Episode 221: The Rookies - The Journey from Kitchen to Wilderness

Episode 221: The Rookies - The Journey from Kitchen to Wilderness

Author: Harvesting Nature February 4, 2025 Duration: 32:30
In this episode of The Rookies, host Ken Chapman interviews Adam Berkelmans, a culinary explorer and adult onset hunter. Adam shares his unique journey from cooking in the kitchen to hunting in the wild, discussing the challenges he faced, the importance of mentorship, and the joy of butchering and cooking wild game. He emphasizes the deep connection to nature that hunting fosters and offers valuable advice for aspiring hunters. The conversation highlights the culinary adventures that come with wild foods and the surprises that each experience brings. - Leave a Review of the Podcast - Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices Takeaways Adam's journey into hunting began later in life, influenced by his culinary background. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship in learning to hunt. Butchering wild game can be daunting, but practice is key. Cooking wild game offers a unique culinary experience compared to farmed meats. Adam finds joy in the entire process from hunting to cooking. He encourages aspiring hunters to start small and learn through experience. The connection to nature deepens through the act of hunting. Learning about other cultures' cuisines can enhance wild game cooking. Adam's experiences highlight the surprises in flavor and texture of wild game. He believes in using every part of the animal to honor its life. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Culinary Exploration and Hunting 02:51 The Journey from Kitchen to Wilderness 05:54 Learning to Hunt: Overcoming Barriers 09:05 The Importance of Mentorship in Hunting 12:08 Butchering Wild Game: Tips for Newbies 15:02 From Woods to Plate: The Culinary Experience 18:01 Surprises in Wild Game Cooking 21:07 Learning from Other Cultures 23:58 Hunting and Nature: A Deeper Connection 27:10 Advice for Aspiring Hunters Keywords hunting, wild game, culinary exploration, adult onset hunters, butchering, nature connection, food journey, mentorship, wild foods, cooking tips Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Townsend and the team from Harvesting Nature host Wild Fish and Game Podcast, a series that treats wild food as a starting point for much wider conversations. Rather than just a collection of tactics or recipes, this podcast digs into the entire cycle of bringing food from the landscape to the table and beyond. You’ll hear discussions that connect the act of hunting or fishing to the rhythms of the season, the specifics of a place, and the cultural traditions that shape our approach to harvest. Episodes move through every stage of the process-the pursuit, the careful work of butchery, the various methods of preservation, and finally, the cooking that turns ingredients into a meal. It’s about the craft involved in each step and how these skills integrate into a practical, meaningful lifestyle. The conversations often explore how these harvested foods are carried through real life, nourishing families and communities. For anyone curious about the depth and connectivity of a life centered on wild foods, this podcast offers a thoughtful, comprehensive look at a system that is as much about philosophy and responsibility as it is about sustenance. Tune in for a consistently engaging exploration of what it truly means to know where your food comes from.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Wild Fish and Game Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 188: Sous Vide Venison French Dip [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:28
I’ve taken the classic French Dip sandwich and updated it with some venison backstrap. The signs of a well-made French dip are easily distinguishable from the bad ones. The bread-to-meat ratio must be correct. The cheese…
Episode 187: Come Hunt, Cook, and Eat Wild Pigs with us in Texas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:31
Summary: The Harvesting Nature crew and camp guests discuss their May 2022 wild pig hunting skills camp in Texas. They highlight the activities and lessons learned during the camp, including shooting, ballistics, cooking…
Episode 186: Exploring Organ Meats with Dr. Jonathan Reisman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:25
Summary: In this episode, Justin and Adam chat with Dr. Jonathan Reisman about hunting, cooking, and eating offal and organ meats. They discuss the incorporation of organ meat into diets and highlight the nutritional val…
Episode 185: The Turkey Book with Jesse Griffiths [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:23
Summary: In this episode, Justin and Adam are joined by Jesse Griffiths, a world-class chef, hunter, and author of the new book, The Turkey Book. They discuss turkey hunting, cooking, and the inspiration behind the book.…