Jess Starwood

Mid-Winter Wild Flavors of Southern California

February 1st, 2026
1:00-3:30pm

Thousand Oaks, CA

This immersive class starts with an interpretive walk through the chaparral, oak woodland, and riparian landscapes of Southern California. You will be introduced to the wild edible and medicinal plants and fungi of the season and region. At the end of the walk, you will have the opportunity to taste a selection of wild foods and beverages.

Exact location provided after registration.

$65 Class size limited.
This class takes place in Southern California.

The Art & Science of Cooking with Wild Mushrooms &
A Gourmet Tasting At Folk & Forage Spring Festival

at Folk & Forage Music Festival

May 15-17, 2026
Veneta, Oregon

n this hands-on cooking demo with Jess Starwood, you’ll learn how to bring out the full depth and character of both wild and cultivated mushrooms—how to cook them properly, highlight their natural complexity, and pair them with other ingredients for balanced, satisfying dishes. Jess will also cover key points on nutrition and simple preservation techniques for keeping mushrooms at their best. The class concludes with a tasting of several gourmet preparations featuring seasonal wild mushrooms and complementary wild flavors. Jess Starwood is a wild food chef, forager, and culinary educator who specializes in bringing regional landscapes to the plate. She has foraged for Michelin-starred chefs Niki Nakayama and Aitor Zabala, and is currently consulting and sourcing ingredients for the Noma pop-up in Los Angeles. Her multi-course wild food dinners and immersive culinary events—hosted across California, Washington, Arizona, and Colorado—highlight the distinct flavors of each place and season.

This class takes place in Veneta, OR and is part of the Folk & Forage Festival.

Folk & Forage Tickets