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Margate Mushrooms Festival – 18 & 19 OctoberSaturday 18 October – Programme
Martin Powell – “The Use of Mushrooms in Longevity and Healthy Ageing”
Join us for an illuminating dive with Martin Powell, a biochemist turned Chinese medicine practitioner, herbalist, lecturer, and author. With over two decades of experience working with medicinal mushrooms, Martin blends rigorous scientific insight with traditional wisdom to reveal how fungi can support healthy ageing and vitality. His acclaimed works, including Medicinal Mushrooms – A Clinical Guide and Medicinal Mushrooms – The Essential Guide, have made him a leading voice in the field.
Angela Wooi – “First Steps Foraging… Mushrooms”
Take your very first steps into the magical world of mushroom foraging with Angela Wooi. This session is designed especially for beginners, offering a gentle, engaging introduction to spotting fungi in the wild. Mushroom foraging is about more than gathering food—it’s about slowing down, paying attention, and reconnecting with nature. Angela will guide you through the basics: how to notice mushrooms, where they thrive, and the ecological relationships that sustain them. Expect a visually rich guide to some of the UK’s most delicious edible mushrooms, plus tips on how to safely avoid their inedible lookalikes.
Angela is an arts educator, artist, and passionate forager. She runs coastal plant and seaweed foraging workshops that blend creativity, sustainability, and joy. Dividing her time between Margate and Maidstone, she also teaches art and dance, and regularly pops up along the Thanet coastline with one-off workshops on wild food, sustainable eating, and painting the plant life she so deeply connects with.
Workshops
Practical workshops give participants the chance to explore fungi hands-on. Groups will be small for an intimate experience, with sessions repeated to ensure everyone can take part.
Grow Your Own Mushrooms – Learn the basics of mushroom cultivation, from spore to harvest, including substrates, growing conditions, and simple home techniques.
Using Mushrooms for Dyeing Fabric – Explore the natural pigments found in fungi and create vibrant, sustainable dyes for textiles, blending science and creativity.
Panel Talk: The Future of Mushrooms in Our Society
A forward-looking discussion on the many ways fungi are shaping our future. From food security to medicine, sustainable materials, and cultural innovation, mushrooms are emerging as nature’s versatile allies. The panel will share insights and visions, followed by an interactive conversation with the audience.
Mushroom Market
The festival will also feature a Mushroom Market, where visitors can browse and shop for a range of mushroom-related products. Stallholders include Margate Mushrooms, Luma Chocolates, and more to be announced. Delicious lunch will be available on-site, provided by MOP, with booking details to be made available soon.
Celebrating Mushrooms on Your Plate
As part of the festival, we’re inviting Margate’s restaurants to get creative with fungi. Selected venues will be offering special mushroom-inspired menu items throughout the weekend, celebrating the flavours, textures, and versatility of mushrooms. So far, participating restaurants include Angela’s The Perfect Place To Grow, Thao Thao, and Mori Mori, with more to be announced.
Evening Event – Music with Margate Mushroom Club at Hoff’s
Celebrate the day with Margate Mushroom Club at Hoff’s. Enjoy an eclectic mix of music, a warm atmosphere, and the chance to connect with fellow mushroom enthusiasts in a playful, relaxed setting.
Sunday 19 October – Programme
Darren Le Baron – “Mushrooms in Africa: The Untold Story”
Fresh from his travels across Africa, Darren Le Baron presents his latest research on the rich history and cultural significance of mushrooms across the continent. This presentation delves into the ancient use of fungi by Africa’s earliest indigenous peoples for spiritual and community growth—a practice still alive in many communities today.
From rites of passage and initiation ceremonies to ancestral communication, healing, and daily rituals, Darren explores the enduring role of mushrooms in both African and Diasporic cultures. Drawing on historical, mythological, and scientific sources, this talk highlights fascinating correlations in symbolism, language, and cultural practice that reveal thought-provoking insights about fungi’s influence on human society.
Darren Le Baron is a mycologist, ethnobotanist, and researcher with extensive experience studying the cultural and ecological roles of fungi around the world.
Oli Genn-Bash (The Fungi Consultant) – Bioavailability of Mushrooms
Oli Genn-Bash, also known as The Fungi Consultant, shares his expertise on the bioavailability of mushrooms, exploring how the body absorbs and utilizes the active compounds found in fungi. This talk combines scientific insight with practical advice on optimizing the health benefits of fungi in your diet and supplements.
Workshops
The hands-on workshops from Saturday repeat on Sunday, giving everyone a chance to participate. Groups will be small for a personal, engaging experience.
Grow Your Own Mushrooms – Learn the basics of mushroom cultivation, from spore to harvest, including substrates, growing conditions, and simple home techniques.
Using Mushrooms for Dyeing Fabric – Explore the natural pigments found in fungi and create vibrant, sustainable dyes for textiles, blending science and creativity.
Cooking Demo
A practical and delicious cooking demonstration showcasing creative ways to use mushrooms in the kitchen. Expect inspiration, tips, and techniques for making the most of fresh and dried fungi in everyday cooking. Hosted by none other than the incredible Chef Craig Mathers from the award-winning Kebbell's Restaurant in Broadstairs!
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
ARK Cliftonville, Margate, United Kingdom
Tickets
