What People Are Saying

“Thanks for a wonderful day. I’d been looking into foraging for a while, and had tried a few things, but the variety of wild foods you were able to show us in such a small area, and the  wonderful meal we cooked together using what we found really opened my eyes to much greater possibilities. My children tried the risotto we made and pronounced it delicious and amazing. I’ll be looking for those recipes on the Eat Weeds site and reproducing them for my family!” – Diana Davies

“I found it totally absorbing and very informative. I learnt a lot about edible plants, seeds etc. and also to have the confidence to experiment. It was definitely the best ‘course’ I’ve done in a long time.” – Alison Kerruish

“Thanks very much for the walk and all the invaluable information! I haven’t stopped talking to friends and family about it. I especially liked the way you combined knowledge about the plants within a historical context. My prior knowledege was practically non existant, but your enthusiasm has inspired me to start ‘grazing’ and learn more! Can’t wait to try a nettle infusion.” – Chris Cooper

“Just a quickie to say how much I enjoyed the wild food walk this morning. The two hours just flew by listening to all the fascinating things you were telling us about the many plants you were identifying.” – Penny Downing

“I just wanted to say thanks, the foraging course was excellent and really good fun. I have managed to identify edible food on my travels and its been most satisfying. I will most definitely be coming back on the next course.” – Neeta Patel

“The walk was highly informative, good fun and to be recommended to anyone who wants to take up eating wild plants or wants to become more aware of their place in nature. A good starting point with a teacher whose infectious technique will have you picking and eating all kinds as you go round. Even in The Byes in Sidmouth there are plants which can polish you off quicker than you can say ‘Water Hemlock Dropwort’. So pay attention and try only that which you’re told by Robin is ok to eat.” – Tim Knight

“It was a very enjoyable couple of hours. I really liked the “gourmet forager” approach; lots of tasty items to add to the plate, some of them very different and unusual, others similar or reminiscent of more familiar foods. After this morning, I’m now confident of several plants, and hope to start from there and build up little-by-little. I’m definitely a fan now of nettles, and will be gathering and using plenty in the coming months, can tell my wild garlic from my three-cornered leek, and will be chomping my way through a few Monterey Pines (and various pine nuts) and Pennyworts.” – Brent Nelson

“Wild foods pointed out and carefully described by Robin, combined with histories or anecdotes lend more than charm to a day in the countryside. Confidence increases as he takes one through a meadow bursting with hitherto undiscovered treasures. The meal which sometimes follows (if one gets lucky) is prepared from the bounty collected and prepared by all—a feast of fresh and vibrant salads, hearty soups, pickles and more. The next day I continued to feel satiated—and not just on the food. I felt a new burst of energy, such as I have never had with frozen foods or supermarket veg. Find out for yourself.” – A. R. Korula, PhD

“Thank you for the fascinating, if wet walk yesterday.” – Linda Murphy

“We all much enjoyed yesterday’s walk & have spent lots of time talking about it, telling other people & trying to remember & identify plants we saw.” – Mary O’Hara

“It was a great morning. It gave me a new impetus and confidence to forage more, to go beyond the ID-ing. Some of the plants I was pretty sure about but that re-inforcement of knowledge made me realise I’m on the right track but still have a lot to learn.” – Richard Knott

“We both really enjoyed you sharing the the knowledge you have obviously spent a lot of time working on, we enjoyed the whole experience and since we met you we have been looking at the plants we see lying around as more of a meal than we did before.” – Matthew Lowry

“I thought today was just brilliant. Since childhood I’ve had a deep, private, personal awareness of wild plants. Out of doors, I’ve always nibbled garlic mustard and alexanders, salad burnet and wood sorrel, and harvested samphire and ramsons to cook, but this was a revelation. Never thought of eating ivy-leaved toadflax or stitchwort. And we touched on interesting environmental, philosophical and spiritual issues.” – Frances Brown

“I was amazed at how much could be foraged in such a short length of lane. The other thing that surprised me was that I had pre-judged most small plants to taste ‘grassy – no flavour’ and this was definitely not the case. Your information of how to prepare/use/cook plants was really helpful. All in all an inspiring couple of hours.” – Nicki Woodgate

“Really enjoyed the walk! Mum said that she enjoyed it so much that it was the best day out that she’s had in ages! It was set at an enjoyable pace and very informative. It was amazing to see plants in a truely differently light. I have always had an interest in plants and wildlife, but I didn’t realise just how many of them were edible and useful to us. My husband and I go on many walks with the children, but now I will be able to see it as a ‘shopping trip’ too! I will definitely be foraging in the future and hopefully for years to come. I love to cook and I love to experiment, salads being one of my favourite and I grow alot of my own ingredients. So I was delighted to discover loads of new leaves that I can add just by taking a quick walk… fab!” – Rebbeca Marcil

“We both really enjoyed the walk, thank you very much! I found it really interesting learning about and identifying the different plants and would love to learn more! I really like the idea of foraging, and eating wild, seasonal food. We would both like to come on another walk soon, and will follow the website and newsletter.” – Sam Brown