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Transcript: Foraged Feast
A child says, WHEE!
TVO Kids and Fifth Ground Entertainment, Original.
[Child giggles, joyful music plays, pop]
Text over video footage of a forest reads, “T.V.O. kids presents.”
Water splashes over rocks in a creek. Taviss, a ten-year-old girl, walks on a fallen tree. Her dark brown hair is in a high ponytail, and she wears a beige shirt, blue jeans, and a brown, cream, and pink jacket.
[Gentle music plays, water burbling]
Taviss narrates, IN A FOREST, THERE'S ALWAYS MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE. OR MOUTH. IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY, THERE'S A WHOLE BUFFET OF TASTY TREATS READY FOR SNACKING. DON'T BELIEVE ME?
Small, pale lavender flowers grow close to the forest floor. On a branch, bright red apples grow in a cluster.
Taviss says, COME ON, I'LL SHOW YOU!
[Upbeat music plays]
In the forest, Taviss runs on a boardwalk.
Title: Secrets of the Forest.
A drawing beside the title shows a girl sitting on green tree roots. She holds a magnifying glass and gazes towards the title.
[Whooshing]
On a branch, pink flowers sway in the breeze. Water flows over and under fallen trees.
[Leaves rustling, water splashing]
Taviss narrates, OUR ADVENTURE TODAY TAKES PLACE ON THE TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF THE SAUGEEN OJIBWE NATION TERRITORY. TODAY, THIS PART OF THE LAND IS KNOWN AS HARRISON PARK IN OWEN SOUND. IN THIS FANTASTIC FOREST, WE'LL DISCOVER SECRET YUMMY TREASURES. THIS IS GONNA BE GOOD.
Zach styles his dark brown hair away from his face, has a moustache and beard, and wears a dark blue T-shirt. He walks in the forest and stops to sniff a leaf.
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss narrates, THIS IS ZACH KEESHIG. ZACH IS AN OJIBWE CHEF AND THE OWNER OF NAAGAN, A SUPER-COOL AND CREATIVE RESTAURANT. ZACH SERVES UP DELICIOUS OJIBWE FOOD FROM RECIPES HE INVENTED HIMSELF USING LOCAL INGREDIENTS. MY MOUTH IS ALREADY WATERING. MAYBE WE'LL GET A BITE TO EAT WITH ZACH.
Taviss and Zach meet in the forest.
Taviss asks, SO, WHAT'S THE DEAL, ZACH? DO YOU HAVE A FANCY RESTAURANT
SET UP IN THE FOREST? IS THAT HOW WE'RE GOING TO FIND FOOD?
Zach says, NOT EXACTLY, BUT TODAY I'LL REVEAL THE SECRET OF FORAGING. THE FOREST IS FULL OF FOOD. YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO FIND IT.
[Whirring]
Taviss narrates, FOOD IN THE FOREST? NOW THIS IS MY KIND OF SECRET.
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a brown squirrel hops to a pizza and burger tree. The squirrel’s eyes turn into red hearts.
[Springy boinging]
The squirrel says, JACKPOT!
[Whooshing]
In the forest, Zach says, IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHEN YOU'RE GOING OUT FORAGING TO GO WITH AN EXPERIENCED FORAGER.
[Water burbling]
Taviss says, WHICH I'M GUESSING IS YOU.
Zach says, YES, YES, I AM. COME ON, I'LL SHOW YOU A THING OR TWO.
[Whooshing]
On a path, Zach carries a large basket and walks beside Taviss.
Taviss asks, WHEN DID YOU START FORAGING?
[Gentle music plays quietly]
Zach replies, I LEARNED ABOUT FORAGING WHEN I WAS IN CULINARY SCHOOL. WE'D GO AND FORAGE WILD EDIBLES AND WE SORT OF CAME UP WITH THE, THE IDEA OF INDIGENIZING FOOD.
Taviss says, THAT'S A VERY, VERY COOL WORD, AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT MEANS.
Zach says, SO, INDIGENIZING FOOD MEANS WE'RE TRYING TO LOCATE AND SOURCE FOOD FROM THE GROUND. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY.
Taviss says, I'M DOWN. LET'S GO.
Zach says, LET'S GO.
[Birds chirping, gentle music continues]
Zach puts down the basket and pulls a tree branch towards Taviss.
Zach says, OKAY, SO THIS IS GOING TO BE THE FIRST THING WE'RE GOING TO HARVEST.
Taviss says, A TREE? HOW ARE WE GOING TO PICK UP AN ENTIRE TREE?
[Record scratching]
Taviss narrates, I MEAN, LIKE, I'M STRONG... BUT I'M NOT THAT STRONG.
Zach says, UH, NOT THE WHOLE TREE. WHAT WE'RE GOING TO HARVEST IS GOING TO BE THE ACTUAL GREENS FROM THE TREE.
Taviss says, WHAT ARE WE MAKING WITH THIS?
Zach says, WE'RE MAKING A CEDAR TEA.
Taviss says, OOH, I LIKE TEA.
Zach says, WHEN I WAS YOUNG, MY AUNT MADE ME CEDAR TEA BUT SHE WOULD STEEP IT WAY TOO LONG AND, HONESTLY, IT WASN'T VERY TASTY. TODAY WE'LL SWEETEN IT SLIGHTLY WITH MAPLE SYRUP, SO IT'S KIND OF LIKE A SWEET TEA.
Taviss says, I LOVE MAPLE SYRUP. THIS SOUNDS DELICIOUS.
Zach says, THE GOAL IS TO ALWAYS MAKE THE FOOD TASTE GOOD.
Taviss picks up the basket. She and Zach walk further, then kneel beside a small leafy green plant.
Taviss narrates, A RESPECTABLE GOAL, ZACH. A RESPECTABLE GOAL INDEED.
Zach picks a leaf off the plant.
[Birds chirping, leaves rustling]
Zach says, OKAY, SO THE NEXT WILD EDIBLE WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT HERE IS WILD GINGER AND THIS IS ONE OF THE EASIEST BEGINNER FORAGING PLANTS TO IDENTIFY. THE PLANT ON TOP ALMOST HAS A HEART SHAPE OR A KIDNEY LOOKING SHAPE. SO, THE WAY THE GINGER GROWS IS IT'S A HUGE ROOTING SYSTEM UNDERNEATH THE GROUND. WHAT WE WANT IS THE ROOT UNDERNEATH.
Taviss says, WHY DO WE HARVEST THE ROOT?
Zach says, WE HARVEST THE ROOT 'CAUSE THE LEAVES ARE EDIBLE, BUT THE MOST FLAVOUR IS IN THE ROOT END.
Taviss says, WE'RE ALWAYS GOING FOR FLAVOUR!
Zach says, YES, AND THE ROOT HAS THE MOST FLAVOUR. JUST BREAK IT OPEN AND GIVE IT A SMELL.
Taviss and Zach each break a root and sniff it.
[Roots snapping]
Taviss says, MMM.
Zach says, ALMOST SMELLS LIKE LEMONGRASS.
Taviss says, IT REALLY DOES. IT SMELLS REALLY GOOD.
[Birds chirping, upbeat music continues]
Zach says, SO, THE NEXT THING WE'RE GOING TO HARVEST TODAY IS GOING TO BE THE WILD LEEK, OR THE WILD RAMP. SO, WHEN WE'RE HARVESTING, WE ONLY WANT TO HARVEST ABOUT THREE PERCENT OF THE CROP THAT WE HAVE HERE JUST SO WE DON'T OVERHARVEST AND THEN WE MOVE ON TO ANOTHER LOCATION SO WE CAN GET A LITTLE BIT MORE.
Taviss asks, AND WHAT DOES OVERHARVESTING MEAN?
Zach says, SO, OVERHARVESTING IS WHEN PEOPLE COME, AND THEY TAKE TOO MUCH FROM ONE PLANT...AND IT ENDS UP DYING AWAY.
[Whooshing]
In an animation, the brown squirrel and a white rabbit hop in the forest.
[Boinging]
The squirrel says, YOU WON'T BELIEVE THE FEAST WE'RE ABOUT TO HAVE! HERE WE ARE!
The squirrel and rabbit stop beside holes in the ground.
[Gasping]
The squirrel says, WHERE'D IT ALL GO?
[Crickets chirping]
[Whooshing]
In the forest, Zach and Taviss kneel beside a plant.
Zach says, IF YOU WANT TO GIVE ME A HAND, WE'RE JUST GOING TO HARVEST SOME OF THE GREENS FOR US TO COOK WITH LATER.
[Upbeat music plays quietly]
Taviss says, MMM, WHAT DOES IT TASTE LIKE?
Zach says, IT TASTES STRONG LIKE GARLIC OR A BIT LIKE ONION. IF YOU WANT TO, YOU CAN HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A TASTE OF IT.
Zach and Taviss taste the leaves.
Taviss says, MMM, I LIKE GARLIC.
Zach says, YEAH, VERY NICE. SO, LET'S HARVEST SOME.
[Leaves rustling]
Taviss and Zach walk and stop beside small purple and yellow flowers.
Taviss says, FLOWERS? WE CAN EAT THESE?
Zach says, YOU CAN. THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF EDIBLE FLOWERS, ...BUT THESE ARE WILD VIOLETS.
Taviss asks, WHAT DO THEY TASTE LIKE?
Zach says, SO, THESE HAVE A BIT MORE
OF A PERFUME SORT OF FLAVOUR.
Taviss asks, SO, IT'LL MAKE OUR FOOD LOOK REALLY PRETTY?
Zach replies, WHAT I ALWAYS SAY IS WE EAT WITH OUR EYES FIRST. SO THE WILD VIOLETS ARE A GREAT WAY FOR US TO GARNISH OUR PLATE.
Zach and Taviss pick yellow and purple wild violets.
Zach points at a plant with small white flowers.
Zach says, LOOK AT THIS WILD PLANT OVER HERE. THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO HARVEST. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS THE INVASIVE MUSTARD GARLIC. SO, AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, IT'S SPREAD ITSELF ALL OVER THE PLACE.
Taviss asks, SO, THAT'S A BAD THING, RIGHT?
Zach says, IT IS. AND THE BEST THING WE CAN DO AT THIS TIME OF SEASON IS ACTUALLY PICK IT AND EAT IT.
In an animation, the rabbit eats mustard garlic plants.
[Crunching, springy boinging]
The rabbit says, JUST DOING MY PART TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT.
[Burping]
The rabbit says, OH! HM, EXCUSE ME.
[Whooshing]
In the forest, Zach says, THIS WILL HOPEFULLY STOP IT FROM SPREADING MORE.
Taviss asks, SO, THAT MEANS WE CAN PICK A LOT OF IT, RIGHT?
Zach says, YES, WE'RE GOING TO HARVEST A WHOLE BUNCH OF IT.
Taviss says, WELL, LET'S GET GOING THEN!
Zach says, LET'S GO.
They pick mustard garlic.
[Cheerful music plays, birds chirping]
In a clearing, Taviss carries the basket as she walks beside Zach.
Zach says, OKAY, THIS TREE IS A GREAT ONE TO FORAGE AS WELL. THIS IS WILD STAGHORN SUMAC. WHAT ABORIGINAL PEOPLE DO IS SOAK IT IN COLD WATER, STRAIN IT AFTERWARDS AND THEN YOU HAVE ALMOST LIKE A WILD LEMONADE BECAUSE THE SUMAC IS SO TART.
Taviss asks, WELL, SHOULD WE PICK SOME?
Zach says, UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S JUST NOT IN SEASON RIGHT NOW. LET'S GET COOKING.
A montage shows rocks in a desert, a giraffe, mist rising off a river, mountains, blue water splashing against a shore. Text reads, “Where in the World?”
[Exciting percussive music plays]
Taviss narrates, FORAGING IS ALL THE RAGE IN RESTAURANTS ACROSS THE WORLD. BUT, OBVIOUSLY, WHAT YOU CAN FORAGE DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU ARE.
A person moves a frying pan on top of a burner.
[Sizzling]
A map shows the location of Denmark.
[Whooshing]
Taviss narrates, FORAGING IS THE ULTIMATE TREND IN COPENHAGEN, DENMARK, WHERE BLACKBERRY AND APPLE TRES LINE THE STREETS, AND ANYONE CAN GO PICKING.
The map shows the location of Brazil in South America.
[Dinging, whooshing]
Taviss narrates, FLY OVER TO SAO PAULO, BRAZIL, WHERE CHEFS ARE MAKING PASTAS WITH FORAGED HEARTS OF PALM PLANTS.
The map shows the location of Japan.
Taviss narrates, AND OVER IN JAPAN, YOU CAN KEEP BUSY FORAGING FOR SANSAI, WHICH ARE YUMMY VEGETABLES FOUND ON MOUNTAINS. NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN THE WORLD, FORAGING FOR FOOD IS ONE TASTY TREND.
[Whooshing]
A fire burns in a large metal barbecue. Taviss and Zach approach a picnic table with a large bowl, a loaf of bread, and ingredients in jars and bowls.
[Fire crackling, gentle music plays]
Zach says, OKAY, NOW WE'RE AT MY FAVOURITE PART: THE COOKING. THE FIRST THING WE'RE DOING IS MAKING SORT OF A CHIMICHURRI OR A PESTO OUT OF THE WILD LEEKS AND MUSTARD GARLIC WE FORAGED.
Taviss says, SOUNDS GOOD!
Zach says, ALL RIGHT, LET'S GET CHOPPING. SO, THIS IS THE MUSTARD GARLIC AND THE LEEK TOPS.
On a cutting board, Zach chops the leek tops and mustard garlic.
[Scraping]
Taviss asks, ARE YOU USING ALL OF THIS?
Zach says, WE'RE USING WHAT WE FORAGED.
Taviss says, AND THAT'S A GOOD THING. THAT MEANS NO WASTE, RIGHT?
[Upbeat music plays]
Zach says, NO WASTE AT ALL. NOW, I'M GOING TO PUT THIS ROUGHLY CHOPPED STUFF INTO A BOWL. ALL YOU'RE GOING TO DO IS START POUNDING IT ALMOST.
Zach says, AND THAT JUST LETS OUT SOME OF THE ESSENTIAL OILS.
Zach pounds the chopped ingredients with a wooden pestle. He gives the bowl and pestle to Taviss and she pounds the leaves.
[Pounding]
Taviss asks, LIKE THIS?
Zach says, THERE, THAT'S PERFECT.
WHILE YOU'RE DOING THAT, I'LL ROUGHLY CHOP OUR GARLIC. SO, THIS IS GARLIC THAT WE GOT FROM OUR FARM. YOU USUALLY USE PINE NUTS BUT WE'RE GOING TO USE ONTARIO SUNFLOWER SEEDS HERE. NOW, WE START ADDING A BIT OF OUR LIQUIDS.
Zach adds the ingredients to the bowl while Taviss pounds with the pestle.
[Pounding]
Taviss says, SO WE HAVE OIL, VINEGAR, LOCAL HONEY. MM, SMELLS SO GOOD.
Zach adds a tablespoon of honey.
Zach says, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO GIVE IT A TASTE TO SEE IF IT NEEDS ANY MORE OF THOSE THINGS. I'LL LET YOU TASTE IT FIRST.
They taste the ingredients. Taviss nods.
[Gentle music plays]
Taviss says, MMM.
Zach asks, WHAT DO YOU THINK? I THINK THAT'S PERFECT.
Taviss replies, I THINK IT'S PERFECT, TOO. SO, WHAT'S NEXT?
Zach says, NOW WE'RE GOING TO GET STARTED ON OUR BREAD THAT I DEVELOPED CALLED AN INDIGENIZED SOURDOUGH BREAD.
Taviss says, HEY! THAT WORD AGAIN!
Zach says, YES.
Taviss says, SO, WHAT MAKES IT INDIGENIZED?
Zach says, IT'S BEEN MADE WITH GROUND WILD RICE, SOME ORGANIC WHITE FLOUR, SOME SPELT FLOUR, AND THEN ON TOP WE HAVE ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL SEEDS.
Taviss says, SO, THE INGREDIENTS ARE ALL INDIGENOUS TO THIS AREA?
Zach says, YEP.
Taviss says, SOUNDS DELICIOUS.
Zach slices the bread.
[Sawing]
Zach says, JUST GOING TO START SLICING OUR BREAD.
Taviss says, OOH, THAT LOOKS YUMMY!
[Whooshing]
In an animation, the squirrel says, THE HUMANS ARE EATING BREAD!
Squirrels run excitedly on the ground.
[All chattering excitedly]
[Whooshing]
In the forest, Zach and Taviss kneel beside the barbecue. Zach places the bread on a grill over charcoal. Steam rises from a pot with water and the cedar greens.
[Upbeat music plays]
Zach says, JUST LETTING OUR TEA STEEP. IT'S ALMOST DONE ALREADY. YOU CAN SEE IT JUST CHANGING COLOURS A LITTLE BIT.
Taviss asks, DO YOU THINK THEY'RE READY?
Zach says, I THINK THEY'RE PERFECT.
Taviss says, THAT COOKED PRETTY FAST.
Zach says, YEAH. WE'RE GONNA STRAIN OUR TEA, AND THEN WE'LL START PLATING UP.
Zach pours the tea through a strainer.
[Tea bubbling]
Taviss says, MMM, LOOKS GOOD.
[Drumsticks tapping, rock music plays]
Text reads, “The Fun Factor.”
Taviss says, HARRISON PARK IS AN AWESOME PARK. AND CHECK IT OUT! THEY HAVE A HUGE HILL! WHEN NATURE GIVES YOU A HILL, YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO. LET'S GO HAVE SOME FUN!
Taviss runs up the hill.
Taviss says, LET'S GO ROLLING!
[Rustling, Taviss panting]
Taviss stands and runs down the hill.
Taviss says, I'M RUNNING INSTEAD.
[Rock music fades out]
At the picnic table, Taviss says, I'M SO HUNGRY AND IT'S FINALLY EATING TIME!
Zach says, WE'RE GETTING CLOSE! I'M GOING TO SEASON OUR GINGER AND CEDAR TEA WITH A LITTLE BIT OF MAPLE SYRUP.
[Scraping, gentle music plays]
Taviss says, THAT LOOKS DELICIOUS!
Zach says, WE HAVE OUR GRILLED SOURDOUGH. NEXT, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE SOME OF OUR CHIMICHURRI OR OUR PESTO THAT WE'VE MADE AND WE'RE JUST GOING TO SPREAD IT ON HERE.
Zach spreads the chimichurri on the grilled sourdough.
Zach says, NEXT THING I'M GOING TO DO IS ADD SOME OF OUR LAKE TROUT THAT'S FROM GEORGIAN BAY THAT WE SMOKED WITH CHERRYWOOD.
Taviss puts trout on a slice of grilled sourdough.
Taviss asks, LIKE THIS?
Zach says, BEAUTIFUL, LOOKS GREAT. AND THEN THE LAST THING WE'RE GOING TO DO IS GARNISH WITH THE WILD GREENS WE WENT AND GRABBED EARLIER.
Taviss says, OH, YEAH! OUR PRETTY FLOWERS!
Zach says, YES, THESE ADD FLAVOUR, TOO.
They put the wild violets on top of the grilled sourdough.
Taviss says, THIS IS LOOKING SO GOURMET.
Zach says, GOOD.
Taviss says, OKAY, I THINK I'M DONE.
Zach says, GREAT, LITTLE CHEF, YOU'RE A NATURAL.
Taviss says, HEY, DO WE GET TO TRY IT OR NOT?
Zach says, YES, LET'S GRAB SOME TOASTS AND TRY IT TOGETHER.
Both say, CHEERS!
They each take a bite out of their toast.
[Happy music plays]
Zach asks, WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Taviss replies, IT'S SO GOOD!
Zach says, LET'S TRY OUR TEA, AS WELL.
They sip the tea.
Taviss says, IT'S SO GOOD.
Zach says, MM.
Taviss says, IT'S SO COOL WE FORAGED THIS AND MADE A WHOLE MEAL.
Zach says, THIS IS A REAL BIG PASSION OF MINE, NOT ONLY SHOWCASING THESE WILD DIFFERENT FOODS IN OUR DINING ROOM, BUT ALSO BEING ABLE TO TAKE OUT YOUTH LIKE YOURSELF AND BEING ABLE TO EDUCATE YOU GUYS ON WHAT'S EDIBLE IN THE FOREST AND THEN, HOPEFULLY, YOU'LL PASS THE KNOWLEDGE DOWN TO SOMEBODY ELSE.
Taviss says, THANK YOU FOR SHARING IT WITH ME.
Zach says, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MIIGWECH.
[Whooshing, gentle music plays]
Aerial footage shows a thick forest.
Taviss narrates, FORESTS ARE FULL OF SURPRISES. BUT WHO KNEW THEY WOULD BE SO YUMMY?
In a flashback, Zach puts wild violets on the grilled sourdough bread. Taviss picks a plant.
[Leaves rustling]
Taviss narrates, IF YOU HEAD INTO THE FOREST WITH AN EXPERIENCED FORAGER, YOU CAN DISCOVER WHAT PLANTS YOU CAN EAT, HOW TO HARVEST RESPONSIBLY, AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, HOW TO MAKE IT TASTE DELICIOUS.
In a flashback, Taviss and Zach try the grilled sourdough bread.
Taviss says, THE SECRET IS OUT! THE FOREST IS FULL OF FOOD!
Taviss sits on a fallen tree over a creek.
[Water burbling]
[Inspiring plays]
Text reads, “Secrets of the Forest is grateful to work in the traditional territories of many different First Nations. We acknowledge their stewardship of these lands since time immemorial and our responsibility to ensure it is never forgotten.”
End credits. Directed by Melissa Peters. Created by Melissa Peters, Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Written by Skye R. Regan. Produced by Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Featuring Taviss Paula Millington Edwards with Zach Keeshig. Logos: Fifth Ground Entertainment, T.V.O. Kids.
TVO Kids and Fifth Ground Entertainment, Original.
[Child giggles, joyful music plays, pop]
Text over video footage of a forest reads, “T.V.O. kids presents.”
Water splashes over rocks in a creek. Taviss, a ten-year-old girl, walks on a fallen tree. Her dark brown hair is in a high ponytail, and she wears a beige shirt, blue jeans, and a brown, cream, and pink jacket.
[Gentle music plays, water burbling]
Taviss narrates, IN A FOREST, THERE'S ALWAYS MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE. OR MOUTH. IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY, THERE'S A WHOLE BUFFET OF TASTY TREATS READY FOR SNACKING. DON'T BELIEVE ME?
Small, pale lavender flowers grow close to the forest floor. On a branch, bright red apples grow in a cluster.
Taviss says, COME ON, I'LL SHOW YOU!
[Upbeat music plays]
In the forest, Taviss runs on a boardwalk.
Title: Secrets of the Forest.
A drawing beside the title shows a girl sitting on green tree roots. She holds a magnifying glass and gazes towards the title.
[Whooshing]
On a branch, pink flowers sway in the breeze. Water flows over and under fallen trees.
[Leaves rustling, water splashing]
Taviss narrates, OUR ADVENTURE TODAY TAKES PLACE ON THE TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF THE SAUGEEN OJIBWE NATION TERRITORY. TODAY, THIS PART OF THE LAND IS KNOWN AS HARRISON PARK IN OWEN SOUND. IN THIS FANTASTIC FOREST, WE'LL DISCOVER SECRET YUMMY TREASURES. THIS IS GONNA BE GOOD.
Zach styles his dark brown hair away from his face, has a moustache and beard, and wears a dark blue T-shirt. He walks in the forest and stops to sniff a leaf.
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss narrates, THIS IS ZACH KEESHIG. ZACH IS AN OJIBWE CHEF AND THE OWNER OF NAAGAN, A SUPER-COOL AND CREATIVE RESTAURANT. ZACH SERVES UP DELICIOUS OJIBWE FOOD FROM RECIPES HE INVENTED HIMSELF USING LOCAL INGREDIENTS. MY MOUTH IS ALREADY WATERING. MAYBE WE'LL GET A BITE TO EAT WITH ZACH.
Taviss and Zach meet in the forest.
Taviss asks, SO, WHAT'S THE DEAL, ZACH? DO YOU HAVE A FANCY RESTAURANT
SET UP IN THE FOREST? IS THAT HOW WE'RE GOING TO FIND FOOD?
Zach says, NOT EXACTLY, BUT TODAY I'LL REVEAL THE SECRET OF FORAGING. THE FOREST IS FULL OF FOOD. YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO FIND IT.
[Whirring]
Taviss narrates, FOOD IN THE FOREST? NOW THIS IS MY KIND OF SECRET.
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a brown squirrel hops to a pizza and burger tree. The squirrel’s eyes turn into red hearts.
[Springy boinging]
The squirrel says, JACKPOT!
[Whooshing]
In the forest, Zach says, IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHEN YOU'RE GOING OUT FORAGING TO GO WITH AN EXPERIENCED FORAGER.
[Water burbling]
Taviss says, WHICH I'M GUESSING IS YOU.
Zach says, YES, YES, I AM. COME ON, I'LL SHOW YOU A THING OR TWO.
[Whooshing]
On a path, Zach carries a large basket and walks beside Taviss.
Taviss asks, WHEN DID YOU START FORAGING?
[Gentle music plays quietly]
Zach replies, I LEARNED ABOUT FORAGING WHEN I WAS IN CULINARY SCHOOL. WE'D GO AND FORAGE WILD EDIBLES AND WE SORT OF CAME UP WITH THE, THE IDEA OF INDIGENIZING FOOD.
Taviss says, THAT'S A VERY, VERY COOL WORD, AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT MEANS.
Zach says, SO, INDIGENIZING FOOD MEANS WE'RE TRYING TO LOCATE AND SOURCE FOOD FROM THE GROUND. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY.
Taviss says, I'M DOWN. LET'S GO.
Zach says, LET'S GO.
[Birds chirping, gentle music continues]
Zach puts down the basket and pulls a tree branch towards Taviss.
Zach says, OKAY, SO THIS IS GOING TO BE THE FIRST THING WE'RE GOING TO HARVEST.
Taviss says, A TREE? HOW ARE WE GOING TO PICK UP AN ENTIRE TREE?
[Record scratching]
Taviss narrates, I MEAN, LIKE, I'M STRONG... BUT I'M NOT THAT STRONG.
Zach says, UH, NOT THE WHOLE TREE. WHAT WE'RE GOING TO HARVEST IS GOING TO BE THE ACTUAL GREENS FROM THE TREE.
Taviss says, WHAT ARE WE MAKING WITH THIS?
Zach says, WE'RE MAKING A CEDAR TEA.
Taviss says, OOH, I LIKE TEA.
Zach says, WHEN I WAS YOUNG, MY AUNT MADE ME CEDAR TEA BUT SHE WOULD STEEP IT WAY TOO LONG AND, HONESTLY, IT WASN'T VERY TASTY. TODAY WE'LL SWEETEN IT SLIGHTLY WITH MAPLE SYRUP, SO IT'S KIND OF LIKE A SWEET TEA.
Taviss says, I LOVE MAPLE SYRUP. THIS SOUNDS DELICIOUS.
Zach says, THE GOAL IS TO ALWAYS MAKE THE FOOD TASTE GOOD.
Taviss picks up the basket. She and Zach walk further, then kneel beside a small leafy green plant.
Taviss narrates, A RESPECTABLE GOAL, ZACH. A RESPECTABLE GOAL INDEED.
Zach picks a leaf off the plant.
[Birds chirping, leaves rustling]
Zach says, OKAY, SO THE NEXT WILD EDIBLE WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT HERE IS WILD GINGER AND THIS IS ONE OF THE EASIEST BEGINNER FORAGING PLANTS TO IDENTIFY. THE PLANT ON TOP ALMOST HAS A HEART SHAPE OR A KIDNEY LOOKING SHAPE. SO, THE WAY THE GINGER GROWS IS IT'S A HUGE ROOTING SYSTEM UNDERNEATH THE GROUND. WHAT WE WANT IS THE ROOT UNDERNEATH.
Taviss says, WHY DO WE HARVEST THE ROOT?
Zach says, WE HARVEST THE ROOT 'CAUSE THE LEAVES ARE EDIBLE, BUT THE MOST FLAVOUR IS IN THE ROOT END.
Taviss says, WE'RE ALWAYS GOING FOR FLAVOUR!
Zach says, YES, AND THE ROOT HAS THE MOST FLAVOUR. JUST BREAK IT OPEN AND GIVE IT A SMELL.
Taviss and Zach each break a root and sniff it.
[Roots snapping]
Taviss says, MMM.
Zach says, ALMOST SMELLS LIKE LEMONGRASS.
Taviss says, IT REALLY DOES. IT SMELLS REALLY GOOD.
[Birds chirping, upbeat music continues]
Zach says, SO, THE NEXT THING WE'RE GOING TO HARVEST TODAY IS GOING TO BE THE WILD LEEK, OR THE WILD RAMP. SO, WHEN WE'RE HARVESTING, WE ONLY WANT TO HARVEST ABOUT THREE PERCENT OF THE CROP THAT WE HAVE HERE JUST SO WE DON'T OVERHARVEST AND THEN WE MOVE ON TO ANOTHER LOCATION SO WE CAN GET A LITTLE BIT MORE.
Taviss asks, AND WHAT DOES OVERHARVESTING MEAN?
Zach says, SO, OVERHARVESTING IS WHEN PEOPLE COME, AND THEY TAKE TOO MUCH FROM ONE PLANT...AND IT ENDS UP DYING AWAY.
[Whooshing]
In an animation, the brown squirrel and a white rabbit hop in the forest.
[Boinging]
The squirrel says, YOU WON'T BELIEVE THE FEAST WE'RE ABOUT TO HAVE! HERE WE ARE!
The squirrel and rabbit stop beside holes in the ground.
[Gasping]
The squirrel says, WHERE'D IT ALL GO?
[Crickets chirping]
[Whooshing]
In the forest, Zach and Taviss kneel beside a plant.
Zach says, IF YOU WANT TO GIVE ME A HAND, WE'RE JUST GOING TO HARVEST SOME OF THE GREENS FOR US TO COOK WITH LATER.
[Upbeat music plays quietly]
Taviss says, MMM, WHAT DOES IT TASTE LIKE?
Zach says, IT TASTES STRONG LIKE GARLIC OR A BIT LIKE ONION. IF YOU WANT TO, YOU CAN HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A TASTE OF IT.
Zach and Taviss taste the leaves.
Taviss says, MMM, I LIKE GARLIC.
Zach says, YEAH, VERY NICE. SO, LET'S HARVEST SOME.
[Leaves rustling]
Taviss and Zach walk and stop beside small purple and yellow flowers.
Taviss says, FLOWERS? WE CAN EAT THESE?
Zach says, YOU CAN. THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF EDIBLE FLOWERS, ...BUT THESE ARE WILD VIOLETS.
Taviss asks, WHAT DO THEY TASTE LIKE?
Zach says, SO, THESE HAVE A BIT MORE
OF A PERFUME SORT OF FLAVOUR.
Taviss asks, SO, IT'LL MAKE OUR FOOD LOOK REALLY PRETTY?
Zach replies, WHAT I ALWAYS SAY IS WE EAT WITH OUR EYES FIRST. SO THE WILD VIOLETS ARE A GREAT WAY FOR US TO GARNISH OUR PLATE.
Zach and Taviss pick yellow and purple wild violets.
Zach points at a plant with small white flowers.
Zach says, LOOK AT THIS WILD PLANT OVER HERE. THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO HARVEST. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS THE INVASIVE MUSTARD GARLIC. SO, AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, IT'S SPREAD ITSELF ALL OVER THE PLACE.
Taviss asks, SO, THAT'S A BAD THING, RIGHT?
Zach says, IT IS. AND THE BEST THING WE CAN DO AT THIS TIME OF SEASON IS ACTUALLY PICK IT AND EAT IT.
In an animation, the rabbit eats mustard garlic plants.
[Crunching, springy boinging]
The rabbit says, JUST DOING MY PART TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT.
[Burping]
The rabbit says, OH! HM, EXCUSE ME.
[Whooshing]
In the forest, Zach says, THIS WILL HOPEFULLY STOP IT FROM SPREADING MORE.
Taviss asks, SO, THAT MEANS WE CAN PICK A LOT OF IT, RIGHT?
Zach says, YES, WE'RE GOING TO HARVEST A WHOLE BUNCH OF IT.
Taviss says, WELL, LET'S GET GOING THEN!
Zach says, LET'S GO.
They pick mustard garlic.
[Cheerful music plays, birds chirping]
In a clearing, Taviss carries the basket as she walks beside Zach.
Zach says, OKAY, THIS TREE IS A GREAT ONE TO FORAGE AS WELL. THIS IS WILD STAGHORN SUMAC. WHAT ABORIGINAL PEOPLE DO IS SOAK IT IN COLD WATER, STRAIN IT AFTERWARDS AND THEN YOU HAVE ALMOST LIKE A WILD LEMONADE BECAUSE THE SUMAC IS SO TART.
Taviss asks, WELL, SHOULD WE PICK SOME?
Zach says, UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S JUST NOT IN SEASON RIGHT NOW. LET'S GET COOKING.
A montage shows rocks in a desert, a giraffe, mist rising off a river, mountains, blue water splashing against a shore. Text reads, “Where in the World?”
[Exciting percussive music plays]
Taviss narrates, FORAGING IS ALL THE RAGE IN RESTAURANTS ACROSS THE WORLD. BUT, OBVIOUSLY, WHAT YOU CAN FORAGE DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU ARE.
A person moves a frying pan on top of a burner.
[Sizzling]
A map shows the location of Denmark.
[Whooshing]
Taviss narrates, FORAGING IS THE ULTIMATE TREND IN COPENHAGEN, DENMARK, WHERE BLACKBERRY AND APPLE TRES LINE THE STREETS, AND ANYONE CAN GO PICKING.
The map shows the location of Brazil in South America.
[Dinging, whooshing]
Taviss narrates, FLY OVER TO SAO PAULO, BRAZIL, WHERE CHEFS ARE MAKING PASTAS WITH FORAGED HEARTS OF PALM PLANTS.
The map shows the location of Japan.
Taviss narrates, AND OVER IN JAPAN, YOU CAN KEEP BUSY FORAGING FOR SANSAI, WHICH ARE YUMMY VEGETABLES FOUND ON MOUNTAINS. NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN THE WORLD, FORAGING FOR FOOD IS ONE TASTY TREND.
[Whooshing]
A fire burns in a large metal barbecue. Taviss and Zach approach a picnic table with a large bowl, a loaf of bread, and ingredients in jars and bowls.
[Fire crackling, gentle music plays]
Zach says, OKAY, NOW WE'RE AT MY FAVOURITE PART: THE COOKING. THE FIRST THING WE'RE DOING IS MAKING SORT OF A CHIMICHURRI OR A PESTO OUT OF THE WILD LEEKS AND MUSTARD GARLIC WE FORAGED.
Taviss says, SOUNDS GOOD!
Zach says, ALL RIGHT, LET'S GET CHOPPING. SO, THIS IS THE MUSTARD GARLIC AND THE LEEK TOPS.
On a cutting board, Zach chops the leek tops and mustard garlic.
[Scraping]
Taviss asks, ARE YOU USING ALL OF THIS?
Zach says, WE'RE USING WHAT WE FORAGED.
Taviss says, AND THAT'S A GOOD THING. THAT MEANS NO WASTE, RIGHT?
[Upbeat music plays]
Zach says, NO WASTE AT ALL. NOW, I'M GOING TO PUT THIS ROUGHLY CHOPPED STUFF INTO A BOWL. ALL YOU'RE GOING TO DO IS START POUNDING IT ALMOST.
Zach says, AND THAT JUST LETS OUT SOME OF THE ESSENTIAL OILS.
Zach pounds the chopped ingredients with a wooden pestle. He gives the bowl and pestle to Taviss and she pounds the leaves.
[Pounding]
Taviss asks, LIKE THIS?
Zach says, THERE, THAT'S PERFECT.
WHILE YOU'RE DOING THAT, I'LL ROUGHLY CHOP OUR GARLIC. SO, THIS IS GARLIC THAT WE GOT FROM OUR FARM. YOU USUALLY USE PINE NUTS BUT WE'RE GOING TO USE ONTARIO SUNFLOWER SEEDS HERE. NOW, WE START ADDING A BIT OF OUR LIQUIDS.
Zach adds the ingredients to the bowl while Taviss pounds with the pestle.
[Pounding]
Taviss says, SO WE HAVE OIL, VINEGAR, LOCAL HONEY. MM, SMELLS SO GOOD.
Zach adds a tablespoon of honey.
Zach says, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO GIVE IT A TASTE TO SEE IF IT NEEDS ANY MORE OF THOSE THINGS. I'LL LET YOU TASTE IT FIRST.
They taste the ingredients. Taviss nods.
[Gentle music plays]
Taviss says, MMM.
Zach asks, WHAT DO YOU THINK? I THINK THAT'S PERFECT.
Taviss replies, I THINK IT'S PERFECT, TOO. SO, WHAT'S NEXT?
Zach says, NOW WE'RE GOING TO GET STARTED ON OUR BREAD THAT I DEVELOPED CALLED AN INDIGENIZED SOURDOUGH BREAD.
Taviss says, HEY! THAT WORD AGAIN!
Zach says, YES.
Taviss says, SO, WHAT MAKES IT INDIGENIZED?
Zach says, IT'S BEEN MADE WITH GROUND WILD RICE, SOME ORGANIC WHITE FLOUR, SOME SPELT FLOUR, AND THEN ON TOP WE HAVE ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL SEEDS.
Taviss says, SO, THE INGREDIENTS ARE ALL INDIGENOUS TO THIS AREA?
Zach says, YEP.
Taviss says, SOUNDS DELICIOUS.
Zach slices the bread.
[Sawing]
Zach says, JUST GOING TO START SLICING OUR BREAD.
Taviss says, OOH, THAT LOOKS YUMMY!
[Whooshing]
In an animation, the squirrel says, THE HUMANS ARE EATING BREAD!
Squirrels run excitedly on the ground.
[All chattering excitedly]
[Whooshing]
In the forest, Zach and Taviss kneel beside the barbecue. Zach places the bread on a grill over charcoal. Steam rises from a pot with water and the cedar greens.
[Upbeat music plays]
Zach says, JUST LETTING OUR TEA STEEP. IT'S ALMOST DONE ALREADY. YOU CAN SEE IT JUST CHANGING COLOURS A LITTLE BIT.
Taviss asks, DO YOU THINK THEY'RE READY?
Zach says, I THINK THEY'RE PERFECT.
Taviss says, THAT COOKED PRETTY FAST.
Zach says, YEAH. WE'RE GONNA STRAIN OUR TEA, AND THEN WE'LL START PLATING UP.
Zach pours the tea through a strainer.
[Tea bubbling]
Taviss says, MMM, LOOKS GOOD.
[Drumsticks tapping, rock music plays]
Text reads, “The Fun Factor.”
Taviss says, HARRISON PARK IS AN AWESOME PARK. AND CHECK IT OUT! THEY HAVE A HUGE HILL! WHEN NATURE GIVES YOU A HILL, YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO. LET'S GO HAVE SOME FUN!
Taviss runs up the hill.
Taviss says, LET'S GO ROLLING!
[Rustling, Taviss panting]
Taviss stands and runs down the hill.
Taviss says, I'M RUNNING INSTEAD.
[Rock music fades out]
At the picnic table, Taviss says, I'M SO HUNGRY AND IT'S FINALLY EATING TIME!
Zach says, WE'RE GETTING CLOSE! I'M GOING TO SEASON OUR GINGER AND CEDAR TEA WITH A LITTLE BIT OF MAPLE SYRUP.
[Scraping, gentle music plays]
Taviss says, THAT LOOKS DELICIOUS!
Zach says, WE HAVE OUR GRILLED SOURDOUGH. NEXT, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE SOME OF OUR CHIMICHURRI OR OUR PESTO THAT WE'VE MADE AND WE'RE JUST GOING TO SPREAD IT ON HERE.
Zach spreads the chimichurri on the grilled sourdough.
Zach says, NEXT THING I'M GOING TO DO IS ADD SOME OF OUR LAKE TROUT THAT'S FROM GEORGIAN BAY THAT WE SMOKED WITH CHERRYWOOD.
Taviss puts trout on a slice of grilled sourdough.
Taviss asks, LIKE THIS?
Zach says, BEAUTIFUL, LOOKS GREAT. AND THEN THE LAST THING WE'RE GOING TO DO IS GARNISH WITH THE WILD GREENS WE WENT AND GRABBED EARLIER.
Taviss says, OH, YEAH! OUR PRETTY FLOWERS!
Zach says, YES, THESE ADD FLAVOUR, TOO.
They put the wild violets on top of the grilled sourdough.
Taviss says, THIS IS LOOKING SO GOURMET.
Zach says, GOOD.
Taviss says, OKAY, I THINK I'M DONE.
Zach says, GREAT, LITTLE CHEF, YOU'RE A NATURAL.
Taviss says, HEY, DO WE GET TO TRY IT OR NOT?
Zach says, YES, LET'S GRAB SOME TOASTS AND TRY IT TOGETHER.
Both say, CHEERS!
They each take a bite out of their toast.
[Happy music plays]
Zach asks, WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Taviss replies, IT'S SO GOOD!
Zach says, LET'S TRY OUR TEA, AS WELL.
They sip the tea.
Taviss says, IT'S SO GOOD.
Zach says, MM.
Taviss says, IT'S SO COOL WE FORAGED THIS AND MADE A WHOLE MEAL.
Zach says, THIS IS A REAL BIG PASSION OF MINE, NOT ONLY SHOWCASING THESE WILD DIFFERENT FOODS IN OUR DINING ROOM, BUT ALSO BEING ABLE TO TAKE OUT YOUTH LIKE YOURSELF AND BEING ABLE TO EDUCATE YOU GUYS ON WHAT'S EDIBLE IN THE FOREST AND THEN, HOPEFULLY, YOU'LL PASS THE KNOWLEDGE DOWN TO SOMEBODY ELSE.
Taviss says, THANK YOU FOR SHARING IT WITH ME.
Zach says, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MIIGWECH.
[Whooshing, gentle music plays]
Aerial footage shows a thick forest.
Taviss narrates, FORESTS ARE FULL OF SURPRISES. BUT WHO KNEW THEY WOULD BE SO YUMMY?
In a flashback, Zach puts wild violets on the grilled sourdough bread. Taviss picks a plant.
[Leaves rustling]
Taviss narrates, IF YOU HEAD INTO THE FOREST WITH AN EXPERIENCED FORAGER, YOU CAN DISCOVER WHAT PLANTS YOU CAN EAT, HOW TO HARVEST RESPONSIBLY, AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, HOW TO MAKE IT TASTE DELICIOUS.
In a flashback, Taviss and Zach try the grilled sourdough bread.
Taviss says, THE SECRET IS OUT! THE FOREST IS FULL OF FOOD!
Taviss sits on a fallen tree over a creek.
[Water burbling]
[Inspiring plays]
Text reads, “Secrets of the Forest is grateful to work in the traditional territories of many different First Nations. We acknowledge their stewardship of these lands since time immemorial and our responsibility to ensure it is never forgotten.”
End credits. Directed by Melissa Peters. Created by Melissa Peters, Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Written by Skye R. Regan. Produced by Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Featuring Taviss Paula Millington Edwards with Zach Keeshig. Logos: Fifth Ground Entertainment, T.V.O. Kids.
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