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A Perfect River Cottage Night

We always have a stream of photos, and stories from our events so we thought, as a team, we would keep you updated, as live as possible with all the event action. For photos, recipes, tips and quotes, keep an eye on the Events Team Blog.

The First Annual Members Party, 28th June 2008 

 

 

 

There’s nothing like a party at the end of a long day at the end of a long week. It’s been flat out here at HQ preparing for the first River Cottage Members Party , and turning the corner at the top of the slope on the way down to the farm it’s good to see the weather’s on our side. 

  

 

 

Strawberry bellinis and scallop with pea puree canapés are just about the perfect welcome – throw in sunshine and good company and the evening very quickly fell into one of smiling celebration. Hugh’s about, chatting, signing, and (it has to be said) drinking the evening merrily away, along with Ray Smith, Pam the Jam and John Wright. Everyone’s talking. We kept the numbers down to 250 in the hope that there would be enough people to inspire a party but not too many that there wasn’t the space to explore HQ or to have a chance to talk to the River Cottage team and it seems to be the perfect balance.  

 

 

After a couple of lively hours of early evening natter and nibbles, it’s time to eat. The food at River Cottage is always unsurprisingly first class but tonight the kitchen and front of house team are playing like Spain. Everything from the marinated raw sea bass starter to the summer fruit dessert is beautifully prepared, perfectly presented and attentively served. Everyone on my table is wondering how the next course can live up to the impossibly-delicious last, and every time it does.   Once feasted, there’s the prize draw followed by the ever-marvellous Guilty Pleasures, inspiring some dancing that spans everything from the truly funky to the startlingly agricultural. I am quietly advised to save my rendition of the Hucklebuck for the next Members Party. 

  

  For those of a less energetic disposition (or a more ‘relaxed’ state of mind) the huge bonfire provides a wonderful excuse to be outside in a late June evening in the glorious East Devon/West Dorset countryside. Six hours in, and it’s still all talk and laughter which is what the evening was all about. Spending time at River Cottage you are constantly reminded that it’s not just you who’s passionate about the pleasure in proper food, perfectly prepared, but tonight this feels particularly special. After a week spent wrestling with Tesco, it’s good to be in the company of 250 like-minded others and the sense of family is particularly welcome. The sun’s been warm, the cider cold, the beef rare and the laughter common. A perfect River Cottage night.

 

 Mark Diacono 

 

 

Image Gallery

 

 

Guest's Images

 

 

 If you attended the Members Party and have some pictures to share, please email them to us at events@rivercottage.net and we will add your images to this page.

 

Due to popular demand we have now released a second date for the Members Party, click  here to view full details and how to book.

 

Comments

Many thanks for an absolutely marvellous night, we will remember it for a long time to come. All the best from Ian and Fliss Barnett

Ian Barnett

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It was an absolutely wonderful night! We have decided to come back for this "annual" event in September, it was so good! With many thanks from Lynn and Thierry Viatge.

April Lynn Viatge

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Wonderful food, wonderful place, exceeded my expectations in all ways.  Thank you so much for a great end to a bad week!  Well worth the five hour journey.

 

 

Anita Twigger

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As always the staff at RCHQ events are truly excellent and its one of the reasons to go back as you know the customer service is so good.

We arrived very early and left quite late......but not as early or as late as the chefs...dedicated chaps, not sure its possible to have worked much longer in a day?

Special thanks to Elli, but all of Steve L's team do a great job. 

Steve & Jane

 

 

 

Steve Nother

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Amazing that is the only way to describe the whole evening thank you river cottage .We have just booked up for the septembers members evening.

Thank you again Gary & Debbie Haskell 

Gary Haskell

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Fantastic evening and the weather was so much better than forecast, which just set the seen. First time at River Cottage for us. Great to meet Hugh and the crew (picked up some very useful tips on all sorts of things). The house and garden were amazing. There was a great atmosphere on the evening, the canapes were wonderful and the food overall was stunning. Catering for this number must have been a nightmare, especially when the food was being transported some distance from the kitchen. The only complaint I would have is that the mains could have been warmer. Otherwise it was a major achievement to get us all fed with quality, well presented food.

We looked forward to this for many months and it didn't disappoint. Keep up the good work Hugh.

 

Norman and Jill Atkinson 

Norman Atkinson

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what a gorgeous evening. Sitting in the field with the sun on our faces and a bottle of Stinger by our sides, that was really nice.

The food was all top notch! Thank you to all the staff for all your hard work...thank you Hugh for taking the time to go around and meet everybody and speak to us..

A fabulous night all round.

Heidi & Andy

 

HEIDI STANDEN

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An absolutely fabulous night, the first for us at River Cottage, and we want to come back again and again!! The staff worked so hard and the food was excellent. Being in the company of so many 'like minded' people was fantastic and a real inspiration.

Extra thanks to Steve and Jane Nother who provided us with a lift to and from the event from our B&B accommodation. Thanks guys.......Hope to see you both again sometime.

Cheers River Cottage, we have waited over 10 years to experience you and we loved it!!!

Colin Evans & Dawn Staples

Colin Evans

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My wife & I attended the second members party. What a night. To be honest did not expect anything less. Met some wonderful people including Chris & Ellie whom we are hoping to keep in touch with. Yet again all the staff  were and are a real credit to the River Cottage Organisation.Hugh and the other special guests were flowing with information and happy to speak with people. Well Done. We cannot wait for the next one. P.s. see you all at the Duck Fair.

Gary Fincham

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