Carole Anne and Curly are Arkansas transplants (they both hail from the east coast), brilliant musicians and amazing mushroom farmers. Their hippie roots brought them “back to the land” and to the magnificent Ozarks. They’ve been farming now for over 20 years, and know the shiitake like they know their three children. Their farm is very far from anywhere (honestly, our car’s GPS system showed a blank screen with a blinking dot ), and they grow gorgeous shiitake mushrooms on thousands of logs throughout their property. Lots of people grow mushrooms on logs, but they are the only ones who grow on logs at such a scale.

Their output each week is to the tune of 1500 lbs. The spawn comes straight from Japan, and the mushrooms are incredible (to Mirra – camera woman, this is the new white meat). Our videos are never just about the product though, its about the people -and Carole Anne and Curly are a very special type. Unabashedly intelligent and generous, within two days of filming at their farm – we felt like family. And then there was the music..! Carole Anne and Curly play pre-1930s banjo songs with a spirit that fits their farm and this video.

After learning to cook at his mother’s bed and breakfast, Daniel Klein (The Perennial Plate) went on to work and train at many of the world’s top restaurants. His culinary education brought him to Spain, France, England, India and New York, where he has worked and trained at top Michelin starred restaurants. After graduating from NYU, Daniel also pursued a career in film.