mattersmagazine.com 31 Extension. “I got to know more people in the state who were really at the pinnacle of ‘foodie’ culture,” he says. Today, Lipow’s foraging- oriented business ventures include Dining Wild LLC (www.diningwild. com), which hosts walks, talks, and educational workshops to share foraging knowledge and techniques, and The Foraged Feast LLC (www. theforagedfeast.com), which encompasses the farmer’s market activity as well as relationships with area restaurants. If you eat at Arturo’s, Lorena’s, Abril Cocina or Coda, you just might have enjoyed a meal containing ingredients that were either foraged or cultivated by Lipow. Lipow is understandably evasive, protective of his supply sources and of exactly where he likes to forage. But it turns out that he mostly forages on privately-owned land, having worked out agreements with the landowners. He emphasizes the importance of responsible foraging and uses  sustainable methods for large-scale harvesting. “These methods include only taking 5 percent of what is there, leaving roots and bulbs for regeneration, and focusing on invasive species rather than native plants,” he says. The Foraged Feast also sets up permaculture sites for growing certain wild edibles to bolster Lipow’s yield and discourage overharvesting. Running his companies keeps him busy enough that he employs a handful of “freelance foragers” to keep him supplied with his wares. But he still finds time to go out himself, and often incorporates foraging into his business and leisure travels. This summer he took a trip to Maine to drop off his two kids at camp, followed by some foraging. “Maine is a foraging won- derland,” he says, beaming with pleasure. Edie Sachs is a writer and editor from South Orange. She did love the sea beans. And mushroom pizza has always been her daughter’s favorite. first-time nibbler commented that they really do taste like the sea – salty, slightly briny, infused with the essence of fresh ocean breezes. “I educate my customers, and then they come back and want a lot more,” says Lipow. Oneof hisrepeatcustomers, Debbie Frank of Millburn, stops by to see what he’s offering this week. When asked what her favorite items are, she responds, “It’s all really good! “I always get the sea beans, and I like to try different varieties of mushroomsandberries,”sheexplains. “I come here to get introduced to things I didn’t know existed.” Lipow grew up eating wild berries or mint that he would find at summer camp or on nature walks with his father. Making his living as a professional photographer working mainly in the New York City ad business, he pursued an interest in gourmet cooking, seeking out high- quality ingredients with unique and intense flavors. But his obsession with foraging was sparked when a friend who liked to forage for wild mushrooms brought him a giant puffball. “It was bigger than a volleyball,” says Lipow. “Iron Chef waspopularbackthen,andmybuddy said, ‘Dude, you have to Iron Chef this thing.’ That’s how it all started.” An avid mountain biker, Lipow began takingabagwithhimonhiswoodland rides to bring back his finds. Lipow moved to Maple- wood in 2005, drawn to this area like so many others by the positive buzz from friends who had already relocated here from the city. Once here, he began to focus seriously on foraging and food as a vocation rather than an avocation. He joined the New Jersey Mycological Association, a nonprofit whose mission is to expand knowledge and interest regarding fungi. He also obtained certification as a master gardener through the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Service, and took courses in mushroom cultivation through Cornell University’s Cooperative We keep you smiling! 250 Millburn Avenue | Millburn 973-467-0077 Saturdays and Evenings Available On site parking | Convenient location Wendy Wisz, DMD General, Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry Every effort is made to ensure the utmost comfort for each patient. Enjoy a modern profes- sional environment and a caring staff. As a former faculty mem- ber of Fairleigh Dickinson Dental School, Dr. Wisz now devotes all her time to private practice. COME FOR A TOUR THIS FALL! OPEN HOUSES Wednesday, October 26 n Friday, November 18 Tuesday, November 29 RSVP 973.379.3442 or farbrook.org CO-ED n NURSERY THROUGH GRADE 8 n SHORT HILLS, NJ