Fall Foraging + Outdoor Cooking

Explore the forests and tidal edges of Cortes Island through your senses. Gather with Cheryl Chang, professional chef, and Candace Campo, Indigenous knowledge keeper and Talasay Tours founder, for a sensory experience that will weave together learning, foraging, and cooking. Together, we’ll explore the intertidal zone and the forest floor — reading the landscape for seasonal mushrooms, coastal plants, and wild edibles that have sustained these shores for generations.

This is not a foraging checklist. It’s an invitation to slow down, tune in, and let your senses lead. Chef Cheryl and Candace will guide you to pause and breathe and settle into the environment — because it’s only when we truly slow down that our senses come alive to their fullest potential. We’ll learn to observe before we harvest, to explore with all of our senses before we season, and to trust the intelligence our bodies already carry.

What You’ll Gain

• Knowledge of Indigenous Coast Salish cultures and history
• Plant identification and how different Indigenous cultures steward and utilize nature for food, medicine and technology
• Methods to connect with nature in a more meaningful perspective
• Tricks and tips on how to be creative with local ingredients with global flavours
• How to cook & preserve food with minimal to zero waste

What You’ll Experience

• Guided foraging walks in the forest
• Guided artistic exploration with elements from nature
• Making food medicine
• Forest wellness practices
• Hands on outdoor cooking with foraged ingredients
• Intertidal exploration and harvesting
• Optional crabbing (weather dependent)

Who this Program is For

This program is for those who are looking for a grounded reset by connecting themselves with nature. The interactive hands on approach of this program will enhance an immersion of your senses and enlighten your creativity and mind. We encourage all participants to come with an open mind and readiness to let go.

Fishing License Required

All participants in this program must purchase their own Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence before taking part in this program.

Please visit the Department of Fisheries website to purchase your Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence. For this program, you will need a 3-day licence that covers October 12–14 2026.

Material Fee

Additional supply costs ($60 CAD) for this program are included in the package pricing.

*Fishing License not included, please see link above to purchase.

Testimonials

“Exploring and cooking with Cheryl really opened my eyes to a whole new world of playing with ingredients and focusing on simple approaches but allowing myself to be in the experience of making my food and being present for every moment of it. Her energy and passion for working with your senses was really grounding. It’s almost difficult to describe, but I highly recommend working with Cheryl. Her presence and energy will create an everlasting impact.”

“Cheryl is able to instill curiosity in food in ways I have never experienced. She is able to break down unnecessary food boundaries that our society has created for us.”

“Touring with Candace made us feel closer to our surroundings and more connected to the environment, respectful of heritage and aware of our place in the world. It is a very humbling experience all together. Definitely a tour for people from all walks of life and all ages. The tour quickly became a multi-sensory experience that was complimented by Candace’s humour and love of life.”

Daily Schedule

A detailed schedule will be emailed to you about 30 days prior to your program. Click here to view a sample program schedule.