Take time out to enjoy slow food

IT’S the antithesis of fast food, explains Phillipa Hughes, the local contact for the worldwide Slow Food movement.

"CARLO Petrini started it in response to a McDonalds built at the foot of the Spanish steps in Rome. It is all about food culture and heritage, about the sharing of good, local food carefully prepared with family and friends, lobbying the EU to protect artisan producers from excessive legislation, and protecting endangered foods or food varieties which may be lost to us all."

Slow Food has now spread to 45 countries, with over 100,000 members. In Britain we have just over 1,000 members, but then we only started two years ago. The local group, kept in focus by Phillipa Hughes at the Holne Chase Hotel, near Ashburton, holds slow food trails around the area.

"It is one of the few organisations of food groups for both producers and consumers," says Phillipa.

"The movement has now started a University of Gastronomy in Italy, and organises food-related festivals throughout Europe, much like our local Celebration of Local Food in October. The Holne Chase Hotel will be hosting a fast slow food trail.

"We are always looking for new members; it costs £35 per year, for which you get an informative magazine and a UK newsletter."

The slow movement has spread beyond the confines of the kitchen and dining room and there are now slow towns. The arbitrators look at things like cheap parking, large pedestrian areas, and cafes serving local foods. Bude, Ashburton and Dartmoor have been nominated for the title.

"It is not related to how quickly you cook," says Phillipa. "Slow food can be flash-fried, stir-fried, or not cooked at all, such as preparing a salad. It is the care you take, the healthy ingredients you use, and the fact that most of the food has been grown or purchased from within 30 miles that makes the difference."




WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Anyone wanting to join the Slow Food movement, or just to know more about it, can ring Phillipa on 01364 631471, email philippa.hughes@holne-chase.co.uk, or visit www.slowfood.com, or www.holne-chase.co.uk.