Want to get to know the landscape in a whole new way? Try sampling nature鈥檚 bounty. The greater Yellowstone ecosystem is a great place to add foraged ingredients to the menu鈥攋ust follow the advice of Kevin O鈥機onnor, a wilderness-inspired chef who seems born to the job.
O鈥機onnor knew he wanted to be a chef by the time he was nine years old. 鈥淭here are a lot of factors that set me on that path,鈥 he says. 鈥淕rowing up on a vineyard in the Sierra foothills was one of them. Being able to forage and hunt was another.鈥
Early on, he realized that good food came from a healthy landscape and that using the land鈥檚 abundance to feed people was a . For two decades, O鈥機onnor worked in Michelin-starred restaurants and even opened a hot new eatery right on the edge of Yellowstone National Park.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 where I learned what burnout was,鈥 he says. Overworked and depressed, O鈥機onnor quit his job and fled to a ranch in Montana to recoup鈥攁nd got back into foraging. 鈥淚 had the inspiration and sheer humbling power of the national park and surrounding wilderness,鈥 he says. 鈥淚t was a six-month-long vision quest that changed my life forever. Getting your hands dirty and your feet wet鈥攖hat鈥檚 all the medicine you need.鈥
An Edible Landscape
Here鈥檚 what to forage in Yellowstone National Park, plus how to prepare each one (foraging permit required).
Caraway
鈥Find it: Year-round, in wet, low-lying pastures.
鈥Use it: The seeds are good for seasoning, or chop the roots into soups or stews.

鈥峈辞蝉别丑颈辫蝉
Find it: September鈥揙ctober, in sunny patches and along streams.
鈥Use it: Make a syrup. Drizzle it over yogurt, or mix it with and mint leaves.
鈥岯lack Morel Mushrooms
Find it: June鈥揓uly, in burn zones one year after a fire.
鈥Use it: Saut茅 with garlic and herbs and stir into a creamy pasta.
鈥岹olden Chanterelle Mushrooms
Find it: August鈥揝eptember, on the forest floor among pines.
鈥Use it: Cook in butter and serve alongside grilled steak. Pair with .

鈥峅yster Mushrooms
Find it: May鈥揓une, on cottonwood trunks and standing snags.
鈥Use it: Lightly saut茅 and throw them on a pizza.
鈥峎ild Strawberries
Find it: July鈥揂ugust, on the ground along partially shaded trail.
鈥Use it: Put them in your morning oatmeal or a cup of yogurt.
鈥岺耻肠办濒别产别谤谤颈别蝉
Find it: July鈥揂ugust, on bushes along trails and in open forest.
鈥Use it: Bake them into a buttery pie or cobbler. Pair with to bring out the bourbon鈥檚 cherry notes.

鈥峈补蝉辫产别谤谤颈别蝉
Find it: August鈥揝eptember; look for big bushes along trails or in partial shade.
鈥Use it: Scatter with almonds over homemade ice cream.
Raise a Toast: Huckleberry and Honey Sour
Celebrate a great day in the national park with this custom recipe and , which was founded in 1872 to honor America鈥檚 first national park, and which continues to the national park system today.
Glassware: Rocks glass
鈥岻苍驳谤别诲颈别苍迟蝉
- 2 oz Yellowstone Select Bourbon
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz honey syrup (1 part honey, 1 part hot water, mixed and cooled)
- 1/2 oz huckleberry puree or huckleberry syrup
- Fresh huckleberries or lemon wheel for garnish
鈥岲颈谤别肠迟颈辞苍蝉
- 鈥岶ill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Combine all ingredients and shake until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.
Established in 1872, was crafted to honor the sprawling wonder of America鈥檚 first national park. It鈥檚 what first inspired us to create approachably smooth whiskey for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, and why we still do it today.