Description
A full day course comprising of two parts. First of all there is a mushroom hunt exploring the abundance of mid autumn mushrooms. At this time of year if the conditions are right some of the best eating mushrooms start to put in an appearance; Porcini, Chanterelle, Green Cracking Russula, Beefsteak Fungi & Chicken of the Woods - to name but a few. After the walk part two features pizza making in the woods where you'll get the chance to make your own pizza with some of the edible species found on the walk. There is also the opportunity to have a little go at fungi ID utilising the extensive Foraged library.
The location of this walk is Kidbrook Park, neighbouring the Ashdown Forest. Kidbrooke Park is a 150 acre site with ancient woodland, meadows, streams, lakes and landscaped gardens offering multiple idyllic settings to explore nature. This course will introduce you to the fundamental skills required forage for wild mushrooms safely and with ecological consideration. You will get to explore various woodland habitats at this location under the guidance of experienced forager James Grant. James will show you how to approach the subject of foraging in a safe and fun manner considering the different fungi families and their features to get you started exploring the world of mushroom hunting.
Sessions
Mushroom Hunting - The walk will last approximately 3hrs and will cover easy to identify fungi and their companions (plants & trees) that are found along the way. You will learn the different collecting techniques required for the hugely varied species types that will undoubtedly be encountered at this time of year. Any species that are in abundance will also be collected to be used for lunch.Pizza Making & Mushroom ID Basics - The walk will finish at a bushcraft style basecamp where you will spend the last two hours learning to make pizza with a 'go anywhere' Roccbox TM and have a go at identifying a specimen or two with the use of a field guide.
Skills
Fungi ID
Tree & Plant ID
Harvesting techniques
Pizza Making
These experiences are aimed at adult humans and as a result dogs are not allowed.
Prepared wild mushrooms for pizza Foraged wild mushrooms prepared for pizza in the woods
Wild mushroom pizza cooking Wild mushroom pizza in a Roccbox oven
Porcini Pizza Porcini pizza freshly cooked in the woods
Tree bark trug full of Horn of Plenty A foraged basket full of foraged Black Chanterlle mushrooms
Mycological library Fungi ID books laid out for outdoor mycology session
Tate Modern Wild Mushroom Pizza Launching the outdoor pizzeria at The Tate Modern
Tate Modern pizza toppings Pizza toppings prepared for the Tate Modern pizzeria
Hawthorn Berries Haws for Hawthorn passatta
Beefsteak fungus marinating Beefsteak fungus being marinated for pizza toppings
Outdoor pizza making Woodland wild mushroom pizza workshop
Pizza making corporate booking A work day out foraging and making pizza
Pizza making workstation Pizza making equipment ready for a workshop
Passatta with foraged herbs Passatta with Wild Marjoram
Roccbox pizza in the woods A pizza being cooked in the outdoors after mushroom foraging
Foraged pizza toppings Foraged Wood Hedgehog mushroom, prawn and wild garlic kimchi topppings
Beefsteak fungus pizza slice Brined beefsteak fungus as a vegan ham pizza topping
