Wild food and foraging with the RSPB

The RSPB have teamed up with Sussex based foraging school, Hunter Gather Cook, for a fundraising event with a difference:

I was lucky enough to grow up in a small village in West Sussex which was surrounded by woods, fields and roaming horses.  I’d play outside with my friends all day long, experiencing wildlife first hand.  We’d make rope swings, build dens and generally create allot of extra washing for our mums.  I’d play and explore from breakfast until the call of my name across the fields would herald dinner time and I’d run home. 

Nature is one big playground when you're little.  Photo Liam Jefferies

As an adult, my love of wildlife and the natural world has only grown, you will still find me ‘playing’ outside of a weekend - swimming down the Ouse or climbing trees in the woods.   Which is why I’m so excited about putting on an event which will celebrate everything outdoors and raise money for the RSPB too.

The event, which takes place on Thursday 25 July, includes foraging for edible plants, which will be used in the evening’s campfire meal and building your own shelter to spend the night in – all under the guidance of experienced Hunter Gather Cook instructors.

The foraging school is based within a private nature reserve which is carefully managed to create a haven for a rich variety of wildlife. Hidden in the woodland is the schools’ rustic outdoor kitchen, complete with an oven made from the clay beds of the nearby stream.  The kitchen is covered by an elegant A-frame structure, crafted from birch, with pots and pans hanging from the roof struts. 

Hunter Gather Cook HQ

The event will begin with a guided walk around the reserve, led by RSPB conservation officer, Dr. Richard Black. July at the reserve boasts the chance to see the rare Silver-washed Fritillary and White Admiral butterflies flitting along the woodland edges.

Next, guests will be shown where to find the plethora of edible plants on the reserve and how to identify them. The foraging school instructors are experts in living off the land; they are also experienced chefs, who visibly relish the chance to craft sumptuous and original dishes from foraged ingredients.

Nick Weston, who established the school in 2011 said: “I opened the school to teach people about living comfortably in the great outdoors and to create great dishes using wild produce.

“I’m really pleased to be teaming up with the RSPB and helping them raise funds for their work; both our organisations encourage people to connect with nature and it will be great to work together on this.”

Get back to nature this July. RSPB images

Back at base camp the instructors will demonstrate how to build a fire using traditional techniques and cook a leg of lamb in an underground oven for the evening’s foraged feast.

As the sun goes down and the resident Nightingales begin to sing, guests can learn how to mix up the perfect wild cocktail, using foraged infusions and syrups prepared by the Hunter Gather Cook instructors.

Nightingale. RSPB images

To end the evening, guests will build a shelter and nestle down to spend the night around the crackling fire. Breakfast will be provided the following morning before home time at 10am.

Foraging is great way to get out and enjoy green spaces and can result in some very tasty dishes!  I’m really excited that the event is taking place on the private nature reserve which provides a valuable home to a variety of wildlife.

Not everyone had the chance to play and run wild in the great outdoors as a child, but it’s never too late...

There are 15 places available on the event at £80 each. Proceeds from the event will be going towards the wonderful work of the RSPB. For further details and to secure a place contact alice.jefferies@rspb.org.uk