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Back to the Wild

Wild Herb and Mushroom Foraging & Cooking Workshops

Weekend of 20th-22nd Dec 2024 at Orada

What is it about?

Get ready to embark on an unforgettable weekend retreat that will immerse you in the wonders of the natural world! This experience features an enlightening presentation on wild plants and mushrooms, covering their biology, ecology, culinary uses, and medicinal properties. Explore the forest on a guided hike to forage for these natural treasures, then dive into four hands-on cooking workshops where you'll learn various culinary techniques, including fermentation, using your foraged finds. With comfortable accommodation and delicious meals provided, plus the opportunity to take home recipes, this retreat will nourish your mind, body an soul. Ready to join us?

Wild Mushrooms
Hiking in Forest

Who can join?

This retreat is perfect for nature lovers, foodies, and cooks alike! With only 10 spots available, it promises to be an intimate and enriching experience. The sessions will be conducted bi-lingually in English and Portuguese, ensuring everyone feels welcome and engaged. Come and connect with fellow enthusiasts while deepening your knowledge and skills in a beautiful, serene setting.

What's included?

This retreat offers a comprehensive learning experience about the ecology and uses of wild plants and mushrooms. You will be guided on how to find and harvest these treasures in nature, followed by hands-on workshops where you'll learn to create a variety of plant-based recipes, including mains, soups, sides, drinks, and desserts. The workshops will emphasize different culinary techniques, with a special focus on fermentation. Additionally, you'll learn to make jarred goodies like compotes, spreads, and preserves to take home (or to offer as charming Christmas gifts!). Every recipe taught will be provided for you in a booklet, ensuring you can recreate these dishes. Set in a beautiful location surrounded by lush nature, this retreat includes comfortable accommodation and all meals, making it a complete and enriching experience.

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Seasoning Salad

When is it?

Join us the weekend before Christmas during the winter solstice, from 20-22 December 2024, for an adventure when the weather is delightfully wet and mushrooms are abundant. Starting on Friday evening and wrapping up on Sunday afternoon, this retreat promises the perfect festive escape, embracing the best of the season's offerings.

 

The schedule is as follows:

 

Friday 20th Dec

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18:00 - Arrival and settling in

19:00 - Dinner

20:00 - Introduction to wild ingredients

21:00 - Cooking workshop (1) - Preparations

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Saturday 21st Dec

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09:00 - Breakfast

10:00 - Hike and foraging trip

13:00 - Packed Lunch

15:00 - Cooking workshop (2) - Make dinner

19:00 - Dinner - Eat what you made

20:00 - Roasting homemade marshmallows & sitting around the fire

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Sunday 22nd Dec

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09:00 - Breakfast

10:00 - Cooking workshop (3) - Make lunch

13:00 - Lunch - Eat what you made

15:00 - Cooking workshop (4) - Make treats to bring home

18:00 - End of retreat

Where is it?

Nestled in the wild Costa Vicentina of Alentejo, the retreat is set in the beautiful Monte da Orada retreat center. Surrounded by lush forests and tranquil streams, Orada provides a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The comfortable rooms offer a restful sanctuary, while the on-site restaurant serves wholesome, plant-based meals crafted to delight your senses. For more details, visit orada.eu. Come experience the magic of Orada and let nature’s offerings surprise you!

Lisbon Coast
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Who is organising?

Meet Sarah Rodrigues, the driving force behind this retreat. An experienced chef with a passion for foraging wild ingredients. Her expertise spans many culinary techniques, allowing her to experiment with unique ingredients and flavour pairings. Sarah also holds a master's degree in environment and resource management, and is well-versed in sustainable foraging practices and ecology, ensuring that every aspect of this retreat is environmentally conscious. Get ready to be inspired by her knowledge, creativity, and dedication to sustainable gastronomy.

How much?

The retreat is priced at 280 euros per person, which includes:

  • 2 nights' accommodation

  • 6 nourishing meals (2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners)

  • An informative presentation

  • A guided foraging hike

  • 4 hands-on cooking workshops and all materials included

  • A booklet of recipes made during the workshops
     

​Everything you need for a comprehensive, enriching, and delightful weekend experience is covered.

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Natural Herbs

Questions?

With limited spots available, make sure to reserve your place soon! To book your spot or if you have any questions, please get in touch via email: info.backtothewild@gmail.com

 

And don’t forget to share this unique opportunity with your friends!

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