Jess Starwood is a forager, plant-based chef, teacher, and herbalist with a Masters of Science degree in Herbal Medicine (American College of Healthcare Sciences). She is the founder and owner of SunRaven Apothecary in Thousand Oaks, CA and teaches wild food and herbalism classes. Before the pandemic, she was a wild food consultant and forager for several Michelin starred restaurants in Los Angeles (Somni in Beverly Hills, and n/naka in LA).
She is the author and photographer of Mushroom Wanderland: A Forager’s Guide to Finding, Identifying, and Using More Than 25 Wild Fungi. Available directly from the publisher W.W. Norton & Countryman Press, or found at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, REI and many independent booksellers across the country.
In December 2019, Jess was recognized as one of the most creative chefs in Ventura County by Edible Magazine. She serves on the Culinary Committee for the North American Mycological Association as well as the founder of the Mycophagy & Culinary group of the Los Angeles Mycological Society, where she holds a board position as the Newsletter Editor. She has been featured in National Geographic and The Guardian.
Jess also has a passion for traveling and sharing adventures with others, exploring new areas through food, plants and fungi. She leads several foraging adventure trips every year in Arizona, Colorado, and Mexico with new locations being added.
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jess.starwood
Website: http://www.jstarwood.com
What People Say
Jess is one of the most inspiring people I have met. She truly knows nature and has an intimate connection with it that shows in her classes.
L.R.
A wealth of knowledge. I look forward to attending more events she offers!
G.Y.
Her food is exquisite and creative. The use of healthy, nutritious wild plants is incredible. We learn so much every time we attend her classes.
C.B. & R.E.
The Wild Path 