Episode 241: Live from the BHA Rendezvous: Wild Food Q&A, Chef Stories, and Public Lands Cooking

Episode 241: Live from the BHA Rendezvous: Wild Food Q&A, Chef Stories, and Public Lands Cooking

Author: Harvesting Nature June 24, 2025 Duration: 46:17
Summary: In this episode of the Wild Fish and Game podcast, Justin is joined by Rikki, Adam Steele, and Chris Whonsetler to discuss their experiences at the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers annual rendezvous in Missoula, Montana. They share highlights from the event, including their participation in a cooking competition and the various dishes they prepared. The conversation also includes audience questions about cooking techniques, wild game preparation, and personal experiences in hunting and cooking. They reflect on the importance of public lands and the community built around wild food. - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review of the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Links: Okayest Cook Website Okayest Cook YouTube Okayest Cook Podcast Email: Whatscooking@harvestingnature.com Takeaways: The rendezvous was a great opportunity to connect with old friends and meet new ones. Cooking competitions highlight the creativity and skills of chefs in the wild food community. Using local ingredients can enhance the flavors of dishes prepared for large groups. Braising is an effective technique for cooking tougher cuts of meat like shanks. Engaging with the audience through questions can lead to insightful discussions about food and cooking. The camaraderie among chefs at the event fosters a supportive environment for learning and sharing. Public lands play a crucial role in food security and recreation. Cooking with wild game requires understanding the unique flavors and textures of different meats. The importance of mentorship in the culinary and hunting communities is emphasized. The hosts encourage listeners to get involved with organizations that support public lands and wild food. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Setup 01:18 Rendezvous Overview and Highlights 02:24 Field Table Cooking Competition 05:08 Cook-Off Experience and Insights 08:12 Food Presentation and Judging Criteria 11:07 Audience Questions and Answers 17:06 Cooking Techniques and Tips 19:49 Favorite Wild Game Recipes 24:59 Final Thoughts and Conclusion Keywords: Podcast, cooking, wild game, food competition, hunting, rendezvous, culinary skills, audience questions, food preparation, public lands 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: 50

Wild Fish and Game Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 282: Learning to Hunt Lanai [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:36
Summary: Justin shares his detailed experiences hunting on the Hawaiian island of Lanai, exploring its unique terrain, logistics, and the challenges of island hunting. Discover insights into hunting Mouflon sheep and Axi…
Episode 281: Cooking by Cut - Making the Book [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:25
Summary: Justin and Adam discuss their new book 'Cooking by Cut', exploring the philosophy of butchery, cooking techniques, and global influences on wild game preparation. They share insights on organizing the book, unle…
Episode 280: Advanced Offal and Wild Game Butchery with Anna Borgman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:22
Summary: Justin and Anna Borgman explore the fascinating world of organ meats, butchery, and processing wild and domestic animals. They share practical tips, cultural insights, and personal stories to inspire a deeper ap…
Episode 279: The Wild Pantry, Part VI, Pickling Wild Foods [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:57
Summary: Justin and Adam explore the rich history, science, and techniques of pickling, emphasizing safety, creativity, and cultural diversity. Discover how vinegar preserves, enhances flavors, and offers endless culinar…
Episode 278: The School of Salmon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:09
Summary: Join us as Melanie Brown shares her deep connection to salmon fishing in Bristol Bay, exploring its cultural significance, sustainable practices, and environmental challenges including the impact of farmed salmo…
Episode 276: The Wild Pantry, Part V, Preserving Wild Food with Fat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:52
Summary: In this episode, Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans explore the history, techniques, and safety considerations of fat-based preservation methods like confit, rillette, and oil preservation. They discuss how the…
Episode 275: Wild Game Without Borders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:09
Summary: Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans explore how global cuisines can inspire new approaches to cooking wild game, emphasizing techniques suited for tougher, leaner, and more variable ingredients. They discuss the…
Episode 274: The Wild Pantry, Part IV, Smoking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:33
Summary: This conversation delves into the ancient art of smoking food, exploring its historical significance, cultural practices, and the science behind how smoking enhances flavor and preserves food. The hosts discuss…
Episode 273: Wild Salmon, Wild Forests [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:31
Summary: Join us as Tyson Fick from Yakobi Fisheries shares insights into Alaskan salmon fishing, conservation efforts, and the ecological importance of wild salmon. Discover the nuances of sustainable fishing, the impac…