Gentleman Forager

Gentleman Forager Inspiring, Educating, & Entertaining through the World of Mushrooms Call him the mushroom guy.
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Mike Kempenich AKA “The Gentleman Forager” is an exotic mushroom cultivator, forager and wild foods distributor from Minneapolis, Minnesota, sometimes described as a leader in the locavore movement. He's spent several years introducing new audiences to his work through classes at the University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin, television and radio shows, and print media. Dedicated to shar

ing his passion with others, Mike invites you to join him on his unique foraging experiences to learn more about the strange and beautiful world of mushrooms. More information about Mike and his company, Gentleman Forager, can be found on their website at www.gentlemanforager.com

06/06/2026

The "real" mushroom season is fast approaching. Come join me on a chanterelle foray in July, you can sign up on the GF website!

Chanterelle season is just around the corner! For Minnesota, it usually begins around the first or second week of July f...
06/01/2026

Chanterelle season is just around the corner! For Minnesota, it usually begins around the first or second week of July for anything big enough to harvest. Remember, mushrooms are up to 90% water, so if you are harvesting chants the size of your pinky nail, there will be little left to enjoy in the pan. Chanterelles are one of the slowest growing edibles, typically taking a full two weeks from the time you might see tiny "pins" to anything worth picking--- patience will pay off!

This photo is NOT a chanterelle. It is Omphalotus olearius, usually called a Jack-O-Lantern. They contain compounds that include a couple called illudin S and illudin M. They create cellular irritation and injury, especially in the GI tract, which then leads to nausea, vomiting, cramping, diarrhea, dehydration risk, and general weakness. Cooking them does NOT mitigate this effect. It is usually not fatal, but you may wish you were dead for a while...

Be certain you understand the difference in the two mushrooms. The age of each can also make it more difficult when they are younger specimens, with gills that are not fully formed for the JOL, which can look more like the false gills of a true chanterelle!

I'm considering holding a Summer Mushroom ID class before the season gets underway. Let me know if this interests you!

Only 10 seats remain for tomorrow night’s Truffle Tango — A Tasting Menu by The Sample Room & Gentleman Forager dinner a...
05/31/2026

Only 10 seats remain for tomorrow night’s Truffle Tango — A Tasting Menu by The Sample Room & Gentleman Forager dinner at The Sample Room.

This handsome boy is a Spinone Italiano named Signor Snuffolini, and he is personally responsible for the fresh Italian truffles making their way onto tomorrow night’s menu.

The truffles come from the Pollino Mountains of Calabria, where Signor Snuffolini puts that expert nose to work finding one of the most prized ingredients in the world.

Tomorrow night, those truffles land at the sample room for a special tasting menu built around their unmistakable aroma and flavor.

Full menu and tickets are at the link.

Monday night at The Sample Room
Only 10 seats left

Tickets here: https://resy.com/cities/minneapolis-mn/venues/the-sample-room/events/sample-room-and-gentleman-forager-truffle-tasting-menu-2026-2026-06-01?date=2026-05-31&seats=2

05/28/2026

Come say hi if you have a coveted ticket to Morel Feast at 🍄😃🤟

05/28/2026

Oysters are a delicious mushroom, the tricky part is getting to them before the fungus pleasing beetle does!

Yesterday, I spent some time with the crew at the sample room taste testing 3 of the 5 dishes for Mondays Truffle Tango ...
05/27/2026

Yesterday, I spent some time with the crew at the sample room taste testing 3 of the 5 dishes for Mondays Truffle Tango — A Tasting Menu by The Sample Room & Gentleman Forager. I thought you might like to see what a treat everyone is in for! You are looking at Scallop Crudo with frisée • preserved lemon • truffle vanilla vinaigrette, along with a Duck Confit Ravioli with gorgonzola picante • pickled cherry • marcona almonds and lastly a Black Truffle Ice Cream with roasted hazelnuts. It was a good way to spend an afternoon!!😆🤟

05/26/2026

Truffle ice cream.....one of the best ice creams I've ever had, such perfect flavors between the truffle, a scant touch of orange and the vanilla.

05/26/2026

This is the Duck dish....I could find no flaw, Chef Kevin's on fire, it is delicious!!😃🍄🤟

05/26/2026

Of course , I want to personally ensure that every dish is incredible for Mondays Truffle Tango dinner at the

Truffle Tango is coming up Monday, June 1st at the sample room.This is an extra fun one for us!Gentleman Forager has bee...
05/24/2026

Truffle Tango is coming up Monday, June 1st at the sample room.
This is an extra fun one for us!

Gentleman Forager has been working directly with Sassone Tartufi in Calabria, Italy to bring in fresh summer black truffles, and Chef Kevin Ogren is building a 5-course tasting menu around them for one night only.

The evening starts with a goat cheese and ricotta terrine with basil pesto, fresh figs, and shaved black truffles, then moves into scallop crudo with frisée, preserved lemon, and truffle vanilla vinaigrette.

From there, it gets even better: duck confit ravioli with gorgonzola picante, pickled cherry, and marcona almonds, followed by an intermezzo before the main course — Peterson’s Farm flat iron steak with potato truffle pavé, grilled ramps, au poivre sauce, and black truffle.

And yes, we’re ending with black truffle ice cream and roasted hazelnuts.

The Sample Room will be open specially for the evening, with reservation times available from late afternoon into the evening. Wine pairings will be available, and we’ll also have a Gentleman Forager Headwater cocktail on the menu in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions.

Fresh truffles can seem like one of those ingredients that belong only in fancy restaurants or faraway places, but that’s not really how we see it. They’re earthy, aromatic, a little mysterious, and just plain fun to experience when they’re handled well.

That’s the whole idea behind this dinner.

Truffles for thee… your turn to get fancy.

Reservations are through The Sample Room / Resy:
https://resy.com/cities/minneapolis-mn/venues/the-sample-room/events/sample-room-and-gentleman-forager-truffle-tasting-menu-2026-2026-06-01?seats=1&date=2026-05-24

Monday, June 1
The Sample Room, Minneapolis
5-course truffle tasting menu
$100 per person
Optional wine pairing available

Address

Saint Paul, MN

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