Staff welcome the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

Celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall welcomed The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall to River Cottage’s headquarters near Axminster.

Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla Parker Bowles joined the River Cottage founder for a tour of Park Farm today (Tuesday), which is a working organic smallholding and also the base for all River Cottage courses and events.

Hugh said: “I have long admired, and been grateful for, The Prince’s tireless support for sustainable agriculture and artisan food producers, and it was an absolute honour to welcome Their Royal Highnesses to our busy HQ,

“I was very proud to be able to show off our amazing operation and our brilliantly talented team. River Cottage is unique – there’s nowhere else in the country offering such a range of teaching in the area of local, seasonal cookery and ethical food production – and it’s wonderful for that to be recognised.”

The royal couple were also given the opportunity to meet with staff and members of the River Cottage team and see first-hand the workings of the operation.

While touring the River Cottage HQ, The Prince and The Duchess heard about the recently established Chefs’ School, and met Sam Lomas, winner of the Rising Star young chef award in 2013, as well as runner-up Freyja Davis.

They also got to chat with John Wright, River Cottage’s resident foraging expert and leader of the popular Edible Seashore and Mushroom Foraging courses.

The visit launched the second day of royal engagements in the South West.