Point Reyes Inspired
A Wild Mushroom Foray, Gourmet Dinner + Two Night Stay at Eco Refuge in Inverness for Six
- Item Number
- 111
- Sold
- 1900 USD to carenorum
- Number of Bids
- 28 - Bid History
Item Description
Come discover the wild world of mushrooms at Point Reyes this winter with this once-in-a-lifetime mushroom foray, dinner and two-night accommodation in the heart of Inverness for up to six guests donated by our friends at MycoVentures, Osteria Stellina and the Eco Refuge.
Invite up to five guests to join you for a special winter retreat (December - April) at the Eco Refuge, designed and built by renowned ecological architect and author Sim Van der Ryn. You and your guests can check in and relax for two days in this 4,000-square-foot, three-story green retreat—which includes five bedrooms and four baths, and cozy alcoves for reading. The home is a marvel itself, built with sustainability in mind and reusing natural materials when possible.
The house's ground floor comprises a yoga/exercise/massage space and a 1,000-square-foot open kitchen and den that's ideal for dinner parties, talks and special gatherings like this. The second floor is a living room/work corner, wrapped in windows with vistas of the gardens, and an additional bedroom and bath. A spiral stair in the living room concludes at the house's third floor, the master suite. Along with being wi-fi equipped, each room displays Van der Ryn's own paintings and other art collected over 40 years, including Sim's personal architecture and ecology library. The home also boasts a large outdoor terrace overlooking a pond, and the surrounding forest which provides the perfect setting for for birdwatching, reading or a quiet nap.
On one of your retreat days you will slip into the surrounding forests for a guided mushroom foray at the height of our local mushroom season with expert mycophagist David Campbell*. Mushrooms are a vitally important aspect of the diverse, natural world of Point Reyes National Seashore and are found in all types of habitats, from Bishop pine forests to Coast live oak woodlands, meadows, wetlands and more. Mushrooms are not only vital to the health of the Point Reyes ecosystem, but they also add charm and magic to the landscape. For over 40 years, David has been collecting, studying, eating, teaching and writing about wild mushrooms and this is your chance to get one-on-one instruction from an expert in the field. Your party will learn more about the fascinating world of fungi, including the basics of mushroom identification and proper collection and handling techniques.
Your afternoon foray will culminate in a sumptuous mushroom-inspired dinner specially prepared on site at the Eco Refuge's open kitchen by Christian Caiazzo, owner and executive chef of Point Reyes' Osteria Stellina. Special guests David Campbell and Sim Van der Ryn will join you for lively conversation, and for those who are interested Christian welcomes guests in the kitchen to glean first-hand the magic of the cooking process. Christian is an accomplished veteran of many high-profile eateries, including Postrio in San Francisco and Union Square Café in New York, and has been in the business for more than 20 years before opening Osteria Stellina in Point Reyes Station in 2008. A chef by training, he has worked alongside Wolfgang Puck at Postrio in San Francisco, as Chef de Cuisine at Globe in San Francisco and as Executive Chef at San Francisco's TwentyFour, a fine dining restaurant at San Francisco's PacBell Park.
Your party will enjoy Christian's skillful hand, thoughtful care and presentation that will consist of some of Marin's freshest ingredients, paired wines, and perhaps, delicious edible mushrooms found by you on the trail that day. Likely finds could include porcini, hedgehogs, chanterelles, and candy caps.
Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience with some fun guys, bid today!
Item Special Note
Funds from Dinner on the Pacific Plate Auction help fund important park preservation and environmental education projects at Point Reyes National Seashore. All donations made above fair market value will be tax-deductible.
This package includes:
( 2 ) night accommodation at the Eco Refuge in Inverness, CA based on availability for up to six guests. Reservations required, holidays excluded and donors must schedule within two weeks of auction close.
A 3-hour guided mushroom foray with renowned mycologist David Campbell around Point Reyes. Mushrooming is best in December or January and mid-week.
A gourmet mushroom inspired dinner prepared on site by chef Christian Caiazzo of Osteria Stellina for up to six guests + special guests David Campbell and Sim Van der Ryn and paired with wine.
Package expires April 30, 2016 no exceptions. Not redeemable for cash.
Learn more about the donors at:
www.pointreyesvacationrentals.com
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