I've been fascinated by mushrooms since I was a child. With a careful eye, a walk in the woods can reveal countless varieties of beautiful fungi. I have been observing, photographing, and identifying wild mushrooms for a decade now, but it was only four years ago that any made it into the hands of chefs. I owe it all to truffles. In 1988, the University of Georgia identified a species of truffle, Tuber lyonii, growing in young healthy Pecan orchards. Being a long time mushroom nerd, I went out every year during season and looked for them. It took 3 years before I found my first Pecan Truffle. The day I found it, I found 3 small truffles... the next day I found almost twelve pounds! My reception from local chefs was amazing. Soon after those first truffles, mushrooms became my entire direction.