Full-day Fungi Identification Workshop

Suitable for those with both beginner or intermediate level fungi knowledge. Also includes more advanced cooking/preservation methods.

Beginning at 10 am and concluding around 4 pm (9 am - 3 pm during November), we will be foraging in different fungal habitats, for example, woodlands of various kinds as well as grassland (exact locations will depend on the quality/quantity of available fungi I spot when doing a recce the day before). Drawing on my 30-year experience of identifying and gathering fungi, the aim is to provide a general introduction to seasonally available fungi, how to harvest them sustainably and how to utilize them as food and medicine, as well as how to recognise and avoid poisonous species. I will also introduce, with hands-on examples in some cases, how to use fungi for other purposes such as painting, dyeing, ink making, paper making. You will taste a number of different mushroom products during the day, for example, canied fungi, pickled fungi, lacto-fermented fungi, liquid mushroom seasoning, mushroom cookies etc.
In terms of non-food related fungi uses, whether you have children or not, such an added exploration is a really positive way to introduce fungi to them, bypassing the mycophobic culture of fear that abides in British culture. A 'simple' wild-food-based lunch (delicious soup with homemade sourdough bread) will be provided (but feel free to bring extras of course. We will also work with some excellent fungi identification keys, as well as a range of guide books. Much of fungi identification using the naked eye rather than microscopes (that is, identification in the field metaphorically and literally) is about a balance of probabilities that point to a particular species. The keys that we will use are excellent ones that, if used, will greatly aid your ongoing confidence in the beginning to accurately and systematically correctly identify a particular fungus down to genus level whilst out on your own.

Note: November is a late-season course, at the transitional time when the bulk of autumn fungi fruiting bodies for most species are on the wane, yet it is also that exciting time when species stimulated by the colder and frostier days begin to appear.

Note: Covid 19 course adaptions. Places are limited to allow for ease of maintaining personal distance. Hand sanitizer and disposable gloves available for use when and if appropriate.

Please use the Message Mentor button to send me a message to request your gift voucher.
You will receive a beautifully designed PDF that can be personalised on request.

The lucky recipient will be able to choose from any available course in the future and use your Gift Voucher partial or fully to attend the course or workshop of their preference.

Once the Gift Voucher recipient has chosen their day, they should send me a message on Eequ and I will confirm their place by email.

I regularly provide bespoke foraging or wild lunch events for private groups. This makes for a unique and personal experience where friends or family can spend a nourishing day in nature, remembering what is wonderful about our world and each other.

These events can be customised and depending on numbers (normally 4 - 30) can be in any location in the UK.

Events are ideal for:

Birthday and celebration gatherings
Training for outdoor educators
School groups from approx age 12
Corporate team events

Each event is designed in close dialogue with you for a most memorable day.