CourseEstablished

Mushroom Pairing & Fine Dining

Pair mushrooms with wine, other drinks and ingredients, and build refined tasting menus around fungal flavor profiles.

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Level

Course

Modules

Duration

3 months · 72 h

Next start

January 11, 2027

Fee

$450

Format

Live online

Certificate

Course Certificate

Language

English US

School

Culinary Mycology

Program identification

1.1Program name: Mushroom Pairing & Fine Dining
1.2Type of qualification: Course
1.3Provider / endorsing institution: Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Culinary Mycology & Foraging. A Fungaris program of its own, not endorsed by a university.
1.4Mode of study: Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits): 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own program, not an official university degree).
1.6Language: English
1.7Start and end dates / intake: Next intake: January 11, 2027 to April 2, 2027. Enrollment closes on January 4, 2027. Following intake: March 8, 2027. How intakes work →

mushroom wine pairingmushroom fine diningmushroom tasting menufood pairing mushroomsgourmet mushroom dishes

Overview

2.1Program description

This course explores how to pair mushrooms with wine, other drinks and complementary ingredients, and how to shape a refined tasting menu around them. Students start by mapping the flavor profiles of key species, from the nutty depth of porcini to the apricot notes of chanterelles and the earthy intensity of truffles. They then study ingredient pairing principles, wine pairing, and pairings with beer, sake and non-alcoholic drinks. The final modules focus on menu design and the service, storytelling and presentation that bring the menu to life.

Tasting menus that celebrate a single ingredient are increasingly popular, and mushrooms offer remarkable range for this format. The program suits chefs, sommeliers and front-of-house professionals in fine dining. It is taught live by chefs and drinks professionals who build pairings for service. In the final project, each student designs a complete mushroom tasting menu with matched drinks and written service notes.

2.2Why it matters / what need it meets

It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in culinary mycology, useful in areas such as fine dining, wine and beverage trade, luxury hospitality, gastronomic events.

Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This program gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgment and safety.

Objectives and competences

3.1General objective

To finish the program able to apply its content professionally and with judgment. In short:

Pair mushrooms with wine, other drinks and ingredients, and build refined tasting menus around fungal flavor profiles.

3.2Specific objectives

Build the foundations: Mushroom Flavor Profiles; Ingredient Pairing Principles.
Put them into practice: Wine and Mushroom Pairing; Beer, Sake and Non-Alcoholic Pairings.
Apply everything to a real case: Designing a Mushroom Tasting Menu; Service, Storytelling and Presentation.
Complete a final project reviewed by your instructor.

3.3Competences you will gain

Describe the flavor profiles of the main culinary mushroom species.
Apply pairing principles to combine mushrooms with other ingredients.
Recommend wines and other drinks that suit specific mushroom dishes.
Design a balanced tasting menu built around mushrooms.
Present mushroom dishes to guests with clear, engaging storytelling.

Student profile

4.1Who it is for (entry profile)

Chefs, sommeliers and hospitality professionals.

4.2Entry requirements

Professional or advanced home cooking experience is recommended. Basic wine knowledge is helpful but not required.

4.3Career paths (exit profile)

Fine dining chef developing tasting menus
Sommelier specializing in food pairing
Restaurant manager or maître d'
Private dining and events chef
Food and drink pairing consultant

Sectors

fine diningwine and beverage tradeluxury hospitalitygastronomic events

Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.

Study plan

5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)

Module	Title	Phase	Topics	Hours
01	Mushroom Flavor Profiles	Foundations	3	12
02	Ingredient Pairing Principles	Foundations	3	12
03	Wine and Mushroom Pairing	Practice	3	12
04	Beer, Sake and Non-Alcoholic Pairings	Practice	3	12
05	Designing a Mushroom Tasting Menu	Application & project	3	12
06	Service, Storytelling and Presentation	Application & project	3	12
	Total			72

6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.

5.2Content by module

Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.

5.3Company placement

This program does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.

5.4Final project

A complete mushroom tasting menu with matched drinks and written service notes.

Methodology

6.1How it is taught

Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
Exercises and real case studies in every module.
Tutoring: your instructor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.

6.2Platform and resources

A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.

Technical requirements →

6.3Estimated weekly workload

About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.

Assessment

7.1Assessment system and weighting

Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, tasting and menu exercises in each module and a final project reviewed by the instructor.

40%Participation and module exercises

60%Final project

7.2Requirements to pass

Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
Hand in the module exercises.
Have your final project approved by your instructor.

Teaching team

8.1Academic direction

At Fungaris, the Culinary Mycology school coordinates the content and quality of this program. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.

8.2Faculty

Taught by professionals who work in the field. The instructor for each intake is confirmed before the start.

Meet our faculty →

Certificate

9.1Certificate awarded

Course Certificate

On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognizes them depends on that organization and on local rules in each country.

9.2Issuing body / recognition

Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.

About our certificates →

Admission and enrollment

10.1Admission process (steps)

Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.

10.2Documents required

A valid identity document.
Contact and billing details (personal or company).

10.3Deadlines

Enrollment for the intake starting on January 11, 2027 is open until January 4, 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).

10.4Fee and payment options

Fee: $450

Full payment before the start: $360 (20% reduction).
40% reservation ($180) and 3 monthly installments of $90.

Fees and financing →

10.5Grants, discounts and funding

Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organization. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.

Your employer can pay for the program and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.

10.6Cancellation policy

The conditions for canceling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrollment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.

Cancellation and refunds →

Additional information

11.1Frequently asked questions

Do I need experience to study Mushroom Pairing & Fine Dining?

Professional or advanced home cooking experience is recommended. Basic wine knowledge is helpful but not required.

How is Mushroom Pairing & Fine Dining taught?

Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.

How am I assessed?

Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, tasting and menu exercises in each module and a final project reviewed by the instructor.

What is the final project?

A complete mushroom tasting menu with matched drinks and written service notes.

What certificate do I get?

What can I study after Mushroom Pairing & Fine Dining?

The natural next step is Diploma in Culinary Mycology.

11.2Alumni testimonials

We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This program does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.