DORSET, ENGLAND - Foodies can have a field day this fall foraging for wild edibles with English TV personality John Wright. The River Cottage star will lead guests of Summer Lodge Country House Hotel on a search for edible delights through the woodlands around the charming village of Evershot in Dorset, England.
Two outings are planned. The Hedgerow Foray, Sept. 18, will focus on wild food while the Oct. 30 event will concentrate on interesting edible mushrooms. Each expedition includes morning and afternoon sessions in search of wild delicacies with talks and tips by Wright, who has led more than 250 hedgerow, mushroom and seashore forays.
At day's end, participants will gather at the hotel to examine the collected bounty, which Wright will identify and discuss. Some items may be included in a three-course gourmet dinner that will be served later in the conservatory.
"Foraging for your food is a joyful enterprise, but it is in the nature of such things that sometimes one's prey will not co-operate. The weather may have been too dry or too cold and the fungi may be keeping their heads down. I have chosen the date(s) to give us the very best chance and I think we should do well -- my best guess is that we will find around 40 species including up to 10 edible ones," Wright said.
No experience is necessary to participate. Packages include accommodation, full breakfast, guided foraging and three-course dinner. Prices start from about $525 per night per room. For more information on Summer Lodge, see summerlodgehotel.co.uk. For more on Wright visitmushroomhunting.co.uk.
