SA Mushroom Farm Tour & Long Lunch

We were lucky enough to be invited to the SA Mushrooms Long Lunch & Farm Tour a few weeks ago. Now, when I received this invitation I was SO excited. But then I realised, I honestly had no idea how mushrooms were grown and started wondering how I have gone my entire life not knowing this. I was even more excited to delve deeper into learning about mushrooms and was just so excited.

SA Mushrooms has been around since 1998, and they are a family owned and operated business, and has grown to become the largest privately owned mushroom farm in South Australia!

Upon arrival we were greeted by the absolutely wonderful Jessica who invited us there and planned the whole day. The set-up was gorgeous, plating and design – I knew we were really in for a treat. We were served delicious BBQ Mushrooms on Ciabatta bread and I wanted to just keep eating these but I knew it was going to be a long day and needed to calm my farm. Accompanying the delicious food we had pairings from Virgara Wines and it was a perfect match.

After our first little teaser of what was to come for lunch, we were taken on a tour of the farm, and FINALLY I would get to see how Mushrooms were grown! Walking through the climate-controlled facility and into their individual rooms, It was truly amazing to see how many mushrooms are being grown in these rooms. Each mushroom is handpicked by their staff, and did you know – mushrooms grow 1mm per hour?! It’s insane, and amazing.

We even had a chance to pick our own mushroom right off and eat is fresh – this is something that if you ever get a chance to do, you should! Fresh handpicked mushrooms are almost buttery in flavour and just so perfect.

Once the tour was over we were seated on the absolutely beautifully designed table and entrée came out. Mushroom Antipasti paired with a delicious sparkling white. This Antipasti was packed with everything you’d want, delicious bitey cheese, cold meats, breads, and obviously – several different types of prepared mushrooms! There was an amazing mushroom tapenade which I couldn’t stop eating but once again, I knew we were going to be in for a big day of eating and I needed to relax.

The pasta dish, a Mushroom, Spinach & Ricotta Torolo with roasted tomato, pinenuts and herbs. Yet ANOTHER fantastic dish. This one was paired with a Chardonnay. Onto the mains, and at this point I can promise you I am already full, but if you’ve ever read any of my blog posts you know that I have a serious eating problem and I don’t stop eating when I’m full.

Main course consisted of BBQ Quail with peppers, Italian Road Lamb with olives, garlic mushrooms and peas, with delicious side dish of BBQ Broccolini, baked potato and reggiano parmigiana mushrooms. All of these dishes were seriously incredible, I know I’ve already said that about everything so far but the flavours coming out of these dishes blew my mind.

Then of course, I am already too full – here comes the delicious dessert. A Fig Crostata, with double whipped cream and homemade biscotti. Like I said, I was full but I polished off that Fig Crostata and probably my legs weight in Biscotti.

Another huge plus from this lunch was being able to see the different ways that I could cook mushrooms. I love mushrooms but hardly cook with them, for some reason the only mushroom recipe I know is risotto..

Easily one of the best events I have been to, and I am so grateful to Jessica, the Femia family and the amazing Chef Judy & her team for an amazing day with seriously to-die-for food.

Make sure, when you are looking to cook with Mushrooms you support and buy from this amazing SA business. Their products show how much love and care go into them and it is well worth supporting them!