Mastering Mushrooms

A hands-on in-person cooking class culminating in a dinner served with wine and beer. This class is limited to 14 students. Review our registration and cancellation policies here.

Mushrooms: enigmatic darlings of the culinary world. For some, they’re a source of endless fascination—their earthy aroma, their velvet textures, their whispers of umami perfection. For others? They’re an unwelcome guest at the table, a culinary dealbreaker best left unearthed. Marie once stood firmly in the latter camp. Hard to fathom, given her current devotion to these fungal marvels.

Her early encounters with mushrooms were, shall we say, less than inspiring. Picture gummy, canned white buttons entombed in casseroles and raw, insipid criminis stranded on forlorn salad bars. It was enough to make anyone turn up their nose. But life has a way of offering second chances, and through globe-trotting adventures and culinary experimentation, Marie discovered the transformative magic of mushrooms. Now, she’s on a mission to lead you through their captivating world.

In this class, Marie will unveil the secrets to coaxing mushrooms into their full, savory glory. From unlocking their umami depths to achieving textures that will make your taste buds sing, you’ll learn how to elevate these humble fungi into the stars of your table. Together, we’ll banish mediocrity from the mushroom repertoire and perhaps, just perhaps, convert even the staunchest skeptics. The adventure awaits.

MENU

Umami Faux Beef Broth with Heirloom Beans

Savory Mixed Mushroom Miso Toasts

Crispy Shiitake Bacon with a Seasonal Salad

Warm Farro, Maitake & Fresh Herb Salad with Chili Yogurt Sauce

Sweet & Savory Mushroom & Cheese Shortbread

This menu contains the following common allergens: Soy, Dairy, Wheat. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions that concern your ability to cook along, please e-mail info@18reasons.org before purchasing a ticket.

Let’s Cook Together! 

Marie Brennan is a vegetable enthusiast, keen fermenter and an avid traveler. Her explorations are fueled by the desire to find her next pantry staple and learn yet another way to use onions. Her culinary focus is vegetarian, Californian cuisine that is imbued with global flavors. Her classes are known for their healthyish and punchy flavors as well as her non-dogmatic and enthusiastic approach to food. 

Marie graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Dietetics and in 2014 moved to the Bay Area to attend culinary arts school. She stayed for the produce and the sunshine. Marie lives in Berkeley California and works as an educator, consultant, private chef and recipe developer. You can learn more about Marie at www.hedonistinmoderation.com

_{Photo credit: Marie Brennan}