Events
This events listing is updated through the year. For bookings or enquiries please contact Jesper.
Testimonials
“My partner Sir Cameron Mackintosh has, for many years, foraged for mushrooms in our local woods and I, for many years, have been terrified that he is going to pick something lethal! Having read about Jesper’s private foraging walks I thought it was a perfect opportunity to put my mind at rest and to learn more about wild food. I have to say that our day with Jesper was more interesting and enjoyable than we could possibly have imagined. He is extremely knowledgeable and wonderfully enthusiastic with that knowledge not only of the mushrooms we found but all sorts of other wild plants and their uses both culinary and medicinal.
At the end of the day we had a great selection of mushrooms - many more in fact than Cameron had thought edible in the past - and also examples of the deadly ones to avoid.
I couldn't recommend a day foraging with Jesper more highly.”
Michael Le Poer Trench, 2009
“4 pages wouldn’t be enough space to detail what I’ve learned from these short hours. Main thing I’m taking away is inspiring enthusiasm for something I’ve had a passion for a very long time. Jesper is a brilliantly engaging teacher – very humble & approachable with a great depth of knowledge, which is staggering – learned so much and very inspired”
Amy Downing, 2012
“I thought you would be pleased to know that myself and the children had a thoroughly enjoyable and educational time this afternoon. Your enthusiasm and knowledge about the subject really brought the afternoon alive for all of us. I do hope we will be able to join you again. Thanks so much.”
Emma Henney, 2011
“It was brilliant - good fun, good people and very interesting. It was great to have Jesper with us as he is just so knowledgeable. Noelene even used the left over bits to make a stock and then cooked a risotto with it -delicious!”
John Gillatt, 2011
“The mushroom forage was great by the way. It was well worth the money. I really felt that I got a lot from it, and Jesper was very good, very knowledgeable, put it across simply, professional but with good humor, which is just how it should be!”
Col Unsworth, 2011
”Loved the medicinal info, cooking tips and the identification and tasting of plants! Really informative, great introduction to foraging”
Zophie Begolo, 2011
“We really enjoyed this session – Jesper was incredibly friendly and informative, and his passion is really contagious – many thanks”
Christina Delgado, 2011
Sunday 3rd March 2013 12pm
Early Spring Wild Food Forage in Chorlton Ees
For this event Jesper will be leading a forage in Chorlton Ees searching for the first early edible shoots and leaves of spring, learning as we go how best to identify these delicious and nutritious foods. As part of the walk we will learn how to tap the rising sap in trees which will be at its height. Having made a collection of the best finds, we return to the start to leisurely discuss our bounty while Jesper cooks up some of his favourite wild food recipes for sampling. The walk will start at midday from the car park opposite the Bowling Green pub in Chorlton and will last approximately two and a half hours. Consider bringing snacks and a drink, suitable attire, and a collecting basket or container for your finds.
Cost £12.00 adult, £6.00 children
Bookings, which are essential, are made directly with Jesper on Tel: 07900544826 or via e-mail at info@jesperlaunder.com
Saturday 16th Mar 2013 11am-2pm
Early Spring Forage with Cracking Good Food in Fletcher Moss Park
Early spring is the season for finding tender and delicious edible plants. Woods and hedgerows come to life with patches of fresh green growth and this walk is the perfect opportunity to decipher what can and can’t be eaten, and to learn how to differentiate the toxic from the delicious. With luck, some of spring’s tastiest edible mushrooms will be on the agenda too. This walk will last up to 3 hours and will be followed by an al fresco cooking experience of our best finds.
Cost £20.00; some concessions are available
Bookings are made online via www.crackinggoodfood.org
Saturday 6th April 2013 12pm
Manchester Wild Food Walk in Chorlton Ees
By the first week of April, spring should be in full flow and the foraging should be bountiful. Edible roots, shoots, leaves and mushrooms are the order for the day. Expect to find a wide variety of really worthwhile wild foods and have the chance to enjoy sampling these throughout the walk while on the move, and at the end when we crack out the hob.
Cost £12.00 adults, £6.00 children
Bookings, which are essential, are made directly with Jesper on Tel: 07900544826 or via e-mail at info@jesperlaunder.com
Sunday 7th April 2013 12pm
Hebden Bridge Wild Food Walk
This is a great opportunity to get involved in a wild food forage in the gorgeous surrounds of Hebden Bridge. The hills and valley around Hebden are a walker’s paradise; however the walking today will be at a pretty sedate pace as we seek out young edible leaves and shoots, roots, bulbs and tubers, and maybe some wild mushrooms? The walk will last about two and a half hours and at its end we will have a chance to sample some freshly prepared delicious wild foods.
Meeting at the marina for a midday start.
Cost £10.00 adults, £5.00 children
Sunday 14th April 2013 9am-5pm
Kagyu Ling Spring Wild Food Day
This full day event is a lovely way to engage with the joys of wild food foraging at a leisurely pace, allowing for plenty of space and time to assimilate the learnings from the day. The morning starts with a sociable breakfast at Kagyu Ling after which we head to Chorlton Water Park and the Mersey banks to explore the astonishing array of seasonal edible plants to be seen. We will make a modest collection of edible plants, when found in abundance, before returning to base for a home cooked lunch. The afternoon offers a chance to re-examine our finds and enjoy the various ways in which we prepare and sample our finds.
This full day event runs from 9am-5pm. The cost of the day is £60 and includes two meals, all hand-out. Bring along a collecting basket if you wish to make your own collection of wild foods!
Bookings can be made via Jesper on 07900544826 or e-mail info@jesperlaunder.com
A deposit is required to secure places.
Friday 19th April 2013 10am-4pm
Introduction to Food Foraging and Herbal Medicine at The Wellbeing Farm nr. Blackburn
As part of this foraging experience, Jesper will then take you on a walk around the surrounding area searching for seasonal wild foods and medicinal plants. When you return, you will be greeted with refreshments and a hearty lunch and then you will spend the remainder of the day in The Wellbeing Farm cookery school learning how to use your ‘free food’ to develop meals and herbal medicines. A great introduction to the fascinating world of 'food and medicines for free’!
Bookings and additional information can be found at www.thewellbeingfarm.co.uk or by calling 01706 282251
Cost £75
Sunday 21st April 2013 12pm
Spring Wild Food Forage in Fletcher Moss Park
This seasonal food hunt explores the diverse habitats of Fletcher Moss Park seeking out some of the very best free wild foods to be found. From the delightfully sweet, onion tinged flavour of Three-Cornered Leek to the nostril-heating intensity of Large Bittercress, the walk will help to highlight why Wild Food is proving so popular amongst both those looking to re-connect with the land and with high-brow restaurant businesses. The walk will last approximately 3 hours and will be capped off with some wild food sampling. With any luck we should be able to gather some of the delicious and very aptly named St. George’s Mushrooms!
Cost £12.00 adults, £6.00 children
Bookings, which are essential, are made directly with Jesper on Tel: 07900544826 or via e-mail at info@jesperlaunder.com
Sunday 28th April 2013 11am-2pm
Spring Forage with Cracking Good Food in Chorlton Ees
Spring heralds the finest season for finding tender and delicious edible plants. Woods and hedgerows come to life with patches of fresh green growth and this walk is the perfect opportunity to decipher what can and can’t be eaten, and to learn how to differentiate the toxic from the delicious. With luck, some of spring’s tastiest edible mushrooms will be on the agenda too. This walk will last up to 3 hours and will be followed by an al fresco cooking experience of our best finds.
Cost £20; some concessions are available
Bookings are made online via www.crackinggoodfood.org
Saturday 4th May 2013
Late Spring Forage with Cracking Good Food in Chorlton Water Park
Spring is the finest season for finding tender and delicious edible plants. Woods and hedgerows come to life with patches of fresh green growth and this walk is the perfect opportunity to decipher what can and can’t be eaten, and to learn how to differentiate the toxic from the delicious. With luck, some of spring’s tastiest edible mushrooms will be on the agenda too. This walk will last up to 3 hours and will be followed by an al fresco cooking experience of our best finds.
Cost £20; some concessions are available
Bookings are made online via www.crackinggoodfood.org
Saturday 18thMay 2013 12pm
Wild Food and Herb Forage in Redisher Woods, near Ramsbottom
This walk takes us up through a small wooded valley and up to the open unfertilised meadowland and fabulous views of the tops. The route seems unspectacular initially but as the walk progresses both the landscape and the biodiversity of the plants become increasingly spectacular. This location is one of my favourite hidden gems in the surrounds of Manchester and makes for some really rewarding wild food and herbal finds.
Cost £12.00 adults, £6.00 children
Bookings, which are essential, are made directly with Jesper on Tel: 07900544826 or via e-mail at info@jesperlaunder.com
Sunday 19th May 2013
Kagyu Ling Creams & Ointments Day
This day event is a fabulous opportunity to embrace the art of foraging and creative medicine making. The day starts with breakfast in the relaxing surrounds of Kagyu Ling. This is followed by a brief classroom introduction before we head out for an extensive forage for medicinal plants, experiencing the natural abundance of Chorlton Water Park and the Mersey basin. We return in time for a leisurely lunch which is followed by an afternoon of learning the skills and techniques for making a range of lovely and practical herbal products from our finds.
This full day event runs from 9am-5pm. The cost of the day is £60 and includes two meals, all hand-outs and samples of the products made. Bring along a collecting basket if you wish to make your own collection of herbs!
Bookings can be made via Jesper on 07900544826 or e-mail info@jesperlaunder.com
A deposit is required to secure places.
Saturday 25th May 2013
Manchester Museum - Urban Naturalist - Wild Food Forage
Friendly, practical workshops run by leading naturalists. From Wild Food foraging and composting to bird song and insect identification explore biodiversity on our doorstep.
Last Saturday of every month. Further information via www.museum.manchester.ac.uk
Sunday 2nd June 2013 9.30am-4.30pm
Ness Botanic Gardens Herbal Medicine Day
This course gives insights into many herbal applications of both native and non-native species, and offering practical techniques for making the most of garden herbs. A brief classroom introduction is followed by an extensive herb identification walk, where you will collect a small sample of medicinal plants followed by lunch. The afternoon includes a further short walk followed by a session making a variety of herbal preparations in class, including tinctures, syrups and ointments. This is a popular course and spaces are limited so early booking is advised.
£45.00 per person (includes, lunch, course and admission)
Bookings are made via Ness on 0151 353 0123 (Please note: a deposit is payable in advance to secure your place)
Saturday 8th June 2013
Wild Food Day at Alston Hall
This course provides an opportunity to learn, through practical activities and underpinning theory about the fascinating world of wild food. You will spend time in the classroom learning about important wild foods and poisonous look-alikes, followed by outdoor foraging for edible leaves, shoots and spring time mushrooms. Finally we have an opportunity to cook up our finds in various ways and to sample the delights of wild food.
Cost: £47.00
Places can be booked via Alston Hall on 01772 784661 or via e-mail at alstonhall.general2@lancashire.gov.uk quoting course reference: 2CJ077SC
Note: This event and the below Medicine Making Day can be booked as a combined residential weekend course including full board. For costs contact Alston Hall
Sunday 9th June 2013
Medicine-Making day at Alston Hall
This course offers an opportunity to work with nature’s medicinal treasure chest. A brief classroom introduction is followed by an extensive herb identification walk on which we will collect a sample of medicinal herbs. The afternoon session will be spent making a variety of herbal preparations in class, including tinctures, syrups, creams and ointments.
Cost: £47.00
Places can be booked via Alston Hall on 01772 784661 or via e-mail at alstonhall.general2@lancashire.gov.uk quoting course reference: 2CJ078SC
Note: This event and the above Wild Food Day can be booked as a combined residential weekend course including full board. For costs contact Alston Hall
Saturday 15th June 2013 12pm
Herbs in Flower Walk in Alderley Edge
This walk is an opportunity to learn about the large number of our native herbs commonly found in parkland settings in terms of their historical uses, medicinal applications and culinary potential. Early June sees many of our medicinal plants in their healthiest growth as they prepare to burst into full bloom. Alderley Edge is a location rich and diverse in habitat and flora. Expect to see a startling array of medicinal plants, trees and fungi as well as soak up some beautiful landscape.
Bookings, which are essential, can be made with Jesper on 07900544826 or by e-mail at info@jesperlaunder.com
Cost £12.00 adults, £6.00 children
Sunday 23rd June 2013 11am-2pm
Elderflower Special with Cracking Good Food
This event coincides with the flowering season of our native elder and is a chance to learn about and celebrate the many food and medicinal uses of this delightful plant, as well as being aware of the many other berries and plants growing around you. After an hour or two of foraging, you’ll set up an outdoor cooking space and transform the foraged elderflowers into none other than delicious thirst quenching elderflower cordial and elderflower champagne for you to take home. Recipe sheets will be provided. It promises to be a full and fruitful forage!
Cost £20; some concessions are available
Bookings are made online via www.crackinggoodfood.org
Sat 29th June
Manchester Museum - Urban Naturalist - Wild Food Forage
Friendly, practical workshops run by leading naturalists. From Wild Food foraging and composting to bird song and insect identification explore biodiversity on our doorstep.
Last Saturday of every month. Further information via www.museum.manchester.ac.uk
Sunday 7th July 2013
Tincture Making Day at Kagyu Ling
The height of summer is the perfect time for harvesting herbs in flower, and this day event will make the most of abundance to be found. The morning starts off with a breakfast at Kagyu Ling Buddhist Centre in Chorlton, before we embark on a lengthy forage along the Mersey Banks and through Chorlton Water Park for the very finest of seasonal herbs. Learning as we go, we will harvest plants found in abundance that offer personal relevance for each of us. After returning for hearty lunch we will have a chance to recap on all the mornings finds before learning the best method of making tinctures for each of our herbs. We will all have the chance to make a tincture to take home for personal use.
(Please note: herbal tinctures contain alcohol)
This full day event runs from 9am-5pm. The cost of the day is £60 and includes two meals, all hand-outs and a personal tincture. Bring along a collecting basket if you wish to make your own collection of herbs!
Bookings can be made via Jesper on 07900544826 or e-mail info@jesperlaunder.com
A deposit is required to secure your place
Saturday 13th July 2013 12pm
Summertime Forage in Fletcher Moss Park
This forage in the depth of summer is intended to be a fun exploration of all things foragable. From edible flowers, and leaves to medicinal roots and gourmet wild mushrooms, this walk offers the chance to savour nature in all its glory and to be dazzled by the sheer variety and depth of bounty she has to offer. Learn how to prepare wild food dishes and how to make a range of simple herbal preparations.
Bookings, which are essential, can be made with Jesper on 07900544826 or by e-mail at info@jesperlaunder.com
Cost £12.00 adults, £6.00 children
Sunday 8th Sept 2013
Kagyu Ling Autumn Wild Food Day
This full day event runs from 9am-5pm. The cost of the day is £60 and includes two meals, all hand-outs and wild food sampling. Make sure to bring a basket or canvas bag along for your finds! This fun day is a celebration of seasonal wild food from berries and nuts to edible roots and of course, wild mushrooms. The day begins with breakfast at Kagyu Ling before we head out into the green spaces of Chorlton for a foraging experience to remember. Expect to find such treats as wild Horseradish, delicious aniseed-tasting Sweet Cicely Roots, Blackberries, Sloes, Rosehips, Hazelnuts, and a surprising selection of edible Mushrooms. A late lunch will be served at Kagyu Ling before we have the chance to recap on our finds, hone out identification techniques, and enjoy a cooked taste of our best finds with afternoon tea.
This full day event runs from 9am-5pm. The cost of the day is £60 and includes two meals, all hand-outs and wild food sampling. Make sure to bring a basket or canvas bag along for your finds!
Bookings can be made via Jesper on 07900544826 or e-mail info@jesperlaunder.com. A deposit is required to secure your place.
Friday 13th-Sunday 15th Sept 2013
Alston Hall Mushroom Weekend
This weekend course will inspire learners with the thrill of foraging for wild edible and medicinal mushrooms! Collecting fungi from the woods and fields of Alston Hall and the surrounding area will be followed by learning to differentiate edible from inedible or poisonous species. At the end of each day’s hunting we will have a chance to cook up our edible finds.
This residential weekend course costs £222.00 and includes full board. The course starts with a brief classroom introduction following our evening meal on the Friday.
Bookings can be made via Alston Hall on 01772 784661 or by e-mail at alstonhall.general2@lancashire.gov.uk quoting course reference: 3CJ090SC
Sunday 22nd Sept 2013 9.30am-4.30pm
Ness Gardens Edible Mushroom Hunting Day
Ness Gardens on the Wirral is renowned for its dazzling displays of horticultural plants specimens and is a truly beautiful location. However, for this event, the agenda is fungi, particularly of the edible kind. The grounds of Ness are rich with mature trees, grassland and managed floral beds – a surprisingly rich habitat for finding fungi – so expect to find a wide array of poisonous, edible, and even incredible medicinal mushrooms. Last year’s foray found in excess of thirty excellent edible species! The course will be introduced with some helpful theory and key pointers for aiding correct identification of mushrooms, before we head out for some serious foraging. There will be more of the same after lunch before we finally head back to class to assess our finds and enjoy the delights of freshly harvested wild mushrooms cooked in a variety of ways.
Cost: £45 (includes buffet lunch and all hand-outs). The event runs from 9.30am – 4.30pm
Bookings may be made via Ness on 0151 353 0123 (please note a deposit is payable in advance to secure your place)
Wednesday 25th September 2013
Forest of Dean Mushroom Foraging Experience
This event is the perfect opportunity to experience an intense day of foraging in one of the UK's richest habitats for fungi. Foraging will take place over three different locations and will fill the best part of the day. Previous year’s events have yielded over a hundred different species including a total of 38 edible varieties, many which are highly sought-after. The list included large numbers of Cep or Penny Bun, Parasol Mushrooms, Cauliflower Fungus, Beefsteak Fungus, Charcoal Burners, Blushers, Saffron Milk Caps, and many, many, more.
Please note: there are limited spaces for this event, making it an ideal learning ground for those keen to explore the fascinating world of fungi. Early booking is recommended.
Food is NOT provided so do bring plenty of food and drink with you for maintaining energy levels. Mushroom hunting can be tiring work. A (large!) basket is also to be considered essential equipment. Further details available on booking.
Cost £50 adults. Please note a deposit is required to secure your place.
Bookings may be made via info@jesperlaunder.com or 07900544826
Friday 4th October 2013
Nottingham Forest Mushroom Foraging Experience
The agenda on today’s full day forage is to explore the world of mushrooms and fungi in one of the country’s most renowned woodlands. The day will entail exploring three or more sites with a view to finding and identifying an array of edible, medicinal and poisonous species, with everyone having the chance to take home a selection of their own edible finds.
Please note: there are limited spaces for this event, making it an ideal learning ground for those keen to explore the fascinating world of fungi. Early booking is recommended.
Food is NOT provided so do bring plenty of food and drink with you for maintaining energy levels. Mushroom hunting can be tiring work. A (large!) basket is also to be considered essential equipment. Further details available on booking.
Cost £50 adults. Please note a deposit is required to secure your place.
Bookings may be made via info@jesperlaunder.com or 07900544826
Sunday 6th October 2013 12pm
Manchester Food & Drink Festival Edible Mushroom Hunt
This is a popular walk held in the open parkland of Didsbury and the Mersey Basin. Learn how to identify the good edible species and how to avoid the woodlands deadliest mushrooms! All good edible finds will be cooked up at the end for a distinct and delicious taste experience. The walk will last up to three hours. The terrain is gentle going and suitable for most ages. Meeting at the Wilmslow Road entrance to Fletcher Moss Park for a midday start.
Cost: Adults £12.00, Children £6.00
Saturday 12th October 2013 12pm
Chorlton Food & Drink Festival Edible Mushroom Hunt
Take part in a fun group foray for wild edible mushrooms through Chorlton Ees as part of the Chorlton Food & Drink Festival. We wrap the walk up with an outdoor cooking experience to sample our edible finds. Due to popular demand there are two dates for this walk. Booking is essential for this event. The walk will last up to 3 hours. The terrain is gentle going and suitable for most ages. Meeting opposite the Bowling Green Pub for midday
Cost: Adults £12.00, Children £6.00
Bookings may be made via info@jesperlaunder.com or 07900544826
Sunday 13th October 10am-1pm
Mushroom Hunting Morning at Delamere Forest near Chester
Delamere Forest is one of the most enjoyable mushroom hunting sites in the North-West for its rich variety of woodland, supporting an equally rich collection of intriguing and delectable edible mushrooms. This forage kicks off early to give us the best chance of finding specimens in prime condition, and following the hunt we should have time to swing back to the car park to sample quite how good they taste. Advanced booking is essential. Meeting outside the Linmere Visitors Centre for a 10am start.
Cost £12.00 adults, £6.00 children
Bookings may be made via info@jesperlaunder.com or 07900544826
Information For All Walks
Mushroom hunting in the rain is surprisingly fun but please do bear weather conditions in mind and bring suitable attire. The walks tend to last about three hours so it is worth bringing a snack and drink to keep fuel levels up. You may also wish to bring a camera along to record the finds of the day.
If you are interested in booking Jesper for a private walk or to give a talk please enquire here.