From Michelin-worthy menus to sustainable farming and woodland walks, gourmet mushrooms are emerging from the shadows as chefs, growers and food lovers discover the remarkable world of fungi.
For centuries, mushrooms have occupied a curious place somewhere between myth and science. They appear in fairy tales and folklore, spring up overnight in mysterious rings beneath ancient trees and have inspired generations of cooks with their remarkable flavours. Today, they’re firmly in the spotlight.
Across the region, gourmet fungi are appearing on restaurant menus, in independent food shops and on the plates of adventurous home cooks. Once considered unusual, varieties including Lion’s Mane, King Oyster, Shiitake, Black Pearl Oyster and Speckled Chestnut are winning devoted fans for their flavour, versatility and sustainability.
Few people appreciate that better than Sam Brennan, head chef at The Braywood near Maidenhead. “From a chef’s point of view, mushrooms have become much more popular,” he says. “There is now such a huge variety available. We’re seeing much more interest in premium and speciality mushrooms such as girolles, ceps, maitake, Lion’s Mane, shiitake, oyster and enoki. It gives chefs so many more options when it comes to flavour, texture and presentation.”
“Ceps have a deep, nutty, almost meaty flavour, girolles offer a delicate peppery note, while oyster mushrooms have a wonderful silky texture. Some are fantastic roasted and caramelised, others work beautifully in broths and sauces, or simply grilled and served as the hero of a dish.”
As diners increasingly embrace seasonal, plant-led cooking, mushrooms have become one of the kitchen’s most exciting ingredients. “They naturally provide incredible depth of flavour and umami without the need for lots of extra ingredients,” Sam adds. “Whether they’re used as a supporting ingredient or as the main attraction, they bring something unique that very few other ingredients can match.”
That enthusiasm extends beyond restaurant kitchens. Steve Hart, founder of Oxford Mushroom Farm, grows an extraordinary range of gourmet fungi using sustainable methods to supply chefs, food lovers and home cooks. Walking through the growing rooms feels almost surreal, with snow-white Lion’s Mane hanging like waterfalls, King Oysters standing proudly beneath broad caps and glossy Black Pearl Oysters, Shiitake and Speckled Chestnut mushrooms creating a palette of colours and textures that seem more Wonderland than vegetable patch.
“People are much more adventurous now,” Steve says. “They want to know where their food comes from and they’re looking for ingredients that are local, sustainable and full of natural flavour.”
Each variety brings something different to the plate. Lion’s Mane is prized for its seafood-like texture, often compared with crab or lobster. King Oysters offer a satisfyingly meaty bite, Shiitake delivers rich umami, while Speckled Chestnuts add a gentle nuttiness that shines with little more than butter, garlic and herbs.
For Laurent Lebeau, founder of The Funghi Club in Hungerford and Marlborough, mushrooms also evoke childhood memories. “Growing up in the French Alps, mushroom picking was simply part of life,” Laurent recalls. “Families would gather mushrooms in the woods, then stop at the local pharmacy, where the pharmacist would identify them and tell you which ones were safe to eat. It was normal.”
That lifelong affection inspired the name of his restaurants, where mushrooms feature throughout the menu, including his signature mushroom soufflé dusted with fragrant cep powder and served with chive cream sauce.
Beyond the kitchen, fungi are increasingly recognised for their environmental potential. Gourmet mushrooms require relatively little land and water, flourishing on recycled hardwood sawdust and agricultural by-products that might otherwise go to waste. Steve is fascinated by the growing field of mycology, where researchers are exploring how fungi could help restore damaged soils, break down pollutants and even provide sustainable alternatives to plastics and packaging.
“The more we learn about fungi,” he says, “the more potential we discover.”
Whether you’re wandering through ancient woodland, trying Lion’s Mane for the first time or discovering the remarkable world of gourmet fungi, one thing is certain: mushrooms have stepped out of the shadows.
Find out more:
Oxford Mushroom Farm, South Hinksey, OX1 5AB, hosts an open day and mini festival, 12pm-5pm on Bank Holiday Monday, 31st August, with tours, live music, workshops and more; oxfordmushroomfarm.co.uk
The Funghi Club, Hungerford and Marlborough; thefunghiclub.com
The Magic of Mushrooms, presented by Professor Richard Fortey, is available on BBC iPlayer.
Visit britmycolsoc.org.uk for more about the fascinating world of fungi.
