A Salute to....Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

Written by SuenMike Thursday, 18 November 2010 00:00

Hugh F-W has been appearing more and more on our t.v. screens and we say AMEN to that!

What exactly is so attractive about this guy?  

Enthusiasm –down-to-earthness – a love of gardening – a joy of sharing – a generous heart.  His recipes are straight-forward; his kitchen is simple and not showy; he puts on lavish dinners for friends, family, staff, neighbours.   He’s not too picky or squeamish.  He butchers, plucks, picks, plunders, and even swims for his supper – nothing is beneath this Renaissance man.  His easy manner is combined with an astute business sense and an appreciation of just-about-everything in the kitchen and garden.  And he likes to party.   

He encourages complete beginners and brings in ordinary folks to encourage them to develop their skills.   He wants to break down food barriers, making mystical processes, like bread-baking, seem less daunting. He tries to make everything less intimidating, less of a chore.   

Hugh is also a cheerleader.  He enjoys sharing the limelight with other people who are more knowledgeable in certain areas than he is.  Celebrating the skill of others, Hugh gives them the credit (and air-time) that they deserve.  

Mr F-W also has developed the Landshare idea, which matches people who have spare land with gardeners who need gardens.   This concept is central to Hugh, because community seems to play a central part in his philosophy.  Bringing people together, through food, is at the heart of what he does. 

Three cheers for Hugh!