The Mushroom Man

Thomas Brain, known as 'The Mushroom Man,' is a Christchurch-based artisan food producer operating as Oak and Spore, specializing in gourmet and specialty mushrooms like Italian Oyster, Shiitake, and Coral Tooth. He cultivates upwards of 50kg of mushrooms weekly from his Christchurch property and also supplies mushroom spawn, substrates, and cultures. His Shiitake mushrooms are grown on sustainably sourced New Zealand wood, reflecting a commitment to local and sustainable practices. Thomas sells at the Lyttelton Market and supplies the NZ restaurant industry, while also educating aspiring growers through his popular YouTube channel.