The Truffler: Restaurant dishes at home, Action Against Hunger, Apple Day,

When the second River Cafe Cookbook was published to gushing acclaim, my colleague The Weasel sounded a note of caution. He calculated the cost of the recipe for tagliatelle with 30g of white truffle between six. At the price quoted by Carluccio's deli last week that's £12.50 a portion. But John Campbell's most extravagant suggestion for a starter beats even that, at my rough estimate of £18 a head. In Formulas for Flavour – How to cook restaurant dishes at home (£20, published by Conran Octopus), one of the chef's various ways with foie gras is a terrine to feed 10. You will need: 700g foie gras and three free-range chickens, two Savoy cabbages, four globe artichokes and some lamb jus you've made earlier, 100g trompette mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, haricot beans (previously soaked and cooked in bottled water if your tap water isn't soft enough), some grapes which you will previously have dried for at least a week, some figs ditto, Parma ham, and optionally – but why skimp at this stage? – half a teaspoon of chopped truffle for the dressing. You will also need time on your hands. Those who can't be fagged to make the terrine at home and would rather have it done for them should note that Campbell has announced that he's leaving Lords of the Manor in Upper Slaughter, Gloucestershire, for The Vineyard restaurant at Stockcross in Berkshire where he will take over as executive chef in January.

Since 1995 Action Against Hunger has been carrying out emergency medical and nutritional programmes in Afghanistan, and the charity is currently mobilising to help malnourished refugees in neighbouring countries. To donate call 0870 400 2232. Or contribute by eating out. Tomorrow, to launch Action Against Hunger Week, five restaurant critics cook for a restaurant full of chefs – and anyone else who fancies a taste of Schadenfreude – at what promises to be a splendid dinner. Taking over Circus restaurant in Soho to feed the hands they've bitten are, among others, chef-turned-writer Bill Knott, Fay Maschler, Charles Campion, editor of the Rough Guide to London Restaurants, and The Independent's Caroline Stacey (quaking in her clogs and checking her Marigolds in the likely event of being on washing-up duty). Last-minute bookings for this and details about the rest of the week from 020-7242 5665, or www.hungerweek. org. Action Against Hunger UK is a leading international organisation fighting hunger and malnutrition, and restaurants play a vital part in supporting the charity. The idea of the week is that, as we spend money on eating out at one of the many restaurants that support Action Against Hunger Week we can also help feed the hungry. But you don't have to eat out to contribute. £100 – the cost of a meal for two in many restaurants – can save 30 children with cholera by giving them intensive re-hydration.

Warming up for Apple Day on 21 October, there's an Apple Festival today and tomorrow at Brogdale Horticultural Trust near Faversham, Kent (01795 535286). Entry is free to inspect in the barns and on the trees around 500 of the 2,500 different varieties of fruit grown in the orchards. A tour of the orchards costs £3. Next weekend there's an even bigger apple jamboree, with a cider bar, cookery demonstrations, miniature railway, local crafts and produce, and an expert on hand to identify any mystery apples visitors may bring. Admission is £3 for adults, £2 for children, which includes the orchard tour.

The Henry Doubleday Research Association at Ryton Organic Gardens, near Coventry (024-7630 3517) has its Apple Day celebrations tomorrow, too. There will be 60 types of apple to take a bite out of, juices to try, varieties to buy, and apple-themed dishes in the restaurant (book on 024-7630 7142). The day's programme includes tours of the fruit-growing areas of the organic gardens.

The National Trust also has a few appley events this weekend. Attingham Park near Shrewsbury in Shropshire has events all weekend including apple-jelly making in the kitchen. Tomorrow both Killerton in Broadclyst near Exeter and Calke Abbey, Ticknall, Derbyshire have a day dedicated to the apple. Next weekend many more events take place in National Trust properties. Visit www.nationaltrust. org.uk for more details.