Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
Despite recent strange diversions Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is one of the pillars upon which my culinary world is built.
I loved his early adventures in cooking rooks and placentas on Cook on the Wild Side and TV Dinners, River Cottage as a concept is close to my idea of heaven and his recent exploration of sustainable fish stocks is admirable and thought provoking.
Of all of Hugh’s work, his thoughtful writing on animal husbandry, care and the symbiotic relationship between people and domesticated livestock has informed and reinforced my farmer’s son attitude to this thorny subject.
The River Cottage website forum is a good source of gossip and like-minded individuals.
You can find a number of Hugh recipes for free on the BBC website including a favourite of mine pumpkin risotto. Hugh’s own site River Cottage also has some great seasonal recipes. Finally, Guardian Unlimited has a very attractive selection of writing and recipes, including a very topical one given my new blackberry based theme on mwnch, an article on Black beauties.
Then of course, there are his books, all of which I thoroughly recommend.
Just one piece of advice, stop hanging around in the play-ground with that bully Ramsay and his blubbery lipped side-kick Oliver and find some nice, sensitive friends of your own.
