FIRST dates’ Fred Sirieix and celebrity grocer Chris Bavin were spotted in several familiar locations on our TV screens this week.

The BBC's Remarkable Places to Eat aired on Tuesday evening, with an episode dedicated to finding the best dining experiences the New Forest has to offer.

Bavin showed Sirieix how the New Forest is famed for its seasonal produce, starting at The Pig in Brockenhurst where they sampled oyster mushrooms on toast and salt-baked celeriac all sourced within 25 miles of the restaurant.

Chris spent many a happy family holiday camping in the forest as a child and is a huge fan of the area and its delicious food.

With his background in fruit and veg, Chris is passionate about sourcing the freshest ingredients, he believes the food scene in the New Forest celebrates local, seasonal produce in all its glory, and he could not wait to prove to Fred that the national park is a truly unique gastronomic destination.

Next the pair headed off to the Royal Oak pub in Fritham, which bas recently been named 'Country pub of the year' in the Good Pub Guide 2021.

The foodies tucked into the locally sourced Ploughman's, showcasing New Forest Smokery and Trout Farm's amazing pate.

The owners of the Royal Oak wrote on their Facebook page: “It was an absolute pleasure to host Fred Sirieix, Chris Baven and the whole of the BBC’s Remarkable places to eat crew last Autumn.

"We are so honoured to be included in the show alongside some other fantastic local producers and restaurants. It makes all the hard work worth while with recognition like this.”

The last restaurant the pair frequented was the Elderflower in Lymington where they feasted upon a tasting menu.

The pair enjoyed local crab, red mullet lobster linguine, Hampshire venison and a mouth-watering blackberry parfait with hazelnut ice cream.

During the episode Fred and Gavin also explore a trout farm, the Pig’s kitchen garden and Lymington Quay.

Watch the episode on BBC iplayer here.