Royal Forester chef hunts edible Wyre Forest mini beasts

Specialising in locally grown produce and in season game, much of their menu is sourced from within the stunning Wyre Forest, but Royal Forester Chef, Mark Hammond, has been inspired to investigate an alternative to fungi foraging with the edible creepy crawly or mini-beast feast!

With the Royal Foresters receiving the AA rosette 2011/2012 Award for the fourth year running forCulinaryExcellence and continued focus on fresh locally sourced seasonal produce, he must know a thing or two about food.

Said Mark: “I’m a keen amateur forager, sourcing fungi, fruit and berries from the Wyre Forest on a regular basis and after a discussion on one of my forums in which edible species and that of the woodland ant was discussed, I then came across an ant mound on my next trip and decided to test out the theories.”

The eating of creepy crawlies and bugs has been going on for thousands of years around the world, with insects eaten as a special treat in ancient Greece and Rome, and the Bible approving of the eating of beetles, grasshoppers and locusts.

Royal Forester landlord, Sean McGahern, commented: “Mark regularly visits the forest in search of wild and localproducesuch as herbs, leaves and especially ediblemushrooms. Even wild crayfish can be found within the forest brooks. But his latest quarry has divided opinion, with those who have tried his wood ants describing them as tasting of lemon sherbet. I have tried them and they really are quite pleasant.”

Popular with locals as well as holiday makers and the business traveler, restaurant goers will have the opportunity of sampling chocolate covered woodland ants as part of the Royal Forester Game Festival from Tuesday November 1st to the 13th.

Issued: 21/10/2011