Mushroom Foraging Masterclass with Alison Pouliot

Alison Pouliot is arguably one of the most knowledgeable people in Australia when it comes to wild mushrooms. Her book, Wild Mushrooming, is the go-to guide for anyone wanting to investigate how to identify, collect and eat wild mushrooms in Australia. We are humbled to host three masterclasses with Alison this year and create an experience that is a rare offering on the wild food calendar.

Alison has run workshops, and seminars in Australia and overseas, and published articles and books on the subject of fungi for over two decades, but rarely offers actual harvesting during her workshops. Lucky us!

For this masterclass, we will not only learn from Alison about the role of fungi in the landscape but also harvest, identify and take home the desirable varieties, identified and confirmed by Alison herself.

This masterclass is designed specifically for those who already have experience in harvesting edible mushrooms and are eager to expand their knowledge with one of the most respected experts in the field.

This extraordinary day is not to be missed! The event is specifically designed for individuals who already have a foundational understanding of fungi ecology and wish to delve deeper into this captivating subject. We will focus on the highly sought-after edible species that can be found in pine forests, guiding you through the fundamentals of what we are hunting for, how to differentiate between edible varieties and not-so-edible look-alikes, where to locate them, and the perfect timing to move. This immersive hunt represents not only an ecological awakening but also a cultural experience like no other. For generations, this activity has been cherished by Eastern European and Mediterranean cultures in Australia, making it a seasonal must-do, perfect for sharing stories and delicious recipes.

Join renowned forager Diego Bonetto and esteemed edible mushroom expert Alison Pouliot on an unforgettable immersive experience in the stunning surroundings of a State Forest. Your foraging guides will take you on an exciting wild food adventure through the enchanting pine forest and you will come home with a variety of mushrooms to eat. And the knowledge to go back for more.

WHEN: Tuesday 29th of April 10am-3pm

WHERE: Lithgow, NSW- The exact location will be disclosed to ticket holders a few days before the event.

Please be aware that this is a self-drive workshop and we will be driving on unsealed roads at times. The forest tracks are suitable for city cars but not ideal for low-riding sports cars.

COST: $195 per person.

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE FINALISING YOUR BOOKING.

This is an all-weather event. We will only cancel the outing in case of heavy rain or dangerously gusty winds, via email and phone call 2 days before the date, offering a place on another tour. 

Refund Policy: Due to the nature of the event, we will not issue any refunds for unused tickets sold. Please make sure you are available to attend before you finalise your booking. 

Reschedule Policy: If you need to reschedule we can offer you a Gift Voucher up to four weeks (4) before the event. This voucher can be used against any workshop of the same value, and is valid for three years. If less than four weeks’ notice is given you can pass on the ticket to someone else.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• 5 hours masterclass with DIego Bonetto and Alison Pouliot

• World-class knowledge of the fungi kingdom and edible mushrooms

• Cooking/preserving/tasting session run by Forage to Feast Australia’s Marnee Fox

• A wild mushrooms-specific recipes eBook

• Follow-up information with links and tools to continue your mushroom journey

• Too many mushrooms to carry? We can provide a box to take home your excess loot!

WHAT TO BRING:

• Suitable clothing (it gets cold in the forest)

• Sturdy hiking boots or gumboots.

• Long pants, to ward off scratches from blackberries and kisses from leeches

• Water, snacks and a packed lunch

• A knife and a basket (a wicker basket is best, you find them in Op shops)

• Your camera

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ABOUT YOUR GUIDES:

Alison is an ecologist, author, and professional environmental photographer and film maker with research interests in mycology, ecology, visual representation of environmental change, and human interactions with the natural world. She is active in Australian and international biodiversity conservation and research and her writing and images appear in both academic and popular literature. Pouliot is a sessional lecturer in Australia and internationally across a range of photographic, environmental, and ecological themes and has presented at over 800 seminars, workshops, and forays within academic, government, and nongovernment spheres. Her image archive can be found on her website.

Pouliot obtained her PhD from Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University (ANU) in 2015. Her thesis explored perceptions of fungi across hemispheres. Since then she has written three books on fungi, The Allure of Fungi, Wild Mushrooming, and, most recently, Underground Lovers: Encounters with Fungi, and has contributed chapters and images to several other publications. Two upcoming books, Funga Obscura (UNSW Press) and Mushroom Day (University of Chicago Press), will be published in 2025.

www.alisonpouliot.com

Diego has been pioneering the edible mushroom workshops in NSW, empowering people with the ancient skills of foraging for food for over 20 years. Diego is a wild edibles advocate, most famous for his offering of urban foraging workshops. Building on the knowledge acquired while growing up on a farm in Italy, Diego introduces people to the ever-present food and medicine plants that surround us. He collaborates extensively with chefs, herbalists, environmentalists, and cultural workers promoting a new understanding of what the environment has to offer.

Diego is the author of the bestselling book Eat Weeds: A Field Guide to Foraging
Check a media review of Diego's works here>

Marnee Fox is a self-confessed weed and wild food convert. After shacking up with husband and wild food master Diego, the interior stylist and ex-working chef began experimenting with foraged ingredients. ‘Forage to Feast’ was born and Marnee now offers seasonal ‘Foodies Forage’ workshops that also cover eco dinner party styling, wild food sourcing, and menu design. As her confidence and joy for gathering and using wild mushrooms grew, Marnee jumped on board the autumnal train and now runs a mushroom-focused cooking and tasting session that’s now built into Diego’s much-loved Mushroom workshops. Yuuuuuuum!

This workshop is a registered activity with the Forestry Corporation of NSW and we are in constant contact with the managers to find out roads and forest conditions, ensuring the best experience for all guests

We acknowledge the Wiradjuri people as the original custodians of the land where this workshop will take place and pay our respect to elders past, present and future.
May your wisdom thrive and guide us.