We loved our trip so much, we’re still on the high. We may be physically back in the ATL, but that’s about it. The heart and mind take a little longer, thankfully!

The picture here is of the local tartufi bianchi from the Piemonte (Piedmont) region we visited this year. They’re so amazing, but not more so than the local chicken of the woods mushroom our friends Sam & Cornelia shared with the Mushroom Club of Georgia attendees, but we were having too much fun on Monday night to snap a photo of those (yes, again). So…

What you missed on Monday night:

• Sage battered Chicken of the Woods with Cheddar Fonduta (by Victor, inspired by Sam, courtesy of the recipe in Kevin Gillespie’s new cookbook “Fire in My Belly” and requested by me!)
• Cornmeal battered Chicken of the Woods mushrooms with Lime-Horseradish Aioli (made by Sam!)
• Yummy Cheese and Crudité (provided by Hank)
• Sweet Potato Home Fries (made by Tana)
• Curried Eggplant with Mustard Greens (made by me, with sous chef Victor; again inspired by, and with apologies to!, Kevin Gillespie’s chef demo at the Morningside Farmer’s Market on Saturday)
• Chocolate torte (from Hank’s birthday party)
• Vanilla ice cream with AMAZING assortment of balsamic drizzles: chocolate, cherry, blueberry and fig (generously shared by Sam & Cornelia)

Oh, yeah, and a few bottles of delicious vino… certo!