Forage & Cook
Are you looking to reconnect with nature having spent too much time inside? Are you having a rethink about your impact on the natural world? Do you want to try to source food from somewhere other than your local supermarket? Are you just a food-lover who wants to try new and unique flavours?
If you answered “yes” to any of the above, then you should join us this forage and cook event, to find out what delicious wild food grows in typical UK countryside and learn how to forage for yourself!
On this course, you’ll be encouraged to get as involved as possible. You will identify, pick and taste a range of wild species found while foraging. Then, create a big feast to celebrate your hard work at the end of the day!
The focus will be the 4 ‘F’s of Foraging: Fungi, Fruit, Flowers and Foliage. If the weather and season permits, there will be an array of each of these elements.
Who is this session for?
- Considerations must be taken for those with mobility issues – please get in touch to discuss.
- Children are welcome but it is recommended that any child attending is over 12 years old. For each individual child attending, they must be accompanied by one paying adult.
- No previous foraging experience is required for this event.
- You will be asked for any dietary requirements when completing your booking. Please note that cooking sessions my not be suitable for vegans and coeliacs unless you inform the team ahead of the event of these dietary requirements.
What to expect
2 hours will be spent finding, identifying and gathering ingredients. This will then be followed by 1 hour of cooking, preparing and eating the harvest! Expect a focus on 5-10 specific ingredients, which will then be incorporated into 1 or 2 simple dishes, designed at showcasing each respective ingredient effectively. There will also be a wild tipple (soft alternative also available) served to the group and perhaps some ‘table toppers’ that your tutor will have made in advance to enhance the meal, such as a wild kimchi, a foraged ketchup or homemade seasoning.
- Short introduction regarding the safety and format of the day
- Discussions covering foraging tips, safety, ethics, etiquette, sustainability and the law
- Circular walking route taking in different growing environments around the site. Expect a route of around 3-4km predominantly on footpaths
- A closer look at edible wild species and any poisonous lookalikes by a professional forager
- A chance to slow the pace of modern life down, meet new people and immerse yourself in a soul-nourishing activity, reconnecting with nature and discovering new flavours
- Small tasters of wild food, drinks and other preserves – this includes freshly-picked items straight from the wild
- After the event, you will be sent a follow-up email containing a list of everything found on the day. This is for reference to help people do further research in their own time
Each course is run in an informal fashion, where attendee questions and contributions are more than welcome.
What to bring
Compulsory items:
- Walking boots or similar
- Weather-appropriate clothes, including a waterproof coat and extra layers (there is a lot more standing still than a normal walk in the countryside, so it always gets colder than you think!)
- Hand sanitizer
- Bottle of water
- Suncream and/or insect repellent (advisory, depending on the season)
- Warm hat or sun hat (advisory, depending on the season) and gloves if preferred
- Proof of ticket purchase – electronic is perfect, so save your printer paper!
Optional items that may enhance your day:
- A ‘sit mat’ or equivalent
- A notebook and pencil
- Foraging basket
- A snack to keep you going. A big breakfast beforehand is also recommended!
