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Video: Reporter Katie
Alston goes on a fungal foray

by Katie Alston

The district’s countryside is
littered with thousands of types of fungi and wild harvest
specialist Steve Kirk has been showing people how to take
advantage.

The first ever fungus foray through
Wildwood Conservation Park in Herne Common proved to be a bigger
hit than expected with more than 30 people joining in on
Sunday.

This popularity could be put down
to a number of things, from the celebrity chefs making foraging for
food cool, to those who are looking for recession-busting grocery
alternatives.

Steve (pictured right), who describes himself as a
naturalist, has spent most of his 54 years learning about the
living organisms.

Having picked his first field
mushroom at the age of seven he was hooked and for the last 20
years his interest in fungi has grown.

There is however a serious side to
foraging for your own food as Steve explained.

He said: “TV chefs have undoubtedly
made it fashionable and some of the big names involved have meant
that looking for mushrooms has really taken off.

“But it is being led from a
restaurant end of the market and it would be nicer if people just
discovered fungi for themselves. It puts a premium on wild fungi
when really they are there growing for everybody to enjoy.

“If you are contemplating eating
them you must be 100 per cent sure and always check in more than
one book. Even a slight variation can mean it isn’t suitable.



“The TV chefs make it look easy but foragers must not be influenced
by them and should always check, otherwise it could be very
dangerous.

“I would encourage people to go and
make a discovery and not to think of it as food to start with.

“They are great to add to a meal
once or twice a year but because they are seasonal the thought of
them helping to fight the credit crunch isn’t really practical.

“Enjoy looking for them and build
up your confidence.”