First Pine mushrooms of the season
There is a special kind of thrill that comes with finding the first pine mushrooms of the season. After I heard the news from a forager, I run to his market booth — earthy, fragrant, almost like cinnamon and forest floor — I felt as if autumn had truly arrived.
In Japan, pine mushrooms (matsutake) are celebrated like jewels of the season. They are one of the most prized ingredients of autumn, valued not just for their flavor but for their symbolism. Their appearance signals the change of season, a fleeting moment to be cherished before the chill of winter settles in.
For me, cooking with pine mushrooms is a kind of ritual. Their fragrance transforms a dish into an experience — the aroma fills the room before the first bite, and the texture - awakening memory and appetite at once.
That’s why I’m so excited to feature the very first pine mushrooms of the season at our Equinox dinner. They will appear in one of the courses, paired with other autumn ingredients to honor this moment in the year. Finding them felt like receiving a gift from the forest, and sharing them with you at this dinner feels like the perfect way to mark Shūbun, the autumn equinox.
Seats are limited, and I would love to welcome you to this intimate celebration of the season.
Mæst Food Secret Dinner:
Plant-Based Tasting Menu & Ceramic Art
At an undisclosed South Granville location, we invite you to an intimate five-course, plant-based dinner with very limited seating. This edition of the Secret Dinner Series features Vancouver ceramic artist Jonathan O’Leary.
September 27th
5pm /7:30 pm (2 seats left).
