Forget food miles and the credit crunch and take a Food Foraging course! You'll soon discover that there's much more to wild food than nettle soup.

This autumn, forests will be filled with damsons, crab apples, beech masts, burdock root and emerging cleavers. Learn to transform the ingredients into a delicious meal with Ben Bass, Head Chef at the romantic Old Quay House Hotel in Fowey, Cornwall.

Ben is passionate about Cornish ingredients and alongside organic vegetables and beef, he uses locally caught fish and handmade cheeses.

Dating from 1859, the hotel has skilfully combined the historic features of the building with up-to-the moment chic minimalism. There are just 11 bedrooms (seven of which overlook the Estuary) including a stunning Penthouse Suite.

A two-night break costs from £450 (based on two people sharing a double room) including breakfast, champagne and canapés on arrival and dinner on one evening, plus a half day Food Foraging course and the opportunity to visit Cornish Black Pigs at Lankelly Farm and a Cornish dairy.

Visit www.theoldquayhouse.com or telephone 01726 833302.