Hotels Where You Can Learn How To Forage
The DIY culinary trend is taking hotel restaurants by storm
One of the best ways to discover a new destination is through its cuisine. And while it's always nice to visit a well-known restaurant, taking a more hands-on approach can be even better. This theory—combined with travelers' growing desire for local recipes and authentic experiences—has made foraging one of the fastest-growing food trends in recent memory. At hotels around the world, culinary teams are inviting travelers to roll up their sleeves and find out where their food is coming from, straight from the source.
Asheville, North Carolina
There's a full spread of Mother Nature's bounty hidden within North Carolina's majestic mountains, and guests at The Omni Grove Park Inn know that better than most. The iconic property has partnered with No Taste Like Home to create an unforgettable foraging experience where visitors learn how to safely gather, serve and preserve wild plants, berries and mushrooms. After the day's work, your found ingredients will be transformed into a complimentary appetizer by the team at Vue 1913.
Irvington, Virginia
Travelers who can never have too many oysters will surely be intrigued by the Tides Inn and their Oyster Academy. Participants start by learning about Virginia's legendary oyster industry and then accompany a skilled waterman by boat for a harvesting excursion. Once a bushel has been foraged, a seasoned culinary team teaches the art of oyster shucking and explains how to pair them with various sauces and wines.
The Tides Inn
Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection
Los Cabos, Mexico
The team at Esperanza recently debuted Culinary at the Cove, a program where visitors can spend the day diving for chocolate clams (nicknamed Baja's "seafood candy") with a team of local fishermen. Back on the shore, Executive Chef Guillermo Gomez will demonstrate how to clean the clams and prepare the perfect beach picnic. Guests can also scour the beach in search of blue stone crabs, snails and sea urchins for a fresh batch of chilpachole (a flavorful Mexican seafood stew).
Victoria, Australia
Located just an hour south of Melbourne on the Mornington Peninsula, the Jackalope Hotel has become a cultural hotspot for Australian locals and international tourists alike. Known for its striking artwork and celebrated culinary concepts, the 45-room luxury hotel offers a collection of innovative food-themed experiences, including their signature Truffle Trinity program. Guests can join a local expert and her dog on a hunt for wild black truffles, which ends with an unforgettable fungi-focused feast and local wine pairing.
Jackalope Hotel
Isle of Skye, Scotland
At the Kinloch Lodge, a local guide takes guests on a foraging journey that demonstrates just how many edible delicacies grow beside Scotland's breathtaking backdrops. In the forest, participants can expect to unearth ingredients like wild garlic and sorrel, or collect seaweed, mussels and samphire to eat on the shore. Back at the property, bartenders whip up speciality cocktails highlighting the foraged herbs and botanicals.