Chef Hubert Chanove takes you on a wild foraging trip in Haute-Savoie
From May to August, the chef at the Refuge des Gourmets in Machilly offers plant-picking outings, followed by a gourmet plant lunch. Interested? Here's what you need to know.
In Haute-Savoie, chef Hubert Chanove is relaunching his wild-gathering outings for the season, an original formula combining nature walks and gastronomy. Organized on certain Saturday mornings between May and early August, these outings are open to the public upon registration and depart from his restaurant, Le Refuge des Gourmets (2 toques), located in Machilly, close to the Voirons mountain range.
The aim is simple: to help people discover the edible wild plants that inspire his daily cooking. Along forest paths, river banks or through the clearings of the Bas-Chablais region, the chef guides participants in the discovery of a rich and often little-known flora. Species often encountered include bear's garlic, elderberry, sweet woodruff, meadowsweet and fir buds.
These botanical walks are punctuated by tastings in the field, discussions on the culinary or medicinal uses of plants, and numerous anecdotes. A concrete way to understand how nature directly influences the plates of the Refuge des Gourmets.
From harvest to plate
at the end of the walk, around midday, participants gather in the restaurant for a gourmet lunch specially designed around the plants harvested that morning. This Menu Découverte, devised by the chef, showcases the flavors picked earlier in the day in the form of fine, creative dishes rooted in the local soil.
Beyond the culinary dimension, this experience provides a better understanding of the chef's approach, whose cuisine is largely based on plants, seasonality and the immediate environment. Each participant leaves with a small souvenir herbarium, to extend the experience at home.
An outing accessible to all
This activity is designed for gourmets and nature-lovers alike, for individuals and groups. It takes place by registration only, and dates are set according to weather conditions and the flowering period.
Practical info :
- Where? Le Refuge des Gourmets, 90 Route des Framboises, 74140 Machilly
- When ? 9:00 am: coffee reception - 12:00 pm: lunch at the restaurant
- Outings scheduled on Saturday mornings between May and early August (weather permitting)
- contact@refugedesgourmets.com
- 04 50 43 53 87
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