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When did you last eat a weed - nettle or thistles are a good starting point - let alone turning
them into a soufle? And how about telling your friends that you've become a wild food forager,
capable of identifying and eating plants like chickweed and bulrush, and that you know all about
the skills of foraging food from the wild? If that's the sort of
thing that rings a bell with your outlook on life then Wild Food School courses
will capture your imagination... But perhaps you're looking to cut down on your supermarket bills, as some folks are doing these days, or want a new imaginative flavour-texture twist, or are just plain curious to try a cup of dandelion coffee?
Wild Food School is the only solely dedicated, round-the-clock, 12/12, operation of its sort in
the UK and is not supported by supplementary activities. There are an increasing number of foraging courses offered by those with very little
knowledge or experience. So beware. Not all foraging courses are equal - as folks who know this and the survival business acknowledge - and a little
knowledge can be a dangerous thing when it comes to wild foods.
Marcus Harrison, who runs WFS foraging and wild food courses, has had an interest in wild
foods for more than 35 years, having been brought up on a farm until his late teens and acquiring,
in the process, an absolutely instinctive feel and understanding for the English countryside
that neither college degrees nor books can substitute for. He has given talks on wild foods
at the Natural History Museum and Eden Project, for the National Trust, Slow Food movement,
Port Eliot LitFest and Arne Maynard Garden Design among others, and also works with food
professionals keen to develop creative new food concepts based around wild foods.
Marcus recently gave talks at the Natural History Museum's Nettle Weekend in May 2010 as part of their Nettle Weekend and Nature Live events.
Eating Nettles
When not teaching there's the pure research side (both historical, geographical and technical) to undertake and which provides
an immense breadth of expertise almost unavailable elsewhere, and routinely feeding
back into the courses keeping them fresh and up-to-date. Courses and briefings relating to other
corners of the world (and hemisphere) are available by prior arrangement.
Hands-on courses are based around the ancient town of Lostwithiel and provide students
with a totally immersive experience - from learning to the identify plants, to preparing
and cooking them. Each session is almost 'individual'; tailored to what is seasonally
available and to the preferences of those attending... ethnobotany, novices just starting out, survival
food enthusiasts, or those just interested in how to use wild greens and edible weeds in more
traditional food styles.
Courses include one or two 'forages' or walks in the local countryside (depending on course
length), so sturdy shoes are necessary.
Prices: Day and Introductory courses - £30-90 pp. / W/E & 2-day courses -
£150 pp
For more information, or to organise your place on one of the wild food courses,
drop an e-mail
while you're here, or telephone 01208 873788.
"Your books have been a treasured source of inspiration for me!" JS, Cambs.
"Just a short note to say thanks very much for the excellent course material for the
home study course. It really is first class and has answered all my questions regarding 'Wild Food' ". JP, Glos.
"Awesome CD! I am really impressed. I look forward to ordering the next one.". RL, Surrey.
"I already have a reasonable knowledge of plants for food and medicinal uses, but found
the recipes incredibly useful! I shall be trying some over the next few weeks." KW, Suffolk.
Make your Wild Food School visit part of a longer stay in Cornwall, Britain's most
popular holiday destination. Picturesque Lostwithiel straddles the magical River Fowey [try your hand at fishing its waters], and is a local centre for the antiques
trade. Lostwithiel is on the London to Penzance railway line (it takes 4 1/2 hours direct), and National Express coaches have
a service passing through the town. Trains run from nearby St. Austell to Edinburgh, Manchester,
Birmingham and Wales, and even Dundee. Also nearby there is the world-famous Eden Project, while Cornwall's coastlines offer lots of possibilities for exhilarating
walks and windsurfing, and there are many famous formal gardens such as nearby Lanhydrock, and the Lost Gardens
of Heligan. WFS wild food and foraging courses also make an unusual gift idea for that person who already has everything.
For bookings or more details please e-mail or call 01208 873788.
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2010 Course Schedule
NEW
FREE Eating Nettles WFS Stock Photography Library |
 Alexanders & lesser celandine soup |
 Edible weeds - natural. ingredients.. |
http://www.wildfoodschool.co.uk/index.htm
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