Mushroom Foraging
Explore the beautiful local countryside on our Mushroom Foraging course. Learn how to safely identify mushrooms and gather them responsibly on this day course with foraging expert John Wright.
One of our signature courses and a beloved River Cottage tradition, our mushroom foraging day is legendary. Join us and take the opportunity to get closer to nature and the local environment, exploring the woodlands and fields around River Cottage during the peak autumn fungi season.
Led by our foraging expert John Wright, author of the River Cottage Mushroom Handbook, you will hunt for a wide range of mushrooms, learning how to identify and gather your crop. In John’s trusted and experienced hands, you will understand how to forage responsibly and safely, only picking what you need. On our forays we take just two baskets for the entire group – one for edible finds and the other for interesting discoveries. We never pick anything rare or the same species twice.
After a morning foray our chefs will prepare a delicious two course seasonal forager’s lunch before John hosts the afternoon masterclass. Learn more about the seasonal bounty you have picked, the rules of conservation and the harder to find exotic, lesser found species followed by a wild food cookery demo. At the end of the day you will leave with a new found skill and an eye on foraging opportunities!
Your day
10:00 - 17:00
-
Arrive at River Cottage
You will be greeted on arrival by our friendly front of house team with tea, coffee and treats fresh from the kitchen
-
A morning forage
Your forage begins in the beautiful countryside surrounding us on the Devon/Dorset border. John will teach you how to safely identify, pick and prepare different fungi. We can’t guarantee what you will find on the forage, but there will always be plenty to talk about.
-
Snack break
We’ll keep your energy levels up with tea and coffee and some delicious snacks.
-
A further forage
After your snack, there you'll continue your forage.
-
Demo session
The afternoon session will include a cookery demonstration from one of our resident chefs and a display of finds which John will discuss further.
-
Late Lunch
Food is always the focus at River Cottage, and a delicious seasonal two-course lunch will be one of the highlights of your day.
-
Departure
At the end of the day you’ll head back up the hill with your River Cottage Mushroom Handbook, full of confidence to get the most out of your field and woodland walks.
Please note: This is a guide to the activities that will make up your course at River Cottage. This is by no means set in stone and will depend on seasonal availability.
On occasion cookery schools will use equipment that includes induction hobs. It is recommended that people with pace makers should not work on these units. If you are concerned or would like to check whether or not induction hobs will be used on the course you are interested in, please call us on 01297 630302.
Interested in this event?
Click the ‘notify me’ button below to receive an email when new dates for this event are released. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Notify meFurther information...
This course is run from River Cottage HQ on the Dorset/Devon borders. Full address details of HQ will be provided once you have booked.
We are a licensed venue. We have a wide selection of the finest organic wines available to purchase.
Stay in our famous Farmhouse, click here. For other local accommodation click here.
We would advise that this course is only really suitable for 12 years of age and upwards. Under 16s must be accompanied by a paying adult. We put these guidelines in place for the safety, comfort and enjoyment of all our guests.
With many of our courses there are often treats and leftovers to take away with you. In our quest to be more sustainable we are encouraging guests to bring their own containers and bags to transport their produce home. Details of what is required for each course will be included in booking emails.
- Sustainable Restaurant Association
- Food and Travel Magazine 2017
- Great British Food Awards 2017
- Great British Food Awards 2018