Key Information
Boasting four masterclass sessions, this course is bursting with fun and flavour.
We’ll kick off with masterclass no.1: The origins of fire from the HGC Crew. Here you’ll learn how to make fire from scratch. And if that wasn’t enough we’ll also explore wood selection, as well as how to set up for backwoods cooking and basic axe skills.
Next, it’s onto masterclass no.2 of the day hosted by Matt Williams and Chris ‘Chops’ Taylor, the geniuses behind Whittle & Flame. In this session, you’ll come to understand charcoal inside out – how it’s made and how it works, as well as the difference in species and flavour in fuel.
Lunch will be a full-on feast of all sorts of different cuts cooked in a variety of different methods on different bits of kit used by both HGC and DJ BBQ – with a plethora of grilled and roasted sides washed down with a few brews.
After lunch, masterclass no.3 will have you learning how to master the weber for your next BBQ and conquer the low & slow on the beloved ‘della’ a beast of a lang which will be couched up in our walled garden. In this session, you’ll master smoking as well as how to set up your BBQ for quick-fire grills. We’ll also ensure you understand the basics of knocking together your own signature rubs – utilising the very best ingredients from the wild and our stock cupboard.
Last but not least, masterclass no.4 will be hosted by Nick Weston, Founder of Hunter Gather Cook, who will also be joined by Dave Fenning. Here you will learn about the foraged ingredients we use in our fire cookery, while becoming a master of all things meat. From knocking up some hazel-framed Muntjac Asadors for later in the day to breaking down some rabbits or pigeons, we’ll cover the basics of cooking dirty and will even show you how to construct your own clay oven at home.
Next, it’s over to you. The rest of the day will be spent preparing our feast for the end of the day and putting the practical skills you’ve learnt throughout your time with us into action.
We’ll wrap up the day with a few drinks in the barn, and enjoy a dinner like no other, feasting on all our hard work.
"I went back to basics to try and simplify life as I knew it. I wanted to see if it was possible to live as a 21st-century hunter-gatherer while really getting to know the wild ingredients I loved using in the kitchen."
Course FAQs
How do I redeem a Gift Token?
To redeem a gift token the recipient just has to decide what course they wish to partake in, check the availability and either book the course on the website adding the gift code in the checkout process or email at [email protected] quoting their name and preferences and we will send them all the information they will need prior to the course taking place.
Can I bring my pet?
Due to animal butchery on site, dogs or pets are NOT permitted on any of our courses.
Are the instructors actually qualified?
Yes, we have some of the leading outdoor cookery, fire masters and foragers in the UK working with us, all staff are first aid trained and food health & hygiene certified to level 2 and we have a 5 star rating for our kitchen.
Is there a toilet?
Yes, we have a fully functioning toilet at Shepherds barn, Very similar to the one you probably have in your house.
What about my dietary requirements?
Due to the nature of courses at Hunter Gather Cook, they’re not really suitable for vegetarians or vegans, as many courses involve butchery and consumption of wild meat… the clue is in our name. Having said that, this is probably the closest you can come to being an ethical meat eater, as all of our game is wild and shot by us or a local estate. So far we’ve converted a number of vegetarians, but if you are strictly plant based, our meat based experiences probably aren’t something you’d enjoy.
We deeply respect individual diet choices, which is why we are pleased to offer private courses which are completely meat free and just focus on the wonderful array of edible plants available on our site. For the pescatarians out there, you’ll be pleased to know we do catch fish from our lake which are eaten on courses.
Please ensure that you have a good breakfast on the morning of the course, as you will be preparing everything from start to finish on the day, so you should expect to be flexible on when you eat. Hunter-gatherers might not have regular meal times, but we sure know how to feast. You are welcome to bring along a few snacks if you wish, but please be considerate of the environment and don’t litter!
Please make us aware of any food allergies or specific dietary requirements you or your group may have prior to the course taking place.
Can I stay nearby?
We are based just outside the town of Lewes in East Sussex on Firle Estate, there are a bunch of different places that you can stay which we recommend, from fancy pubs to shepherds huts:
Bo-Peep Farmhouse
– 5 minute walk to the barn
Peaklets Shepherds Huts
– 10 minute walk
WoodFire Camping
– 10 minute walk to the barn
Dark Skies Shepherds Huts – Skylark
– 15 minute walk/ 10 minute drive
Dark Skies Shepherds Huts – Pegasus
– 15 minute walk/ 10 minute drive
Cobbe Place Farm
– 10 minute drive
Ram Inn
– Pub, 15 minute walk from local village
slightly further a field..
The Byre
– Idyllic barn, Alfiston
What should I bring?
Just yourself and a refillable water bottle. As a lot of our courses take place in and outside of the barn with the occasional foraging ramble, we recommend sturdy footwear, a waterproof jacket (we all know how the British weather behaves). A sense of humour and a willingness to learn about some wild stuff and get out of you comfort zone (chopping off a rabbits head highly recommended).
What about the weather?
Nature is unpredictable and the weather really is out of our control, although we do try our best. However, we’re prepared as we can be for different weather conditions. All our courses take place in Shepherds barn with big fires and plenty of shelter (after all…it is a barn.) we conduct our courses in all types of weather and we always deliver you a weather check on the Tuesday before the course takes place along with other info.
How can I get there?
We are based just outside the village of Firle near Lewes in Sussex. Full details of our location will be disclosed upon booking.
The nearest train station is Lewes, which has a regular service from London Victoria. You can get a Taxi from Lewes station which should take 10 minutes to get to us. For larger groups, a minibus can be booked through Chariots on 01273 813401. If you are driving by car, we have plenty of space for parking.
What time does my course start?
All our courses start at 10am unless specified otherwise. Please ensure you are punctual and arrive at 9.45am. We will meet you at the car park at 10am and take you up to shepherds barn.
Courses finish at 6pm but can run on until 7pm at the very latest depending on how well you guys do in the fire workshop and mixing your wild cocktails.
