I attended the Slow Food dinner at Hart House on Friday. 25 Chefs and the first appearance of Carlo Petrini in Toronto. It was truly a slow event, several courses over several hours, interspersed with speeches from Jamie Kennedy, Carlo and Antony John (Soiled Reputation) among others. The food and wines were great, though it was disappointing to see pistachios and cashews in the charcuterie. I realize that we've got a shortage of Ontario nuts right now (last fall's hurricane weather knocked a lot of underripe nuts off the trees), but we've really got to stay the course with our regional identity. And coffee? I would have been more excited with birch tea, spruce tip tea or chickory coffee.
Speaking of nuts, did you know Ontario grows a wide variety - hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts, black walnuts, pecans, chestnuts, hickory, gingko, pinenuts and heartnuts? Unbelievable, and a shame we don't have better access to them.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Some upcoming events of note in our area:
Our friends at Everdale are running a few education classes in T.O. and the KW regions.:
EVERDALE IN TORONTO
The Toronto Green Community and Everdale present…
Canning and Home Preserving: Part of a Local Food Strategy -
Learn how easy it is to preserve foods in your own kitchen, and then you too can make your own pickles, sauces or other specialty items all year long.
Date/time: Saturday, March 28, 2009 10:00am - 4:00pm
The Toronto Botanical Garden and Everdale present...
Green Roofs and Roof Gardens-
Join us to learn how to create a green roof or roof garden on both new and existing buildings.
Date/time: Saturday, March 28, 2009 10:00am - 4:00pm
EVERDALE IN KITCHENER/WATERLOO
REEP and Everdale present….
Planning your Organic Vegetable Garden: Join us for this day long workshop and learn how to grow delicious organic vegetables right in your own backyard.
Date/time: Saturday, March 28, 2009 10:00am - 4:00pm
Also, the deadline for applications for the Buy Local, Buy Fresh Map fast approaches. April 16th is the deadline to list your operation or advertise...the map "will be expanding to not only list producers in the region that sell local, but also restaurants, caterers and retail stores that make it there business to source local. With 40,000 maps distributed annually, it is a great way to advertise what you do."
For further information, and for application forms, please contact Kate Vsetula at kvsetula@guelphchc.ca or wellington.buylocal@sympatico.ca
Our friends at Everdale are running a few education classes in T.O. and the KW regions.:
EVERDALE IN TORONTO
The Toronto Green Community and Everdale present…
Canning and Home Preserving: Part of a Local Food Strategy -
Learn how easy it is to preserve foods in your own kitchen, and then you too can make your own pickles, sauces or other specialty items all year long.
Date/time: Saturday, March 28, 2009 10:00am - 4:00pm
The Toronto Botanical Garden and Everdale present...
Green Roofs and Roof Gardens-
Join us to learn how to create a green roof or roof garden on both new and existing buildings.
Date/time: Saturday, March 28, 2009 10:00am - 4:00pm
EVERDALE IN KITCHENER/WATERLOO
REEP and Everdale present….
Planning your Organic Vegetable Garden: Join us for this day long workshop and learn how to grow delicious organic vegetables right in your own backyard.
Date/time: Saturday, March 28, 2009 10:00am - 4:00pm
Also, the deadline for applications for the Buy Local, Buy Fresh Map fast approaches. April 16th is the deadline to list your operation or advertise...the map "will be expanding to not only list producers in the region that sell local, but also restaurants, caterers and retail stores that make it there business to source local. With 40,000 maps distributed annually, it is a great way to advertise what you do."
For further information, and for application forms, please contact Kate Vsetula at kvsetula@guelphchc.ca or wellington.buylocal@sympatico.ca
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Terroir
I was privileged to participate in Terroir at the Hart House at O. of T. on Tuesday:http://www.terroirhospitality.com/
http://www.gremolata.com/Articles/543-Terroir-Diary.aspx
An inspiring event that brought the local food movement to the food industry, proving that we can support sustainable agriculture and artisanal food production on a larger scale.
On the same note, the brilliant event held at Artisanale Monday for the Buy Local, Buy Fresh "speed dating" gathering demonstrated the same philosophy, and the exceptional turnout reinforced the strength of supporting local food.
Needless to say, keep the faith, support your local producers and make this a lifestyle, not a fad.
http://www.gremolata.com/Articles/543-Terroir-Diary.aspx
An inspiring event that brought the local food movement to the food industry, proving that we can support sustainable agriculture and artisanal food production on a larger scale.
On the same note, the brilliant event held at Artisanale Monday for the Buy Local, Buy Fresh "speed dating" gathering demonstrated the same philosophy, and the exceptional turnout reinforced the strength of supporting local food.
Needless to say, keep the faith, support your local producers and make this a lifestyle, not a fad.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Upcoming Events for March
We’re happy to announce a few upcoming events, beginning with an evening of coffee with our friends at Planet Bean. Join us on Sunday, March 22nd, from 6-9 p.m. at Planet Bean’s Grange St. location - 259 Grange Road East, Unit # 2, for a tour, coffee cupping, and an education seminar on coffee roasting, followed by a grazing menu of coffee inspired food and beverage items. Tickets are limited, so be sure to reserve yours by contacting me directly, or you can purchase tickets at either Planet Bean location or on our website: www.slowfoodguelph.ca. Tickets are $35 for members and $40 for non-members.
Also upcoming in April will be our first tour bus of the year, this trip will take us through some of the incredible Artisanal cheese makers in our area. As usual, samples will be available at each stop, along with wine pairings from Ontario wineries.
Many thanks go out to our new supporters from the Guelph Organic Conference, and today’s attendees at the Buy Local, Buy Fresh “Speed Dating” event with our local farmers. Both events were fantastically well attended, an inspiring indication that good, clean and fair foods are not just a passing fad, but an important way of living.All the best, and looking forward to seeing you all again
Also upcoming in April will be our first tour bus of the year, this trip will take us through some of the incredible Artisanal cheese makers in our area. As usual, samples will be available at each stop, along with wine pairings from Ontario wineries.
Many thanks go out to our new supporters from the Guelph Organic Conference, and today’s attendees at the Buy Local, Buy Fresh “Speed Dating” event with our local farmers. Both events were fantastically well attended, an inspiring indication that good, clean and fair foods are not just a passing fad, but an important way of living.All the best, and looking forward to seeing you all again
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Local Farm Tour Reviewed
Our first bus tour of local farms was a rousing success, thanks to some passionate farmers and very cooperative weather. About 30 people enjoyed a great day of food, wine and education as we raided four wonderful farms to appreciate the joys and challenges of running an ethical, sustainable operation. 
Guests were treated to an in-depth tour of each farm, with delicious dishes such as Slow Braised Pork, Duck Two Ways with Grilled Peach Compote, Herb Roasted Leg of Lamb and Miniature Angus Burgers. Each station also had an accompanying salad and wine selection.
If you missed it, it was as fun as it sounded. But all is not lost. You can experience real food - properly raised, ethical, sustainable, and of course delicious(!) by contacting me at jim@slowfoodguelph.ca. I'll be making infrequent runs out to the farms to pick up products and will have them available in Guelph for pick-up. Better still, plan to visit the farms in our area, it makes for a great day trip.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Local Farm Tour
A quick reminder about the upcoming local farm tour, Sunday August 17th from noon to 5-6 p.m. We now plan to depart from the parking lot in the Grange Plaza by 12:00, look for the big school bus. Our itinerary includes the following farms:
Blue Haven Farms http://www.designcanada.ca/bh.htm
Sampling braised pork and hand made sausages, with wine and beer pairing and accompaniments
They will have a wide variety of products available for sale.
Avalon Farms http://avalonfarms.ca
Sampling Rouen duck with wine and beer pairing and accompaniments
Whole duck and duck eggs available for sale
Thatcher Farms http://www.thatcher-farms.com/index.html
Sampling lamb with wine and beer pairing and accompaniments
Lamb, beef, pork and eggs available for sale
Nyman Farms
Sampling Angus beef burgers with wine and beer pairing and accompaniments
A selection of beef and pork products available for sale
There are still tickets available for this great event...please show your support for our local farmers by attending next Sunday, and encourage your friends to do the same. This is an incredible deal, and a great day out! Tickets are available through our website, or you can reserve your space by contacting me directly: jim@slowfoodguelph.ca.
Don't forget to supply your own plates, napkins and beverage glass for this event, we'll have rinsing stations at each farm. Bring a small cooler with ice packs for your purchases, this is a great opportunity to stock up. Those that can't purchase on the day are still in luck, I'll be emailing a list of products for sale after the event and will pick up and distribute the following week. I would like to see this become a regular thing, there are a number of great farms in the area with excellent products available.
Also, a reminder regarding our monthly Slow meeting at Latino's this Monday at 6:00 p.m.. I'm positive the rain will stop by then, so you'll find us on the patio with a glass of wine
Blue Haven Farms http://www.designcanada.ca/bh.htm
Sampling braised pork and hand made sausages, with wine and beer pairing and accompaniments
They will have a wide variety of products available for sale.
Avalon Farms http://avalonfarms.ca
Sampling Rouen duck with wine and beer pairing and accompaniments
Whole duck and duck eggs available for sale
Thatcher Farms http://www.thatcher-farms.com/index.html
Sampling lamb with wine and beer pairing and accompaniments
Lamb, beef, pork and eggs available for sale
Nyman Farms
Sampling Angus beef burgers with wine and beer pairing and accompaniments
A selection of beef and pork products available for sale
There are still tickets available for this great event...please show your support for our local farmers by attending next Sunday, and encourage your friends to do the same. This is an incredible deal, and a great day out! Tickets are available through our website, or you can reserve your space by contacting me directly: jim@slowfoodguelph.ca.
Don't forget to supply your own plates, napkins and beverage glass for this event, we'll have rinsing stations at each farm. Bring a small cooler with ice packs for your purchases, this is a great opportunity to stock up. Those that can't purchase on the day are still in luck, I'll be emailing a list of products for sale after the event and will pick up and distribute the following week. I would like to see this become a regular thing, there are a number of great farms in the area with excellent products available.
Also, a reminder regarding our monthly Slow meeting at Latino's this Monday at 6:00 p.m.. I'm positive the rain will stop by then, so you'll find us on the patio with a glass of wine
Sunday, July 6, 2008
July Updates
I've pried myself away from a beautiful weekend to drop you a note about happenings in the Slow lane...
Tonight is the dinner at Artisanale, which sold out last week. Apologies for those trying to get tickets this week...rest assured we will have more events like this one in the very near future.
Monday evening is our monthly gathering, still at Latino's at 6:00 p.m. If you're planning on attending, please plan to purchase a beverage, a snack, dinner, or whatever, as we are meeting during business hours and taking up seats :-)
Slow Food Guelph will be attending Feast of Fields this year! This is an incredible event, I've attended many times over the years. You love food, great wine and beer, and the outdoors - plan to be at Everdale on Sunday, September 7th from 1-5 p.m. More info at http://feastoffields.org/ or http://www.everdale.org/node/102. I'm looking for volunteers to assist on that day, so if you're interested, please email me.
Slow Food Guelph now has a FaceBook Page. I've opted to set up a "page" rather than a "group", as I think this newer format works better for us. Check it out at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Slow-Food-Guelph/17537008585?ref=ts
Become a fan, and help us add content to the site!
Last thing, peak season for strawberries and rhubarb will be over before you know it...I hope you're all taking advantage and canning or freezing for the rest of the year.
Drop me a line if you're looking for different ways to prepare and store these things. (I had the opportunity to experiment with rhubarb based cocktails last week with Borealis Grille's bar wizard Court Desautels...it was tough work, but we managed to get through it!)
Tonight is the dinner at Artisanale, which sold out last week. Apologies for those trying to get tickets this week...rest assured we will have more events like this one in the very near future.
Monday evening is our monthly gathering, still at Latino's at 6:00 p.m. If you're planning on attending, please plan to purchase a beverage, a snack, dinner, or whatever, as we are meeting during business hours and taking up seats :-)
Slow Food Guelph will be attending Feast of Fields this year! This is an incredible event, I've attended many times over the years. You love food, great wine and beer, and the outdoors - plan to be at Everdale on Sunday, September 7th from 1-5 p.m. More info at http://feastoffields.org/ or http://www.everdale.org/node/102. I'm looking for volunteers to assist on that day, so if you're interested, please email me.
Slow Food Guelph now has a FaceBook Page. I've opted to set up a "page" rather than a "group", as I think this newer format works better for us. Check it out at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Slow-Food-Guelph/17537008585?ref=ts
Become a fan, and help us add content to the site!
Last thing, peak season for strawberries and rhubarb will be over before you know it...I hope you're all taking advantage and canning or freezing for the rest of the year.
Drop me a line if you're looking for different ways to prepare and store these things. (I had the opportunity to experiment with rhubarb based cocktails last week with Borealis Grille's bar wizard Court Desautels...it was tough work, but we managed to get through it!)
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