Mushroom Barley Soup

Name: Mushroom Barley Soup
Ingredients: 1 ounce dried mushrooms; 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed; salt and fresh cracked black pepper; 1 lb cremini mushrooms; 4 Tbsp butter; 2 large shallots, minced, about a cup.; 1 cup finely sliced inner celery stalks (and leaves); 1/4 cup dry sherry; 1/4 cup flour; 48 ounces chicken stock or vegetable broth; a sprig of fresh sage leaves; 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 cup half and half or heavy cream (evaporated milk or cashew cream can also be used.); grated Parmesan cheese