Radio Times: Review by:; Emma Sturgess

Tramping through the fields behind empty-handed forager John Wright, Kathy Burke turns to the camera and whispers throatily, “He’s a fantasist! There’s nothing here!” But it’s not just wild food that Burke doesn’t believe in. It’s Christmas. Along with Green Wing co-stars Stephen Mangan and Mark Heap, who tower above her, Burke is at River Cottage to learn its rustic ways and create a hand-made, alternative Christmas feast in the process.

To keep his guests on the straight and narrow, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall must control booze rations and try to distract the trio with wholesome pursuits such as the milking of goats.

About this programme

It's Christmas at River Cottage and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is throwing open his doors to some celebrity friends - comedy stars Kathy Burke, Stephen Mangan and Mark Heap. Hugh takes Kathy out on a fishing trip to catch an alternative Christmas Day main course - perfect for non-meat eaters like her, or anyone fancying a change from turkey. Resident forager John Wright heads to the woods in search of wild mushrooms and oak moss for a seasonal starter, and chefs Tim Maddams and Gill Meller demonstrate how to prepare cocktails, breads and trays of vegetables.