Wild food foraging with Mat Follas

We were lucky enough to be given a voucher for a wild food foraging day with Mat Follas (yes, him off Masterchef), followed by lunch and a gin tasting at his restaurant in Sherborne.

Around 15 of us met at 10am near Bridport (I’m not going to give the locations away…you’ll have to go on the course for that!) and started the day with a coffee. Mat talked us through foraging 101, particularly around safely identifying wild plants. He told us that one of these plants is edible, and the other, in this quantity, can kill you. It was quite an enlightening start to the day! What do you think - could you correctly identify the dangerous one? I got it wrong.

The morning mist lifted to reveal the most perfect day. We moved from hedgerow to beach to pasture, walking a moderate amount and driving between locations. The scenery was stunning.

It was really interesting to learn about new plants, but also what to do with some more commonly known varieties. Mat passed on some brilliant tips and shared some wonderful recipes. Who knew that bramble is the best source of natural yeast so the leaves make a great sourdough starter? Not me!

We felt the course was pitched perfectly for beginners or more seasoned foragers (like my annoying husband, the ecologist, who could identify more plants than Mat but still came away having learnt a ton).

We finished the day at Bramble Restaurant in Sherborne, where we enjoyed a three-course lunch with our new foraging pals. We also tasted Mat’s delicious Mûre Liqueurs. My favourite was the Great Taste Award-Winning Blackberry Liqueur - delightful on its own or topped up with bubbles.

All in all, an amazing way to spend the day - chatting, learning, eating and drinking in the delightful Dorset countryside and coast.