Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall (born January 14, 1965) is a British celebrity chef and TV presenter, noted for his mildly eccentric antics and back-to-nature philosophy.
Hugh's mother is gardener and writer Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall. Born in London and raised in Gloucestershire, Fearnley-Whittingstall first became interested in cookery as a young child but he chose to study at St Peter's College, Oxford University, after attending Eton College, and then began his career with conservation work in Africa in preference to commencing a career as a young chef.
After the work in Africa he spent a brief period as a sous-chef at The River Café, but was made 'redundant', although Whittingstall has made references to his being fired for 'being messy' and 'lacking discipline', he regards it an event that has since helped shape his current career. a nettle-flavoured ale, with the Hall and Woodhouse brewers.