This one day, intensive meat course is hosted by our butchery expert Ray Smith, who you’ll recognise from our Channel 4 television series.

Ray worked closely with Hugh on the River Cottage Meat Book and is now a regular teacher at River Cottage HQ. An expert with many years experience, Ray will demonstrate how to get to grips with the carcass of a whole pig, transforming it into the full range of River Cottage pork products.

You’ll learn the process and principles of butchering and processing a pig, and be given a thorough practical demonstration of how to make your own air-dried hams, brine-cured hams, brawn, bacon, sausages, chorizos and salamis.

This is a one day course, suitable for small-holders, home pig-rearers, and general pork enthusiasts. Halfway through the day, guests will sit down to lunch prepared by the RCHQ team. This will include pork and seasonal produce from the River Cottage garden.

This event is demonstration based. Practical participation is not required, although volunteers are encouraged to take part in the demonstrations during the day

When you book this course you will receive free access to our Online Pig and Pork course, which is packed full of recipes, tips on which breeds to choose, housing, curing and smoking techniques, and much more (normal cost £20). You will also be given a handout on the day, which will include all the recipes covered by Ray during the day.

Alternatively you may be interested in a copy of our Pig in a Day DVD for yourself or your friends.  You can purchase these at the event, or from our on-line shop.

 

"I cannot thank you all enough for such a fantastic day yesterday. Everything was superb, the staff, the food, the service, the setting, the price. To come away with so much inspiration is just priceless..."

Seasonality: This event will run once a month. Due to the heat on the carcass, this event does not run during July and August.

Hugh availability: Where a course is described as being with Hugh, this means that Hugh is currently scheduled to be present for part of the event

Maximum no of Guests : 30

Location: This course is run from River Cottage H.Q on the Dorset/Devon borders. Full address details of H.Q. will be provided once you have booked.

Wine/drink: We are a licensed venue. We also have a Bring Your Own policy and we do not charge corkage. We have a wide selection of the finest organic wines. We will be serving cordial and iced water from our own well.

Accommodation: If you need local accommodation, click here for a list of hotels and bed & breakfasts, recommended to us by our customers. We don’t have camping facilities ourselves, but for information on local campsites and self catering accommodation, call the Lyme Regis Tourist Information Office on 012.... They will be very happy to help.

Age: We would advise that this course is only really suitable for 12yrs of age and upwards. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. We put these guidelines for the safety, comfort and enjoyment of all our guests.

Time: 10.00am - 5.00pm

Once you have booked, you will receive email confirmation of your places purchased along with all of the details of the event including the address, map and directions to River Cottage HQ.