Spring Mushroom Foray and Wild Dinner | May 16 | Graham Steinruck and Chef Kyle Mendenhall | Ensō Farm and Forage
Spring Mushroom Foray and Wild Dinner | May 16 | Graham Steinruck and Chef Kyle Mendenhall | Ensō Farm and Forage
Ensō invites you to a full day in the field and at the table.
Begin your morning in the Colorado Rockies with Graham Steinruck - forager, chef, mycologist, and CDPHE-certified Wild Mushroom Identification Expert qualified to inspect and approve over 50 species of wild-foraged mushrooms. By mid-May the Colorado mushroom season should be gaining momentum, and what we find will depend on the precipitation and conditions leading up to the day. That uncertainty is part of what makes foraging real. Graham will teach identification, fungal ecology, and how to read the landscape with the precision of someone who has spent years doing this work in Colorado; in the field, in the kitchen, and in the lab.
That evening, gather in a private home in Boulder County for a three-course family-style dinner prepared by Chef Kyle Mendenhall. What arrives at the table will reflect what the season offers… foraged ingredients where possible, supplemented by the finest local farms and producers we trust. As in agriculture, foraging is never a guarantee. What is certain is that Chef Kyle will cook something exceptional regardless of what the forest provides.
This is a full day connecting land, learning, and table. It is also a continuation of something Ensō is building. A seasonal rhythm of experiences that gets better every year as we learn the land more deeply.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Morning foray: 8:30 AM to approximately 12:30 PM
Break: 12:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Dinner doors open: 6:00 PM
Dinner begins: 6:30 PM
Dinner concludes: approximately 8:30 PM
A note on foray locations:
Ensō selects sites based on seasonal conditions, active permits, and where the fungi are actually fruiting. Sites are generally within 60 minutes of both Boulder and Denver. We follow the signs and the seasons. That is what makes this real. Exact location and driving directions are shared with all registered participants one week before the event. The dinner takes place in a private home in Boulder County. Address shared with registered guests prior to the event.
A note on foraging: Mother Nature sets the table first. We cannot guarantee the number or variety of mushrooms we will find. This is the nature of foraging and part of what makes it worth doing. What we can guarantee is expert instruction, a meaningful morning in the field, and an outstanding dinner regardless of what the forest produces.
What is included:
Guided spring mushroom foray with Graham Steinruck
Expert instruction on identification, ecology, and wild food safety
Three-course family-style dinner with Chef Kyle Mendenhall
Seasonal and foraged ingredients sourced from the Colorado landscape, honest brokers, and trusted local farms
Beverage pairings
Small group experience across the Colorado Front Range
This ticket is for the full-day combo: foray + dinner. The foray and dinner are also available as separate tickets. Purchasing the combo is the best value and the most complete way to experience the day.
About Graham Steinruck
Graham Steinruck is a chef, forager, and mycologist focused on the identification and culinary use of wild fungi. He grew up in Colorado, hiking and exploring the Rocky Mountains, and holds certification as a Wild Mushroom Identification Expert through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) - qualified to inspect and approve over 50 species of wild-foraged mushrooms. He is the founder of Biodiversity Collective, an educational initiative connecting people to overlooked organisms through field-based experiences and collaborative research. His recipes have been featured in Wild Mushrooms by Trent and Kristen Blizzard and the Fantastic Fungi Community Cookbook by Eugenia Bone. More at biodiversitycollective.org.
About Chef Kyle Mendenhall
Kyle Mendenhall is a classically trained chef with over 20 years of experience in the Colorado culinary scene. As Chef and Partner at Arcana in Boulder, he led a team recognized by The New York Times and named among Colorado's Top 25 restaurants by 5280 magazine. His cooking is ingredient-driven, deeply seasonal, and rooted in relationships with local farmers and foragers.
Come dressed for variable spring mountain conditions. Wear long pants, sturdy footwear, and layers. Bring water, snacks, and lunch for the morning. Terrain may include uneven ground and moderate hiking.
Cancellation and Transfer Policy
We understand that plans change. Our policy is designed to be fair to you while allowing us to honor our commitments to our team, instructors, and suppliers.
- 14 or more days before the event: full refund, no questions asked.
- 7 to 13 days before the event: 50% refund, or a full credit toward any future Ensō event. Credits do not expire.
- 3 to 6 days before the event: no refund, but a full credit toward any future Ensō event. Credits do not expire.
- Less than 72 hours before the event: no refund and no credit. By this point food has been sourced, our team is prepared, and the seat cannot be filled.
- Transferability: your ticket may be transferred to another person at any time before the event at no charge. Simply email us at michael@ensofarmandforage.com with the new attendee name and contact information.
- Foray location policy: Ensō selects foray sites based on seasonal conditions, active permits, and where the fungi are fruiting. If the location does not work for you, we will welcome you at a future Ensō event at no cost, subject to availability and within 12 months of the original event date.
If Ensō cancels an event for any reason, you will receive your choice of a full refund or a full credit toward a future event.
To cancel, transfer, or inquire about a future event credit, contact michael@ensofarmandforage.com