ranging animals of them all – wild game – and more specifically those that are viewed by many people as pests.

The River Cottage chefs sharpen their knives in pursuit of a range of wild game, with the likes of wild boar, muntjack deer and greylag geese at the top of their stalking list, and take inspiration from the abundance of goodies available in the winter garden.

By planting up a selection of Christmas favourites, as well as some not so often seen, heritage varieties, head gardener Mark Diacono and Hugh will be able to show you exactly how, with a little forward planning, to get the most out of your veg patch, even in the depths of Winter. Forager John Wright teams up with Pam ‘the Jam’ Corbin to make some luxury stocking fillers that will suit all the family, not just the children. And the Canteen hosts a ‘12-tasters of Christmas’ night, packed with ideas to create an array of canapés and little bites, perfect for that festive drinks party.

The finale is a cosy Christmas get together for friends and family in the River Cottage barn, where the only things missing will be the turkey and the sausage rolls.

Sunday, April 4 on M4

Hugh is keenly devoted to the River Cottage garden, so when he learns slugs have been scoffing the soft cabbages he plans some drastic action. Snails have long been established on the River Cottage menu, so Hugh wonders if he can turn slugs into a culinary hit too.

Sunday, December 27 on M4

It’s been a bumper year at River Cottage, and to celebrate this, as well as 12 years of success, Hugh has invited some of his fellow food heroes who’ve worked alongside him over the years to a fabulous four-course dinner.

Wednesday, December 23 on 4

It’s been a bumper year at River Cottage, and to celebrate this, as well as 12 years of success, Hugh has invited some of his fellow food heroes who’ve worked alongside him over the years to a fabulous four-course dinner. Guests include Hugh’s mushroom man, John Wright, fishing pals Pat Carlin, Paddy Rudd, John Wallington and Nick Fisher, and Barbara Gunning, who’s going to help Hugh make the ultimate treacle sponge.

Thursday, December 3 on 4

Last in the series. With Christmas around the corner, Hugh has a plan. Instead of giving shop-bought boxes of chocolates, he makes his own, lip-smacking brownies that take ten minutes to prepare and two minutes to wrap. Hugh’s slaughtered steer has now been hanging for a month. Butcher Ray Smith and Hugh set to work extracting cuts for a party Hugh is throwing: the pair can’t resist making beefy canap?s of biltong and pastrami. Hugh’s valiant attempts to get wild rabbits back onto the British menu continues as he targets the notoriously awkward teenage demographic.