I find it hard to believe, but it’s almost an entire decade since The River Cottage Cookbook was first published.
To celebrate this 10th birthday, the book is being re-issued in a special anniversary edition.
I’m very excited about this for two reasons.
On the one hand, I still believe passionately in the ethos of the book and of course I like the idea that some new people might read it.
But, on the other hand, I’m aware that many changes have occurred since I completed the book, and this new imprint gives me a fantastic opportunity to add comments and notes which reflect those changes.
The worlds of food, ethical consumerism and self-sufficiency have moved on in the last 10 years.
Consequently, there are plenty of things I’d like to add to the text, and plenty I’d like to qualify.
But I also want to respond to readers’ plaudits, queries and criticisms.
That’s where you come in.
If The River Cottage Cookbook has some significance to you too, then I would love to hear about it.
Perhaps it’s a well-thumbed bedside read in your house, or a gravy-stained pillar of your kitchen library?
Perhaps, on the other hand, it contains passages that really get your goat. There may be particular recipes that you love, and others that haven’t worked so well for you.
Have you found my writing on raising livestock, growing veg or buying fish to be useful?
Or would you like to share your own expertise on these matters with me?
Whatever you have to say, I’d like to hear it.
The input of readers will be one of the major sources for the annotations to accompany the new edition – and I’m quite sure your feedback will make this a better book.
Drop me a message at hugh@rivercottage.net and let me know your thoughts.
Many thanks,
Hugh
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).
i have had this book from when it first came out its timeless it will still be going strong in another 10 years
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
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
10 years have been great and it showed us all that we are not alone. Many thanks Hugh