About Fabulous Fungi: Mushroom Foraging, Cultivation and Cuisine

Make magic with mushrooms at this immersive indoor/outdoor workshop and culinary class!

At this fascinating workshop, you’ll walk Powisset’s woodlands and meadows, guided by Powisset’s mycologist, Amanda, who will provide tips for locating and identifying fungi. Amanda will discuss the role of fungi in the ecosystem, how sustenance foraging can be utilized to diversify our diets and combat food insecurity, as well as the future possibilities of mushrooms as medicine, cosmetics and a valuable source of protein in our growing and changing world. There will be a focus on safety while foraging, how to avoid poisonous look-alikes and take a deep dive into a handful of common edible and medicinal fungi found in Massachusetts. Participants will learn about the beauty and mystery of the fungal kingdom, proper foraging etiquette and how to preserve and make the most of a successful harvest.

The second portion of this workshop will be a log inoculation class, where each participant will create their own Shiitake log to take home and grow. Working as a team, we will drill holes in each log, fill them with Shiitake mycelium, and seal the holes with wax to prepare them for their colonization period. Instructional materials will be provided for continuing the growing process and will cover the next steps to ensure a successful harvest at home.

These logs take between 6-9 months to fully incubate and will produce mushrooms for up to 5 years with proper care. Logs inoculated during class will be ready to fruit in the spring season.

In the third segment of the workshop, Chef Thi will join you in the Powisset Kitchen to create an unforgettable mushroom culinary experience. On the menu: Exotic Mushroom Pate with Farm Herbs followed by Exotic Mushroom Risotto with Herbs and Parmesan.

This is a very special opportunity to explore, discover, cultivate, and taste the wonders of wild mushrooms.

Our mushroom programs are led by knowledgeable guides and focus on the ecology of mushrooms and their vital role in the ecosystem. Please note, we will forage mushrooms for educational purposes only and not for consuming. Join us as we discover the wonders of mushrooms and their natural habitats.

Included in this class:

• Cooking demonstration and hands-on learning experience.
• Instruction from an experienced, top-notch instructor.
• Recipes to take home.
• At the end of each class, the opportunity to enjoy the food you created.

If you would like to bring an adult beverage to class, please feel free.

Pre-registration is required. Registration closes 24 hours prior to class. Minimum of 6 people required for class to take place. Please Note: Powisset is NOT a nut-free or gluten-free kitchen.

Questions? Want to become a Trustees member and enjoy free and/or discounted programs? Contact powissetfarm@thetrustees.org 

Cancellation Policy:  In the event The Trustees cancels a program due to severe weather, low enrollment, or other circumstances, we will notify registrants by email and issue a full refund or transfer to another scheduled program within two weeks of the cancellation. To cancel a reservation, please contact Powisset Farm 7 days prior to the start of the program to receive a full refund. Refunds and transfers will not be granted for cancellations placed fewer than 7 days before the start of the program.

*Food availability and prices have necessitated minor increases in the cost of cooking classes effective January 1, 2023

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