Yesterday, nearly fifty Foodies100 bloggers descended upon River Cottage HQ on the Dorset/Devon borders for a wonderful VIP experience.

The glorious sun was shining as the day began with a tractor ride to the farm. There was bread making, butter making, food photography tips from Lucy- Capture by Lucy, a walk around the gardens, learning about the farm, and all in the beautiful setting of the Devon countryside.

We were all thoroughly spoiled by the River Cottage team, starting with a light breakfast of pastries and omelette, tea, coffee and fresh juices.

Foraging of blackberries for herby blackberry and apple soda bread preceded the butter making under the direction of River Cottage’s group head chef, Gill Mellor.

Lucy had some amazing tips for maximising the impact of food photography and pointing out some rookie mistakes and things to avoid. There was another hands on session using the glorious produce and surroundings as props.

Every inch of River Cottage is utilised to grow fruit, vegetables and herbs, and grazing for cattle. Plus there are happy pigs (that love a good back scratch and have really curly tails) and the most chilled out chickens. Will Livingstone, the head gardener and Jim Budden, assistant gardener enthusiastically showed us around, sharing pest tips and snippets of the fragrant plants and herbs to try.

Imagine the excitement of a bunch of food bloggers eating lunch at the River Cottage…the air was electric. A delicious two course lunch of beef ragu stuffed ravioli on a bed of vegetables, and sticky corn on the cob, followed by fennel meringue, coffee ice cream with salted caramel, honey roast damsons and oat crumble. There was lots of chat with fellow bloggers, taking photos, and sharing tips. That’s the great thing about events such as these, everyone is so willing to share their knowledge but there was a special vibe here, probably because River Cottage has such a happy feel to it.

Chocolate truffles, and more tea and coffee, lots of hugs (after all some people had travelled the length and breadth of the country by plane, train and automobile to get there), and a bumpy tractor ride meant that sadly the day was over.

Thank you so much to the River Cottage team for their hospitality and for making the day so special, you made a lot of food bloggers very happy.

If you went to Blog Camp River Cottage yesterday we would love you to link up your posts so we can read them.

Add the posts to the linky below.