LONG BEACH PENINSULA, Wash. -- August 23, 2006 – Award winning chefs, sommeliers, restaurateurs, inn and bed and breakfast proprietors, foragers and others who make up the famed culinary community on the Long Beach Peninsula will present the Wild Mushroom Celebration from October 15 though 31. Inspired by the Peninsula’s plentiful supply of locally gathered wild mushrooms, freshly caught fish, prized Northwest wines and other ingredients fresh from the source, the Celebration is made up of a series of tastings, dinners, cooking classes and more – all focusing on savory wild fungi.

Highlights of the Celebration include the following:

• A four-course Wild Mushroom Chef’s Tasting Menu at The Port Bistro, at the Ilwaco marina, offered throughout the celebration includes three savory courses and one artisan cheese course. Cost is $45 per person with matched wines offered by the glass. For reservations, call 360.642.8447;
  
  
• Veronica Williams, the region’s most knowledgeable forager and purveyor of wild foods, will be the special guest at Boreas’ annual Wild Mushroom Breakfast at Boreas B&B Inn, Long Beach, 11AM, Sunday, Oct. 15, for an informal discussion on wild mushrooms. The event is open to the public and free of charge. Space is limited; reservations are suggested and can be made by calling 1.888.642.8069 or 360.642.8069;
  
  
• Boreas B&B Inn is also offering a Wild Mushroom Celebration package on the weekend of Oct. 13 through 15. The package includes accommodations for two for two nights, breakfast each morning and a private three-course Wild Mushroom and Argyle Wine Dinner for two at The Depot Restaurant, Seaview, Oct. 14. Package price is $450 per couple ($20 more for the Dunes Suite), exclusive of tax and gratuities. For reservations, call 1.888.642.8069 or 360.642.8069 or reserve online at www.boreasinn.com;
  
  
• At 6:30PM, Friday, Oct. 20, at China Beach Retreat, Laurie Anderson and David Campiche will present an evening of Wild Mushroom Appetizers, in conjunction with offerings by special guest Dawn Jump of Jumpin’ Good Goat Dairy of Ocean Park. The appetizers will complement the dairy’s aged wild mushroom goat cheeses. Cost is $35 per person and includes one glass of wine. To reserve, call 1.800.INN.1896 or 1.360.642.2442;
  
  
• 42nd Street Café, Seaview, will team with King Estate Winery for a “King Boletus Meets King Estate” dinner Friday, Oct. 20, 7:30PM. The five-course meal will feature wild mushrooms paired with King Estate wines selected by Chef Cheri Walker. Reservations may be made at 360.642.2323;
  
  
• Also on Friday, Oct. 20, 7:30PM, The Depot Restaurant, Seaview, will offer a “Wild Mushroom & Beresan & Balboa Winemaker Dinner.” Special guest Tom Glase, winemaker for Beresan Winery and Washington’s newest boutique winery – Balboa Wines, will introduce Wine Spectator-honored wines, including his rare Stone River Blend. Chef Michael Lalewicz will match wild mushrooms and European truffles with Glase’s wines. For reservations, call 360.642.7880;
  
  
• On Friday, Oct. 27, The Shoalwater Restaurant, Seaview, will host an evening of dining with Woodward Canyon Winery of Walla Walla and The Wild Mushrooms of the Willapa. Guests will enjoy a six-course dinner featuring regional wild mushrooms while sipping five artfully paired wines with Rick and Darcy Small of Woodward Canyon Winery. Cost is $100 per person exclusive of tax and gratuity; seating is limited. Call 360.642.4142 for reservations;
  
  
• A wild mushroom cooking class will be taught by David Campiche and Laurie Anderson at The Shelburne Inn, Seaview, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2PM to 5PM. Veronica Williams, regional forager, will be on hand to share tips on mushroom identification. For reservations, call 1.800.INN.1896 or 360.642.2442.

The Long Beach Peninsula and the surrounding area are blessed with a vibrant culinary community and a wide variety of edible mushrooms, which thrive under ideal coastal conditions – moist sea air, fertile sandy soil and protective evergreens. For a list of the 20 edible mushrooms found in the region and recipes, please access www.funbeach.com/mushroom.

Located on the southwestern-most coast of Washington state, the Long Beach Peninsula is rich in tradition and raw beauty. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, Columbia River and Willapa Bay, this enchanting 28-mile long sandy cape is a refuge for migrating birds and people seeking the solace of a seaside retreat. For destination information, contact the Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau at 1.800.451.2542 or access the Peninsula’s web site at www.funbeach.com.

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NOTE: For media use only, downloadable photos and recipes are available at www.funbeach.com/mushroom.