River Cottage Australia (2013 - 2016)

With Hugh back in the UK, Paul finds himself alone at River Cottage Australia – but not for long. He’s about to welcome a new best friend to the farm – Digger the border collie pup. With his new mate nipping at his heels, Paul sets about getting his winter vegetable crop fed – and that involves an organic fertiliser recipe that makes use of some of the farm’s most unwanted products. It’s Festival time in the local village of Central Tilba, and Paul’s keen to make an impression with his cooking skills. But will his home-made relish - using locally gathered produce – cut it with the locals? Further afield with the help of local hunters, Paul discovers how a notorious pest can be turned into a delicious meal - and he welcomes his first dairy cow to River Cottage. But will he ever learn how to milk it.

With his cows, chooks and veggies thriving, Paul decides it’s time to explore the nearby coastline and he discovers an abundant source of seafood delicacies. He meets a local lobster expert, and together they catch a crayfish brunch and Paul introduces him to a deliciously different way of eating them. Back on the farm, Paul’s busy building a pig pen, before taking delivery of a small herd that will hopefully one day feed him. Before that, he prepares a pork dish using one of the tastiest and most under-used parts of the animal. Then, it’s off to the local harvest festival bake-off. With the help of a country cooking champion, Paul enters his pumpkin scones into the hard-fought contest.

With a malfunctioning water tank, and no dams to rely on, Paul is suddenly faced with a farmer’s worst fear – a critical shortage of water. His cows, pigs and veges all depend on a steady supply, so Paul enlists the help of a local farmer to see if they can tap on old spring on the property. But will it be enough to save the farm? Meanwhile, as Paul settles into his new rural community, he discovers one of the joys of country life – the local food swap. Armed with seafood he’s foraged nearby, Paul scores a boxful of unusual fruits, vegetables and wild game, which he uses to create a hearty winter meal.

Paul’s dream is to one day make River Cottage Australia self-sufficient – and he’s well on the way. With his own herbs, vegetables, eggs and cream - from Bessie the cow - he whips up his first ever “all from the farm” meal. But not all is going so well. Flies are a constant issue – especially in Paul’s country kitchen. So he meets a local sustainable farmer who introduces him to an ingenious all-natural solution. Down by the coast, it’s Oyster Festival time. Paul tries his hand at the oyster shucking contest – and then creates a traditional coastal favourite - a delicious oyster pie.

River Cottage Australia land-holder Paul West is keen to restore the gully which acts as a natural watercourse on his farm – but it’s almost totally overgrown with blackberries. Paul learns he can hire a herd of hefty eaters to deal with the problem – but will they have the appetite for such a massive job? Meanwhile, Paul hatches a plan to create new life at River Cottage with the help of Ron - his brand new rooster.

The local CWA ladies have a big job for Paul – and there might be a sweet reward in return. If he can help them paint their headquarters, they’ve offered to share some of their cake–making secrets with him. How will his Hazelnut Loaf cake stand up against some of the finest in the district? Back on the farm, Paul’s been collecting old chook feathers - but what on earth for? Could there be something fishy going on? And as we head to the coast nearby, Paul learns that there’s more to seaweed than meets the eye. Not only is it good for the garden, he has an idea for a crispy new recipe.

It’s been nearly four months since Hugh returned to River Cottage in the UK to let Paul to go it alone. But now he’s back, and he’s amazed at what he finds. Where there used to be rundown enclosures and sheds, there are now homes for chickens, ducks, pigs and a dairy cow. The vegetable beds they laid out together are now a mass of leafy winter greens, and the citrus grove is thriving. They decide to harvest what they can as a starting point for a huge community cook-up they’ve got planned. But they’ll need more food to feed the hungry throng. At the beach, Paul instructs Hugh in the fine art of beach-worm catching – but will they be able to catch the bait, let alone enough fish for a feed? And as they prepare for their final feast, the pair reflect on the journey so far. The seeds of River Cottage Australia have well and truly been planted, and the future looks bright indeed.