Classes and Events
Morel Season Has Arrived.
For a few fleeting weeks in late spring, forests within our 90-mile radius produce one of the most celebrated wild mushrooms in the culinary world. Timing is everything. Location shifts based on conditions.
Our April and May experiences are intentionally small, premium gatherings designed for those who want more than a walk in the woods.These are guided mushroom hunts paired with education, food, and community.
What This Experience Includes
All spring forays follow our immersive culinary format:
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Guided morel hunt in active habitat
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In-depth education (identification, habitat, ethics, safety)
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In-the-field and group mushroom sessions
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Lunch with mushroom pizza featuring seasonal finds
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Small group size for quality and access
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Variable 90-mile radius location for optimal conditions
Sign up now for our 2026 Morel Forays before they fill!
Early Season Morel Foray and LunchSat, May 02To be determined- Peak Morel Weekend and LunchSat, May 09To be determined
- Late-Season-Big Foot Weekend Morel Foray with and LunchSat, May 16To be determined
Golden Chanterelle WeekendSat, Jul 18Location is TBD
Summer Wild Mushroom ForaySat, Aug 01Location is TBD
Lobster Mushroom WeekendSat, Aug 15Location is TBD
SHROOMAPALOOZAFri, Sep 18Scenic View Campground
Early Spring Morel Foray
Last Week of April Only | 1- 2 Dates Maximum
These early forays are highly weather-dependent and released when conditions align. Small groups. Premium positioning. Maximum intimacy and learning in the field.
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Guided hunt
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Field-based education
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In-the-field mushroom pizza lunch with seasonal finds
The Forest Doesn’t Wait. Morel season lasts weeks - not months. April and May dates are intentionally limited and structured for quality. If you want to experience wild mushrooms at their peak, now is the time.
Morel Foray + Lunch Series
Through the 3rd Week of May Only | 3–4 Dates Total
May is the strongest and most reliable morel window of the year. These events remain one of our most anticipated and highest-demand experiences. Each date is structured as a fully immersive culinary field gatherinG
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Guided hunt
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Field-based education
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In-the-field mushroom pizza lunch with seasonal finds
If demand supports it, we may add additional small-group dates.
However, we stop entirely after the third week of May.
Ready to Forage Like a Pro?
Join the most experienced wild mushroom educator in the Midwest—Mike Kempenich, aka The Gentleman Forager—for hands-on classes that make the woods feel like home.
With over 40 years of hands-on experience, Mike has taught thousands of people how to safely identify and enjoy wild mushrooms. He’s led classes at the University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin, and founded Gentleman Forager—Minnesota’s leading wild food and fungal education company. Mike also launched Forest to Fork, the country’s first wild food grocer, complete with a 20-foot-tall glass mushroom growing chamber that customers could see up close.
One of the state’s first commercial mushroom cultivators and a longtime supplier to top chefs, Mike has also appeared in dozens of television, radio, and print features focused on wild food, foraging, and fungi. As a fully licensed and insured educator, Mike brings a level of professionalism and accountability that’s rare in the world of foraging instruction—giving students the confidence to explore and learn in a safe, supportive environment.
