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: 100

Wild Fish and Game Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 262: The Harvest Report - February 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Summary The Wild Harvest Report for February 2026 provides a comprehensive overview of seasonal opportunities for hunting, fishing, and foraging across North America. The report explores regions from the Southeast to the…
Episode 261: The Wild Pantry, Part I - Freezing as Preservation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Summary In this episode, Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans explore the significance of freezing as a method of food preservation. They discuss the historical context of freezing, the science behind how freezing affects…
Episode 258: The Future of Wild Food: What 2026 Gets Right and Wrong [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:31
Summary In this episode, Justin and Adam examine how wild food culture is evolving as it moves into the mainstream. They discuss the influence of technology and AI on hunting, foraging, and social media, the growing resp…
Episode 257: How to Transform Holiday Wild Game Leftovers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:31
Summary In this episode, Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans explore the creative potential of holiday leftovers, particularly focusing on wild game. They discuss various ways to transform leftovers into exciting new dis…
Episode 256: Wild Food Has No Single Culture [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:15
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Episode 255: North America’s Invasive Species Double Standard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:15
Summary This conversation explores the complex perceptions surrounding invasive species, examining why some are celebrated while others are vilified. The discussion delves into cultural, economic, and ecological factors…
Episode 254: The Best Wild Game Recipes for the Holidays [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:55
Summary In this conversation, Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans explore the creative and experimental aspects of cooking, particularly focusing on unique roasts that combine various meats. They discuss the idea of a 'F…
Episode 253: Why Hunters Value the First Meal After the Hunt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:24
Summary In this episode, Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans dig into the ancient first bite traditions of hunting—those raw, fire-lit moments when hunters taste the animal they’ve just harvested. They explore the histor…