The spellbinding Elgin Valley lies in a lush arboreal fold on the cusp of the Overberg, where verdant forests and carefully tended vineyards play tag team against the rolling hills. It’s in this epic setting that renowned mushroom forager Gary Goldman, celebrated chef Robert Knuckey, and wine guy extraordinaire Richard Rose join forces to take curious mushroom foraging adventurers on an epicurean journey to unravel the rather marvellous mysteries of our local fungi.
Highlights
- Introduction to wild mushrooms presentation
- Wild mushroom foraging excursion in an Elgin forest
- Four-course meal with wine pairing
- Wine pairing talk by Richard Rose (Elgin Vintners’ estate manager)
- Wonderful countryside setting
- A wonderful day out in the countryside on your own, with a friend, or the whole family
Duration
08h00 – 15h30 (7 hours)
Schedule
- 18 May 2019
- 19 May 2019
- 1 June 2019
- 2 June 2019
Price
R895 p.p.
R825 p.p. (early bird booking only until 25 April!!!)
To book any day for private groups (minimum 20, max 25 people) please send a request to bookings@eatsplorer.com.
Overview
This will be the fifth year running that Cape Town’s Mushroom Fundi Gary Goldman will make his way out to the gorgeous Elgin Valley to shed light on the many forms of edible fungi that can be found tucked away in the shady nooks and crannies of the forests that cling to the slopes of the picture-perfect Groenland Mountains, painting the backdrop to the Elgin Vintners estate.
First things first, you’ll sit in on a crash course of the region’s wild mushrooms and how to identify these forest treats from Gary and his team, who use a wild mushroom display and informative PowerPoint presentation to get everyone on the same page (there’s coffee, don’t worry;). Once you have Mushroom Picking 101 under your belt, it’s time to head out into the woods to put the theory to practice. Don your comfy walking shoes, grab your basket and pocket knife and join the foraging squad as they set out into forests that surround the Elgin Vintners estate to see what tender morsels Mother Nature has up her sleeve on this particular day.
Back at the estate after your foraging excursion, it’s time to sit down to a 4-course mushroom-inspired meal whipped up by chef Robert Knuckey, a celebrated culinary artist who earned his stripes at of the best restaurants and hotels in South Africa and throughout the African continent. Known for his in-depth knowledge of European and international cuisines, this passionate chef presents an extraordinary 4-course meal that draws inspiration from the delicate flavours of Elgin’s wild mushrooms, expertly paired with Elgin Vintners wines.
Just to put the cherry on top, Richard Rose, the Elgin Vintners estate manager, will give you a thorough introduction to their wines and the history of the gorgeous estate, while pouring generous amounts of the tempting vintages in question. Best of all – you’ll get to enjoy this tasty experience in the sumptuous setting of the wonderfully historic Elgin Vintners Manor House, a beautifully renovated, four-star luxury Victorian-style guesthouse set in an English garden flanked by orchards, picture-perfect vineyards and sloping pastures. Très fancy, darling.
What’s included
- Mushroom presentation & foraging excursion (including bus ride)
- Coffee and tea; four-course meal
- Beautiful countryside experience
- Wine tasting & Elgin wine presentation throughout lunch
What’s not included
- Basket & pocket-knife
- Raincoat & good walking shoes
- More wine!
Important Information
- Bring good walking shoes/boots, and a lightweight raincoat if it looks like rain. TOP TIP: Elgin lies within a catchment area, so while Cape Town may be sunny, it could be drizzling out there. Call head or check your weather app before you go.
- Bring a basket and a pen-knife
- Please let us know if you are vegetarian.
Itinerary
08h00 – Arrive on the Manor House stoep, enjoy great coffee & exceptional views of the countryside.
09h00 – Get acquainted with the region’s fungi via a PowerPoint presentation, hop on the bus and forage in a pristine Elgin forest location.
12h30 – Lunchtime! Sit down to a 4-course meal paired with Elgin Vintners wine, while Richard Rose fills you in on the farm’s intriguing history.
After Lunch – Relax in the lounge, or on the stoep and enjoy the surroundings until you are ready to go back home.
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1 comment
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