wires message > view profile >
May 21, 2010
at 11:28 AM

10 years have been great and it showed us all that we are not alone. Many thanks Hugh

Monkeysailor message > view profile >
May 21, 2010
at 11:58 AM

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing the River Cottage Cookbook over at http://www.upcraft.it/archives/217 . Even though I have owned the cookbook for several years, I still refer to my well-thumbed copy on a regular basis.

The sheer volume of information contained in the book is so great that I can find limitless possibilities for experimentation, and the narrative style is both clear and friendly.

There is no doubt in my mind that the River Cottage Cookbook stands head and shoulders above the competition, and it is no surprise to me that www.upcraft.it should present the cookbook as it's first formal literary recommendation.

annedewis message > view profile >
May 21, 2010
at 01:29 PM

10 Years ago Hugh and River Cottage changed our lives! We stopped eating ready meals, fast food and takeaway was vegetarian only for us. We dabbled in keeping hens and grow are own fruit and veg. We are by no means perfect and have fell off the landrover only a handful of times and succumed to a good curry. We always check we are eating free range, if not we have veg instead. If someone were to eat us, I'm sure they'd prefer us in the healthy and happy condition we are today than we were 10 years ago. Your book was and is a life changer. Big Thanks Hugh! True food Hero!

Martin and Kristine message > view profile >
May 21, 2010
at 11:38 PM

It's strange we have just this week started to read the book again , having owned it for nearly 10 years it's still a very inspirational and potentially life changing book, we both think in it's purest form it doesnt need any particular changes perhaps more of a postscript where it's all gone to now edition ?
We have everything ever published on RC and would say this book was the root of our whole lifestyle change.
From Animals to vegetables we have followed suit as have many others.
We dont think this book was the first obviously there were others but it did have a certain style and flare that captured the imagination of millions of people just at a time when we needed reminding of what the good stuff really is.
If the book is to be expanded upon could you consider a renewable energy section ?, it would seem appropriate to the natural way we are trying to live.
Thanks for the inspiration Hugh.
M&K

DobieG message > view profile >
May 27, 2010
at 08:37 PM

Hugh,
I am a resident of the United States, I learned of you not trough "The River Cottage Cookbook" but rather through F-word, your appearance on that show intrigued me and since I have been following you through your shows and the "MEAT" cookbook, indeed I would never ahve started cooking at all if it werent for yoursand Gordon Ramsayswork, the passion that I have developed through you rmany shows and writings are great. I have since developed a life goal of buying my own land and raising my own animals...River Cottage has indeed changed my life over the last 5 years, I have to extend my thanks to you for all of your hard work and efforts...since I have started with River Cottage, I only purchase organic, farm-raised, and free range products, I grow some of my own vegetables and fruits in my yard and I enjoy life a great deal more. You and your work have improved my life very much, once again I thank you...and hope to one day soon come visit River Cottage HQ.

Sandra and Geoff message > view profile >
May 31, 2010
at 08:38 AM

We have only owned a copy of this book for about 3 years but in that time, it has encouraged and inspired us to change a lot about our lives. We started growing our own fruit and veg about 2 years ago. The first year was a bit of a disaster but we learned from our mistakes and got help from the River Cottage Cookbook. We now have some lovely fruit and veg growing including strawberries, tomatoes, salads, potatoes, garlic, sweetcorn to name but a few. All growing in pots and baskets as we don't have a garden! I am currently trying to organise a community allotment and get permission from our local council to use some spaces of land which haven't been used for years. The book has also changed the way in which we buy meat and yes it does taste different when bought fresh. My partner is also in the process of taking up fishing as he loves his fresh fish!! The recipes in the book are brilliant. Some we stick to what's in the book, others we alter slightly. It's always good to experiment! And the kids love getting involved too. So on the whole this book has changed our lives for the better. We can't wait to visit River Cottage HQ for the autumn fair. We are really looking forward to sharing our experiences and picking up some new tips aswell.

Gregbritt message > view profile >
Jun 03, 2010
at 07:35 AM

Hugh ,
i would like to take this chance to thank u for producing one of the best cook books ive ever had the chance to buy or read , i used to help my grandad in his garden with diggging up new potatos and getting in the mint then givein them to nana to cook with me , which was fond times for me now im the dad to 2 beautiful kids Catlin and Charlie and we always look through all your books to decide what to do in the garden and what to eat when we have grown what we have planted thank u so much for rekindling my passition for growin and getting the kids into growin and cookin cos without you Caitlion would have never started to eat meet

heso message > view profile >
Jun 10, 2010
at 09:19 PM

i have had this book from when it first came out its timeless it will still be going strong in another 10 years

Talonsprocket message > view profile >
Jun 22, 2010
at 01:28 PM

My copy, although looking a bit tired, is extremly well loved. Its been dropped, watered and attacked by chicks but is still going strong. It has pieces of paper stuck in between it's pages and favourite reciepes copied on every available blank page lol (sorry Hugh).

SiteAdmin
Jul 29, 2010
at 07:46 PM

Like most people I started watching the early series' and became in instant fan, I bought the book just as I was leaving home for the first time; I read it from cover to cover, I couldn't put it down, I worked my way through the recipes, and probably banging the drum of animal welfare a little too hard for my family and friends liking, I didn't care! The book literally opened my eyes to real food and an interest in all things culinary, that to this day shows no signs of fading. It also made me realise just how passionatley I feel about animal welfare, especially when they are raised for food.

There can be no person who has had such an effect on my life as Hugh and THAT first book. My partner and I now reap the benefits of home grown food, and even in my little urban garden I have now realised a little dream I have had since reading the book and have taken on some ex-battery hens.

Without reading that book I am convinced I would have had a life of fast food, and factory farmed animal meat.

I cannot thank Hugh enough for what he has done for me. He is a true legend.