These five dining destinations capture America’s bounty on the plate. They’re worth the trip.

While primitive cooking once satisfied our need to survive, modern dining has come a long way from humanity’s early hunter-gatherer roots—or has it? From lunar cycles to crackling fires, these are the chefs and winemakers that heed the call of the wild.

In this interview with CanvasRebel, Chef Joshua Dorcak, the visionary behind Ashland’s acclaimed restaurant MÄS, delves into his culinary journey and the philosophy that shapes his approach to Cascadian cuisine. For those interested in the intersection of place, process, and palate, Dorcak’s insights offer a compelling look into the ethos of one of Southern Oregon’s most innovative chefs.

The James Beard Award finalists have been announced, and Oregon’s top chefs are once again in the national spotlight.