Man who built lived in a treehouse he built in the woods nominated as finalist in 'rural Oscars'

Nick, who now lives near Lewes, first hit the headlines as the survival expert in Channel 4’s Shipwrecked.

He had fulfilled a boyhood dream of living self-sufficiently in his treehouse and described the process of building and living in it day by day in his first book.

Encouraged by this success he set up his business which teaches participants basic skills like making fires, foraging, butchery, cooking, and bushcraft.

His book, Hunter Gather Cook, was published in May 2019.

Nick said: “It makes wild food accessible and takes away any sense of trepidation at making your first brew, burger or carpaccio. If you are already a 21st century hunter-gatherer, then it will help expand your culinary repertoire taking experimentation and enjoyment to the next level.”

Nick works from an HQ in the Downs near Firle.

His team has featured on Jamie Oliver’s Food Tube, Vice Munchies, Countryfile, Jamie & Jimmy’s Friday Night Feasts and at festivals across the UK and in Ireland running workshops, banquets and demos to promote wild food and fire cookery.

He also works with Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall at the River Cottage Food Fair.

The Countryside Alliance Awards celebrate British food and farming.

Lewes MP Maria Caulfield said: “They celebrate businesses that go the extra mile and are the cornerstone of our rural communities.

“Hunter Gather Cook shows that reaching the regional finals is testament to the hard work and service they provide. I will be following their progress with pride and will be championing their success.”