Sausage Competition

Just to remind you all that the Sausage Competition is coming up in April. Date to be confirmed.This was one of our star events last year with over 16 sausages to sample not to mention the gorgeous black pudding and pork pies.

Our committee member Julie Quenault from Classic Herd in St Peter's was the worthy winner last year but once again it's up for grabs.

All local entrants. Locally made and locally eaten, down with those excellent hosts at the Royal Yacht Club, St. Aubin.

Any one can enter and we are hoping to get a Polish entrant for the first time this year. Want to know how to make them? Here's a few tips from the Guardian.
If you are interested at joining us there or want to enter your sausage then just drop an email to rod.bryans@live.com or phone me on 515141. Or maybe you are just interested in joining SlowFood. Either way we would love to hear from you.

Sea Food

For those of you who like to kept up to speed on what is happening as it happens fisherman Kevin Holden has his own website and blog http://jerseyfreshfish.com/

He's currently at sea wallowing just off Sark with a catch of scallops and he's now focussing on fish before returning this week-end.

Great blog well worth a look.

Cafe Spice

The date for the Indian Night is March 25th, 7.00 for 7.30. Cost is £15 for members and £17 for non-members. Bargain.

Sam has devised a special menu for Slow Food with locally sourced ingredients where he can. He's going to explain the cooking methods and ingredients used for each course. So that we have a greater understanding and knowledge of what it takes to produce at home what has become the nations favourite cuisine.

This event is open to members and non-members so bring a friend.... I look forward to seeing you there. Spread the word.

Indian Food Night

March heralds an authentic Indian/Bangldeshi treat at the Cafe Spice in Kensington place. Date to be advised. Probably a Tuesday or a Wednesday night.

Sam will be providing some dishes created especially for Slowfood and advising us of the ingredients and the methods of cooking. Locally sourced ingredients will be used.

This will be one of those rare opportunities to understand why Curry has become the UK's favourite national dish.

Anyone wishing to attend, even if you are not a member but are interested in joining, just email me on rod.bryans@live.com

BBC Food Programme - Gastronomy

Sheila Dillon (Food Programme) visits Slow Food's University of Gastronomy and discusses the Legacy left by Brillat-Savarin.

Jamie has his say....

Jamie Oliver attended TED and committed himself to changing hearts and minds. Whatever your feelings about Jamie he is nothing if not tenacious and if he effects change in the way we all deal with food then more power to him.

His TED wish  - "I wish for your help to create a strong, sustainable movement to educate every child about food, inspire families to cook again and empower people everywhere to fight obesity" although directed to an American audience should have resonance in any corner of the world where fast food is served to our kids.

Visit by the Director of the Fairtrade Foundation Harriet Lamb

Harriet Lamb M.B.E., Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation, will be visiting Jersey on 12th. and 13th. January 2010 to meet local supporters and address a series of meetings about the remarkable achievements of the Foundation as it celebrates its 15th. year of operation. Her busy programme will include a sixth form seminar, business meetings and a special Fairtrade Dinner.

Fairtrade has grown at an incredible rate in recent times, with sales in the U.K. in 2008 reaching £712 million, an increase of 43% over the previous year. The economic downturn does not appear to be affecting current levels of support, and indeed there are great expectations of the Foundation realising its ultimate goal of U.K. sales exceeding £1 billion, within the foreseeable future.

A number of announcements in recent times by multi-national companies, starting with Tate and Lyle and later Starbucks, and this year by Cadbury and by Nestle, have transformed the Fairtrade landscape and promise a quantum leap in opportunity for farmers in developing countries to work their way out of poverty.
It is exciting to observe how these major companies are now proud to display their Fairtrade credentials on their flagship products. We learned at the Fairtrade Foundation Supporters Conference in October in London that in each case the decision to change to Fairtrade sourced raw materials for their leading brands was based on sound commercial evidence and feedback from customer surveys.

One key message from the conference was “If you can, buy local, if you can’t, buy Fairtrade”. Fairtrade Jersey (the Jersey Fairtrade Island Group) is pleased to endorse that advice and we encourage any cafes, restaurants, hotels, shops, businesses and organisations, schools and churches, to make a New Year resolution to join the Fairtrade Island community at the earliest opportunity.

Harriet Lamb will attend a special Fairtrade Dinner at the Town Hall on Wednesday 13th. January 2010 where she will speak about recent dramatic events in Fairtrade development. She will also present certificates to organisations that are proud to support Fairtrade, and everyone who has an interest in learning more and attending this event may obtain tickets (£15.00) and information from Ed Le Quesne on edleq@jerseymail.co.uk or on 730131.

Tony Allchurch, chairman.  tony@allchurch.je or on 767593

A Mobile Mobile

This has nothing to do with Slow Food but it's Christmas and it made me smile...http://vimeo.com/8118831

Pot Luck

Just to remind everyone.... We have a Pot Luck night on the 10th at Manor Farm, Julia Quenaults home in St Peters. You find it if coming from town, turning right at the main junction, heading down to St Georges school. It's then the farm directly on your right you can't miss it.

Any problems just call me on 515141 during the day.

This is just a simple get together to meet and chat with members whilst sampling the delights of our own labours.Hope to see you there.

Rod.

Quick Bread Recipe.....Dan Lepard

Decided we needed some bread and wanted a quick result. Dan's flash bread. His recipes have never disappointed and this was right on the button.

It's easy. I recommend you have a go.

I was also using out of date flour so result. Good crumb, good taste.
Thanks Dan.