Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, celebrity chef, television personality, journalist, food writer, and campaigner on food and environmental issues, leaves London to pursue an ambition of self-sufficiency, growing his own vegetables and raising his own animals in Dorset.

Celebrated chef and self sufficiency guru Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall hands the River Cottage baton to an Australian counterpart – former Tasmanian chef, Paul West – who faces new challenges and uniquely Australian characters as he attempts to set up his own farm near the historic and picturesque village of Central Tilba on the NSW Far South Coast.

More advice from eco-friendly cook Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, as he goes on a coastal tour of the country sampling its seafood dishes in this latest outing from the River Cottage.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's iconic series returns with its inspiring food philosophy - and River Cottage has never been busier or more relevant.

After a summer of eating veg, Hugh is ready to celebrate Christmas with a renewed sense of the value of meat - but also the wonders of seasonal vegetables. This year all the meat comes from the most extensively-living, free-ranging animals of them all - wild game - and more specifically those that are viewed by many people as pests.The River Cottage chefs sharpen their knives in pursuit of wild boar, muntjack deer and greylag geese. Head gardener Mark Diacono and Hugh seek to make the most of their veg patch, even in the depths of winter, unearthing some Christmas favourites, as well as some heritage varieties from off the beaten path. Forager John Wright teams up with Pam 'the Jam' Corbin to make some luxury stocking fillers. And the Canteen hosts a `12 Tasters of Christmas' night, packed with ideas to create an array of canapes and little bites, perfect for that festive drinks party.

Join the eccentric household of River Cottage in a special edition for the festive season as Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall prepares for Christmas Day. In accordance with River Cottage custom, Hugh turns to the land to provide the Yuletide feast, transforming one of the legs of his pigs into a traditional glazed ham. His mince pies made with real lamb mince, cider-apple brandy butter and marrons glaces are a hit at the local Bridport Farmers' Christmas market.

In an evening of traditional festive British foods, look out for luxuriously rich Christmas bread, Hugh’s take on a sweet chutney, a trio of recipes for that wonderful winter root celeriac, tips on filling the perfect homemade hamper, and some deliciously different ways to stuff a roast goose. All that plus a festive foraged cocktail, a gingerbread house competition, a caroling Christmas party and hangover cures!

Hugh and the River Cottage team offer not only a thorough grounding in the delights of small scale pig-keeping, but also a complete guide to butchering and processing a pig, from nose to tail. It includes full instructions for making your own hams, bacon and sausages, and much more besides. You don't have to be a pig-keeper to enjoy this package - just a pig enthusiast," says Hugh. "Anyone who likes pigs and pork, and wants to find out how and why the best pork comes from the happiest pigs, will get a great deal out of it," he adds. Here at River Cottage HQ, we are passionate about Pigs. They are the most charming of all our domesticated livestock, arguably the most delicious, and certainly the most versatile.

Just as spring and autumn reach their peak, River Cottage celebrates Britain's freshest food as it comes into season in the fields, allotments and gardens around the country.

Sit back, relax, and join River Cottage's resident experts for a series of one-on-one lessons covering all manner of country-kitchen cooking. There is something for everyone, including everything one would need to cook and live like Hugh.