COOK IT WILD — First Edition at Pilguse Residency

COOK IT WILD
First Edition at Pilguse Residency · 11–14 October 2026 · Saaremaa, Estonia

This October, Pilguse Residency hosts the first edition of Cook it Wild, bringing together chefs, foragers, and mixologists to explore the landscapes and coastline of Saaremaa and prepare food over an open fire using local ingredients.

Over four days, the programme includes hands-on workshops, foraging trips in the forest and along the coast, and two public dinners. Local and international culinary talent will come together to create menus shaped by what Saaremaa has to offer – from the forest and coastline to local producers.

Cook it Wild is led primarily by women. The event is rooted in the idea that the knowledge and skills developed in Estonia over generations through living closely with the land, forests, and sea are increasingly being discovered and valued elsewhere in the world.

The Team

Cook it Wild brings together local and international talent from across the culinary world:

Fia Gulliksson – founder and curator of Cook it Wild and international food systems entrepreneur
Ulrika Brydling – sommelier, sustainability expert, and CEO of Eldrimner, Sweden's National Centre for Artisan Food
Lena Flaten – award-winning Swedish chef and pioneer of open-fire cooking
Bella Porcile – botanical mixologist and forager
Élisabeth Passédat – head chef at Pilguse Residency
Margit Kuus – forager and farmer at Pilguse

The programme also features guest chefs and mixologists from Estonia and Finland.

Programme

Sunday, 11 October – Arrival and getting to know the landscape

The core Cook it Wild team arrives at Pilguse to meet local producers, discover the area and its particularities, explore the surrounding landscape, and forage ingredients to be used over the following days. The Pilguse Residency restaurant is open as usual from 12:00–17:00.

Monday, 12 October – Workshops and foraging

The day includes hands-on workshops and foraging trips in the forest and along the coast. Local chefs and mixologists work alongside the international team to explore the possibilities of Saaremaa's wild ingredients in food and drink. The day concludes with a relaxed Table Talk Dinner.

Table Talk Dinner – €35 per person
Drinks not included.

Tuesday, 13 October – Cook it Wild Gala Dinner

The evening centres around a multi-course dinner prepared over an open fire and shaped by ingredients sourced from the landscapes of Saaremaa. Before dinner, guests are invited to a Mix it Wild presentation and a selection of curated bites. The meal is accompanied by carefully matched wine and non-alcoholic pairings.

Before dinner, guests can pre-book a guided smoke sauna experience or a massage.

Gala Dinner – €65 per person
Wine and drink pairing prices to be confirmed.
Bar opens at 19:00. Dinner at 20:00.
Limited to 50 guests. Advance booking is required.

Wednesday, 14 October – Departure

Wellness at Pilguse

Massage Studio

A massage experience led by Elo in the greenhouse, where a wood-burning stove, handmade herbal oils, and the surrounding nature create a calm and welcoming atmosphere.

Face or foot massage, 30 min – €45
Full-body massage, 60 min – €75
Full-body massage, 90 min – €110

Guided Smoke Sauna Experience

A two-hour smoke sauna experience led by Evelin, bringing together fire, water, stones, and medicinal plants.

€55 per person

The experience includes a towel, herbal teas, herbal steam, ash and herbal salt scrubs, egg shampoo, refreshing dips in the spring and natural pool, followed by fruit and nuts.

Wellness experiences should be booked in advance by emailing [email protected].

Accommodation

Accommodation at Pilguse Residency starts at €65 per night for a double room in the Annex and goes up to €240 per night for rooms and suites in the main house. Breakfast is included.

Accommodation can be booked via www.pilguse.com/stay or by emailing [email protected].

Pilguse Residency Restaurant – Autumn Opening Hours

Friday: 16:00–21:00
Saturday: 12:00–21:00
Sunday: 12:00–17:00

During the week, open by reservation or by phone.

Booking and Information

Maria Tamander
[email protected] · +44 7787 148256

Fia Gulliksson
[email protected] · +46 70 635 01 44