Slow down and savour, we learn all about the Slow Food Movement in the Southern Highlands
Okay first things first, nobody is asking you to get the crockpot out [although we do love a good stew], the slow food movement is actually about something else and we’ve got the rundown all about it.
In a world that’s all about fast food and quick fixes, the Slow Food Movement is like a breath of fresh air. It’s all about celebrating local flavours, traditional cooking, and sustainable farming. Started back in 1986 in Italy, it’s a global push to slow down and really savour our meals. Jill Dyson is one of the friendly locals leading the charge in the Southern Highlands, working hard to spread the Slow Food love and make it a big part of our community.
As Jill explains, “It’s an international movement. It started in 1986 in Italy when McDonald’s was going to open up near the Spanish Steps. A food journalist, Carlo Petrini, said, ‘We’ve got to stop this fast food. We want everyone to get back to slow eating.’”
The Slow Food Movement is all about enjoying real, locally sourced, and sustainable food. It’s not about slow cooking; it’s about everyone having access to food that’s good for them, good for the farmers, and good for the planet. How wonderful does that sound?
“It’s all about eating real food straight from the ground, not pre-packaged things, and enjoying fresh, local eats,” says Jill.
Here in the Highlands, we’ve got the amazing non-profit group Slow Food Southern Highlands, totally embracing everything Slow Food. Jill is an active committee member, and the group is thriving with loads of events that draw folks from all around the Highlands.
“We usually do an event once a month, and we have tickets for members and non-members,” Jill says.
Oh, and PSA: Members get discounts on events, which helps support the non-profit’s organising efforts.
Jill filled us in on some of the recent events organised by Slow Food Southern Highlands, and they sound amazing! Picture visits to local farms, cooking workshops, and themed lunches celebrating regional food traditions. So cool!
One standout event was a trip to a local olive farm, where 40 people gathered to learn about olive growing and enjoy a tasting. Another hit was a garlic workshop hosted in Bundanoon. Attendees got hands-on with garlic cooking techniques and recipes- yum!
The Slow Food Movement in the Southern Highlands also loves celebrating international food traditions. They even hosted a Lemon Festival lunch inspired by an annual event in Italy. An Italian chef created a menu where every course featured lemons, showing off how versatile and flavorful the humble lemon can actually be.
Another fun event was a French lunch for Bastille Day at a local French restaurant in Bowral.
“We’re all about supporting local businesses while celebrating how delicious Slow Food can be,” Jill adds.
These events aren’t just about enjoying a meal but also connecting with the awesome people behind the food businesses in the Highlands.
Locals loving locals- aw yeah!
“Slow Food tries to back and encourage people to support local growers, local producers, and people who grow with integrity,” Jill says.
The Slow Food Movement is all about more than just delish meals…it’s about building community, backing local farmers, and living a life that values quality over quick fixes.
As Jill puts it, “Slow food is all about three things: good, clean, and fair. The food should be flavoursome and good quality; clean means it’s made without hurting the environment; and fair ensures everyone gets a good deal and fair pay”
In a world that can feel rushed and disconnected, the Slow Food Movement in the Southern Highlands is a proper chill pill. It’s all about hitting pause, enjoying every bite, and making the most of local produce and producers.
Want to get involved? Joining the Slow Food Movement in the Southern Highlands is an awesome idea. They’re on Facebook and Instagram, where they share updates and event details. You don’t need to be a member to attend one of their events but, if you are interested in finding out more about membership you can also email the group at info@slowfoodsouthernhighlands.com.au.
Slow Food Southern Highlands has an interesting-sounding event coming up this August where you can visit Kieltys Irish Sauces in Mittagong. These artisan sauces give a nod to traditional Irish recipes and are a huge hit. Padraic Kielty, the genius behind them, works with local growers to craft them in small batches and having got to taste them at local markets ourselves, we can confirm they’re delish.
Padraic will share his journey and how he got to where he is today. There’ll be a demo on mustard-making, tastings of the yummy products, and even a bottle to take home. Padraic’s sauces have snagged multiple awards globally so we reckon this sounds great!
Find out more about the event here.
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