(Image courtesy of Locavore)
Most people know mushrooms as an ingredient on their dinner plate. But how many have met the people who grow them, learned where wild varieties hide in Central Oregon’s forests, or experienced an entire evening of cuisine inspired by fungi?
On Friday, October 30, Juniper Preserve will host a Mushroom Dinner Benefiting Locavore, an evening that takes guests beyond the dinner plate and into the fascinating world of mushrooms.
Held in the resort’s Chanterelle Ballroom from 6-9pm, the event combines a chef-curated dining experience, locally sourced ingredients, mushroom-growing and foraging education, and thoughtfully selected wine pairings.
A portion of the event proceeds and a silent auction will benefit Central Oregon Locavore’s second location, a marketplace on the west side in the Discovery West plaza.
The People Behind the Mushrooms
Throughout the evening, guests will meet local experts who understand mushrooms from two very different perspectives.
Isaac and Erin [Tierra Funga] will introduce guests to the world of culinary mushroom cultivation, explaining how mushrooms are grown and what makes them such a versatile ingredient.
Jason Rhodes [SOTSIL], a wild mushroom foraging expert, will explore the world of mushrooms growing beyond the farm, teach diners how to forage their own wild mushrooms, and demystify the hidden treasures found in the region’s natural landscape.
“Most people have no idea how much goes into cultivating the mushrooms they enjoy at dinner,” said Erin Ludden. “Once you understand where they come from, how we grow them, and what makes each variety unique, you start looking at mushrooms, and the landscape around you, very differently.”
Together, they’ll offer guests a deeper appreciation for an ingredient that’s as fascinating in the forest as it is in the kitchen.
A Culinary Experience Inspired by the Region
Chef Matt Christianson at Juniper Preserve created the evening’s menu to showcase mushroom-inspired dishes and locally sourced ingredients.
“Mushrooms give us an incredible range of flavors and textures to work with, said Matt Christianson, Juniper Preserve. “This dinner is an opportunity to create something memorable while highlighting ingredients, producers, and culinary traditions that connect us to this region.”
For guests selecting the wine-pairing experience, sommelier David Oliver has developed pairings featuring organic wines and selections with little or no added sulfites to complement the evening’s cuisine.
More Than a Meal: Supporting the Future of Local Food
While the evening celebrates mushrooms, it also supports a broader mission: helping local food producers reach more Central Oregon households.
Central Oregon Locavore, the Bend-based nonprofit behind the Meet Your Farmer program, is expanding its marketplace presence with a new location in Discovery West.
The expansion aims to create more opportunities for regional farmers, ranchers, and food producers to sell their products while making locally produced food more convenient and accessible to the community.
A portion of proceeds from the Mushroom Dinner, along with funds raised through the evening’s silent auction, will support the new westside location.
“When you sit down to a meal made with local ingredients, you’re experiencing the work of people who grow, raise, and produce food right here in our region,” said Nicolle Timm-Branch, executive director, Central Oregon Locavore. “Our goal is to make those connections part of everyday life, not just special occasions. Every new marketplace creates more opportunities for our local producers and more ways for our community to support them.”
Reservations Now Available
The Meet Your Farmer Mushroom Dinner takes place Friday, October 30, 2026, from 6-9pm in the Chanterelle Ballroom at Juniper Preserve outside of Bend.
Two ticket experiences are available:
- Dinner with wine pairings: $288 per person
- Dinner without wine: $204 per person
Advance reservations are encouraged as seating is limited.
Reserve tickets directly through Juniper Preserve:
Reserve Dinner with Wine Pairings — $288
For additional event details, visit the Central Oregon Locavore event page.
