Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall to host River Cottage as legendary cookery programme returns
WHEN River Cottage first bloomed on Channel 4 in 1999, concepts like self-sufficiency, back-to- nature and grow-your-own felt like nothing more than a fad.
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's gentle cookery show planted a seed — and now those practices are part of everyday life.
So it feels right that the channel is bringing the foodie favourite back for a whole new audience.
River Cottage Reunited has been filmed at the same country cottage in beautiful rural Dorset where Hugh first became a star.
The chef said: “It’s brilliant to be back doing what I love the most — gathering the very best ingredients from land and sea, meeting inspiring growers and producers, and making delicious food to share with friends and neighbours.”
Hugh added: “It’s a life we’ve all been missing and it’s time to recognise and celebrate just how much it can do for us to live and cook a little closer to nature.”
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River Cottage became a mainstay of the channel when it aired between 1999 and 2011 and is the latest Nineties/Noughties favourite which TV bosses have revived.
River Cottage regulars such as forager John Wright and fire-cook Gill Mellor have also signed up to the reboot.
The four-part series, which will air on More4 in June, hopes to tap into the public’s post-pandemic mindset of exploring new places and supporting local independents.
New wholesome, home-spun ideas will be explored in the show, including bee-keeping, fermenting original drinks, and making delicious sourdough crumpets.
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But carnivorous viewers might feel short changed by the revived show, as there will be a focus on plant-based recipes to cater for the nation’s growing numbers of vegans and vegetarians.
That’s one food fad that is here to stay.
Chefs to impress Roux Jr.
IF you reckon the dishes on Bake Off or MasterChef look fancy, then wait until you feast your eyes on this.
Channel 4 has a gastronomic treat in store with a new show called Five Star Chef.
Set in London’s prestigious Langham Hotel, cooks will take over the Michelin starred-kitchen to cater for real customers.
is in charge and the contenders on the show are vying for one of the best prizes in telly – a restaurant of their own.
It has been co-produced with Netflix and will air later this year.
A source said: “The chefs will take on challenges like catering a wedding and creating the hotel’s fabulous afternoon teas. We are talking about luxurious, top class cooking here.”
I wonder if they need any volunteer diners?
Tom film on LGBT battles
OLYMPIC diver Tom Daley is travelling to the Caribbean, Asia and Africa to explore and challenge attitudes to homosexuality for a special BBC film, I can reveal.
The show will air this summer to mark the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
A source said: “Tom has quietly become a really effective campaigner for LGBT rights and this programme feels like a long time coming.”
Tom spoke at the Attitude Sport Awards last year about limiting access to competitions for countries where gay people are criminalised or killed.
And when he won 10m synchro gold in 2018, he said: “There are currently 37 countries competing at the Commonwealth Games where it’s illegal to be who I am. Hopefully, by the next Commonwealth Games in four years we can reduce that.”
Six stars replace Richard
WHEN Richard Osman announced he was leaving Pointless in April, many wondered who could take over the hit BBC1 game show.
Now I can reveal it takes SIX different celebrities to fill the daytime TV giant’s shoes.
Former Corrie star Sally Lindsay, comedians , Stephen Mangan and Ed Gamble plus presenters Konnie Huq and Lauren Laverne will appear on a rolling roster.
Richard will continue on Saturday night’s Pointless Celebrities.
Alexander Armstrong, who remains as a host, said: “Richard will still be in once a week to make sure everything’s ticking over.
“Loads of new and fun personalities on the desk next to me. I can’t wait.”
Bed not Made In Chelsea
JAMIE LAING has told of a challenge he and fiancée Sophie Habboo once faced that will strike fear into every man and woman.
The Made In Chelsea duo appeared on Jon Richardson and wife Lucy Beaumont's show, where they were tasked with erecting an IKEA flatpack bed.
On podcast Newlyweds, Jamie said: “We don’t know if it’ll be aired or not ’cos we couldn’t do it.
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“The instructions were there on the ground, we had a drill, we had nails . . . we didn’t even connect one bit of wood. We couldn’t connect anything.
“What are we gonna do if we have to make bunk beds for kids?”
