Seasonal offerings include educational wild food and herbalism classes, plant and mushroom interpretive walks, multi-course wild food dining experiences and destination foraging adventures. Homeschool and private programs available by request. See below for currently scheduled events. Currently offering PRIVATE CLASSES & WILD FOOD TASTINGS with small groups no more than 5. Contact me directly at jess@jstarwood.com
June 2021
Puget Sound Mycological Society Virtual Lecture “Mushroom Wanderland “
June 8, 2021 • Virtual • 7:30pm PST
Mushroom Wanderland: Capturing the Magic of Fungi Through the Lens
We will explore the alluring world of fungi as seen through the creative lens, no matter what type of camera you have. Forager, author and photographer Jess Starwood will share tips and tricks to capture their ephemeral beauty, just in time for the mushrooms of summer. We’ll even talk a little bit about photographing and styling with mushrooms on the plate once we get them into the kitchen. Find out more & attend live.
GATHER: Food, Medicine + Dye
June 19-20, 2021 • Trout Lake, Washington
Join foragers Julie Beeler, Lorelle Sherman and Jess Starwood for an unforgettable weekend in the woods where you will learn plant and mushroom identification, fabric dyeing with foraged plants, and a locally sourced six-course gourmet wild food dinner in celebration of the summer solstice. Located in Trout Lake, Washington at the base of Mt. Adams, the area is rich with edible and medicinal plants and fungi that will be collected and used throughout the weekend. SOLD OUT
August 2021
Arizona Mushroom Society Virtual Lecture “Mushroom Wanderland“
August 13, 2021 • Virtual
Mushroom Wanderland: Capturing the Magic of Fungi Through the Lens
We will explore the alluring world of fungi as seen through the creative lens, no matter what type of camera you have. Forager, author and photographer Jess Starwood will share tips and tricks to capture their ephemeral beauty, just in time for the mushrooms of late summer. We’ll even talk a little bit about photographing and styling with mushrooms on the plate once we get them into the kitchen.
Book Release: Mushroom Wanderland: A Forager’s Guide to Finding, Identifying & Using over 25 Wild Fungi
August 17, 2021
Official release of Mushroom Wanderland, available from the publisher or any major bookseller. Interested in carrying my book in your store? Contact me or Countryman Press for details.
Join me in Telluride, Colorado during the Telluride Mushroom Festival to celebrate the release of my first book Mushroom Wanderland: A Forager’s Guide to Finding, Identifying & Using over 25 Wild Fungi. I will be offering copies for sale as well as signing books. Details on time and location coming soon.
September 2021
The Wild Path: Herbal Medicine
Semi-Virtual 3 Month Immersive Program
Virtual & In-Person in the Los Angeles/Ventura County area
September 1-December 4, 2021
Virtual class held Wednesday evenings with field trips and in person workshops on Saturdays once a month.
Early Registration Now Open: thewildpath.org
September 12, 2021
The Art of Wild Food:
Food Photography & Plating Workshop with Foraged Fare
Thousand Oaks, CA
10am-5pm
Demystify the art of contemporary food photography using seasonal wild foods in this full day workshop. Bring your own camera (DSLR, point-and-shoot, or smartphone) and learn how to use natural and artificial light to achieve different effects and moods. We will also learn color and design theory in relation to composing a dish and capturing it in a photo. Class size is extremely limited to ensure hands-on instruction, one-on-one instructor feedback and guidance.
September 18, 2021
Healing with Native Plants:
Workshop & Wild Food Lunch
Walnut Creek, CA
10am – 4pm
Hands-on healing native plant workshop with Dr. James Adams and Enrique Villasenor with a wild food lunch provided by Jess Starwood.
Details and registration
October 2021
October 9-10, 2021
Desert WILD! Foraging Adventure in the Sonoran Desert
Explore the edible and medicinal abundance of the Sonoran Desert after the late summer monsoon season. We’ll hike through the forests of saguaros, gather wild foods and learn how to properly process them. Returning to camp, we’ll collectively cook a foraged dinner over the campfire. Rest under the rural desert moon-less sky for stargazing and sit around the campfire to share stories. Bring an instrument if you play one! The following day we’ll share some more wild-inspired meals and learn about desert medicines to craft our own healing remedies to take back home.
November 2021
November 5-12th, 2021
Baja Botanical: 7 Day Adventure in Baja California Sur, Mexico
Join herbalist, forager and chef Jess Starwood along with botanist and herbalist Dennis Sharmahd on a seven day adventure to southern Baja California Sur, Mexico, to explore wild foods and herbal medicines this unique yet diverse region offers.
Private Events
If you are interested in a private class, workshop, interpretive plant walk or hike, wild food and drink tasting or private dinner, please contact me directly for details.
I am also currently considering event collaborations and teaching opportunities for 2022.
