18 Nation’s Favourites On the hunt


One of a handful of truffl e farmers in the UK, Mike Collison grows the fungi in his Shropshire orchard, seeking them out with the help of his dog, Oscar. Words: Jez Fredenburgh


“You get lost in your own world in the truffl e orchard,” says Mike Collison. “It’s peaceful and you never know what you’re going to fi nd.” Working their way along neat rows of oak, hazel, pine and beech trees, Mike and his specially bred, truffl e-hunting dog, Oscar, an Italian Lagotto Romagnolo, are searching for burgundy truffl es — one of the world’s most expensive, most sought-after fungi. Oscar, nose to the ground, paws when he’s sniff ed one out, indicating where Mike should dig. “T ey’re knobbly-looking things,”


says Mike. “T ey can be the size of a pea or an orange, close to the surface or three to four inches down. At this time of year [June], we’ll harvest two to three kilos in


A TRUFFLE FROM THE MORNING FORAGE


MIKE AND HIS DOG, OSCAR, IN THE ORCHARD


19TH JUNE 2023 FOOD & DRINK DISTRIBUTED WITH


40 minutes — after that, Oscar’s had enough and so have I.” T e truffl es are then washed, graded, trimmed of any over-ripe parts and sent to chefs around Shropshire. Mike, who runs Shropshire


Truffl es with his wife Michelle, fi rst tried truffl e hunting in France’s Loire Valley in 2006, and was inspired to set up a farm of his own. In 2008, the couple planted 1,500 trees in their four-acre orchard, overlooking the village of Stapleton. Each had been inoculated with truffl e spores; as the saplings grew, the fungi worked through the roots from which they’d eventually grow. And although Mike believes his is now the most high-yielding truffl e orchard in the country, the couple had a nail-biting 10 years waiting for their fi rst harvest. “I wasn’t sure if I was planting


something that would grow into a business or just an oak forest,” says Mike. “A friend with a truffl e- hunting dog came after year seven and didn’t fi nd many. T en, in year nine, a badger got in and dug loads up!” A decade in, Oscar was introduced, and after a slow start, became a truffl e-hunting machine. “When he’s found a good one, he’ll roll onto his tummy,” says Mike. Harvest begins in June, when


the truffl e fl avour is mushroomy and the fl esh inside still white. By August, they’re darker and with a more intense aroma and brown- white marbling inside. “I like mine grated onto steak or a poached egg, but lots of chefs we supply use it on pasta or in risottos,” says Mike. Now the wait for his truffl es is


over, Mike can enjoy the magic of his orchard. “Oscar and I sometimes


This is Golf. Opened Up.


stop, sit under a tree and take it all in — when I think about it, I’m quite proud of what I’ve created.” shropshiretruffl es.co.uk


First published in the Autumn 2022 issue of Food by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Read the feature in full at nationalgeographic.com/travel


TASTE YOUR WAY AROUND THE WORLD


JAMES GIFFORD-MEAD


Do you want to sample delicious international cuisine while meeting some of the biggest names in food? The National Geographic Traveller (UK) Food Festival is the place to be on 15-16 July. Celebrate food and travel, and learn from famous chefs, authors and experts, all of whom will be coming together at London’s Business Design Centre to give you a taste of the world — from Cyprus to Ecuador and all the incredible culinary destinations in between. Book your ticket via foodfestival.natgeotraveller.co.uk to join panel sessions, catch live chef demonstrations and learn how to make loads of new dishes. Get 10% off with code SAVE2023.


Save up to £10 per


ticket with our group discount offers! Visit


AIGWomensOpen.com or call 01334 460 010 to fi nd out more


Get ready for a summer festival like no other at the AIG Women’s Open! Join the fun at Walton Heath Golf Club, an hour’s drive from London, for a combination of world-class golf and the vibrant, outdoor atmosphere of a sun-soaked celebration. From 9 to 13 August 2023, Walton


Heath welcomes the AIG Women’s Open for the fi rst time, showcasing the world’s best players on its famed course. Witness the incredible talents of Georgia Hall, Lydia Ko, Charley Hull, Nelly Korda and more as they compete for the championship title. Global superstar Ellie Goulding will also take the stage on Saturday


12 August, delivering a show-stop- ping concert performance for you to dance the night away to and soak up the festival atmosphere. But the fun doesn’t stop there. Step


into the festival fan village, where you’ll fi nd endless entertainment under the sun. Engage in captivating panel discussions at the sessions stage, featuring leading fi gures from the worlds of sport, business, and entertainment. For the golf curious, why not try out the Golf It! Zone and dive into interactive activities that introduce you to the thrill of the sport. Immerse yourself in virtual reality and e-sports experiences that take


golf to new heights. Or sit back with friends and enjoy a refreshing cock- tail or two while watching all the sporting action on the big screens, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup. And, if you’re feeling peckish, you can satisfy your taste buds with a diverse range of mouth-watering street food options. Secure your spot now at AIGWom- ensOpen.com. Adult tickets


start


at just £20, while Saturday tickets, including a full day of golf action and entry to Ellie Goulding’s concert, are only £55. Take advantage of the exclusive bundles and enjoy a £10 discount on weekend tickets


or save £40 on the new fi ve-day ticket option. Looking for something extra


special? Why not treat yourself to a table


in T e Champions Club,


an exclusive premium experience located on the 18th green, with over 10 hours of fully inclusive dining and drinks! Don’t miss out on this unforget- table fusion of golf and festival vibes.


Contact information:


AIGWomensOpen.com E: Tickets@AIGWomensOpen.com T: 01334 460010


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32