2010 Fish Festival

Well it's over and everyone seemed to have had a terrific time.
There was loads to see and do for both kids and adults and plenty of local fish to sample. The stalls where heaped with lobster and scallops.

A massive Paella was a winner with the locals.

There were local brewers selling cider and local ales. Liberation had brewed a special lager called Jack Spratt just for the occasion.

Emma Carlton of "Sweet Inspirations", who has recently just been awarded three gold stars from the "Taste of Britain" awards for her Sticky Toffee Pudding was selling her delicious cakes and pastries.

Slow Food had a stand to spread the word and gain some new members..

Over 9,000 visited the event and sampled some of the best food and drink this Island has to offer. All of this was put together by an industry in decline.

Day after day these guys go out in all kinds of weather to fish these coastal waters, plentiful with all manner of fish, and don't really get the poilitical support they deserve.

That said because of this event everyone had a better understanding of what Jersey fishermen do to provide such great treats for us all.

Well done to them and everyone concerned and in particular to Don Thompson who had the original vision and the skills to make it happen.

Jersey Fish Festival

Saturday 17th July starting at 10.00am down on Victoria Pier is this years Jersey Fish Festival. Only the second time it has been run... 
They have some great food, plenty of local beer and and a full set of bands playing. Without doubt this is going to be a terrific event. Don Thompson and his cohort of helpers, Natalie, Steph, Doug and pals will be there to meet and greet you all. Look for the Crew shirts...Look out for the Pirates...

There's Robbie's sculling race, a flyover, Tina will have loads for the kids to make and paint, sand to play in, a touch tank loaded with local fish, food stalls, best dressed boat competition and a blessing for the fleet by the Dean of Jersey.

A Water Carnival, a boat race  and a "Man Powered Flight" competition all capped at 10.30pm by a massive firework display.

So as you can see you won't be disappointed. Slow Food will be there to talk to anyone interested in joining. The more people join, support our cause, the more we can do...

Guardian Slow Food Article.

If you would like to read about Slow Food and Carlo Pettrini's thoughts on it or ask questions follow the link.

The West Show

Coming soon the next Slow Food adventure will find us manning a stand at this years West Show on the 10th and the 11th of July up at St. Peters.

Quickly followed by the Jersey Fish Festival on the 17th of July.

Come along and share with us some of the best produce found in our fields or from around our shores.

Taste the Passion.

Island Spring Cattle, Rose and Flower Show and World Cheese Awards.

Hello,

Just to remind you all of the RJAHS event on the 12th-13th June (Saturday and Sunday) up at their home in Trinity. As there is no Foire De Jersey this year here is a golden opportunity to catch some of the best that Jersey has to offer.

All of the cheeses, of which there are over 80 different varieties, have been created from Jersey milk.

Genuine Jersey cheese from the Classic Herd has now gone national and can now be found adorning the tables of  Mitchell & Butler's fine dining country Pubs.

Both the Cheese Awards and the Rose and Flower Show are inside whilst in the Showground we have the cattle. There is also a mass of other things to see especially for the kids. An animal farm, Shire horses and a troupe of Circus entertainers allowing the kids to join in.

Slow Food has a stand there. So if you have any prospective members and they would like to know what we are about here is a good place to start.

The Normandie Market will be up there. So if you have time on your hands, kids to entertain or you're keen on cheese get yourself up there. Everyone is welcome.

Jersey Royals - Bartletts

Slow Food visited Bartletts on Saturday and were amazed at the level of investment and support they have given the local community in providing this sterling operation.

£14 million for a seasonal product subject to all manner of prevailing problems, as the current drought has exemplified, is a serious commitment to Island produce.

Every element of the process has been thoroughly tried and tested. Apart from sorting and packing for all the major UK retailers its main role is to cleanse the spuds and keep them cool to retain that classic flavour we all love and expect from a Jersey Royal.

The water used is rain or bore hole derived. It's also recycled with any solid matter being distributed back to the field.

Even the seasoned members of our party found it difficult to raise any points of criticism. So much time and effort has been spent on consultation and making sure that everyone, producers in particular, was involved that the result is pretty much the best you could expect.

Tasting the product cinched the idea that reducing the time from getting the product from field to plate has proved a success. Bowls of steaming spuds were eagerly devoured and the whole event was declared a tasty success.

Slow Fish Goes Live

There is a new site associated with Slow Food appropriately called Slow Fish.as you will see it carries all the same ethos and reasoning but with a marine theme.

What you may not know is Slow Food Jersey is heavily involved in this years Jersey Fish Festival.

It's a one day event on the 17th of July highlighting the exploits of our local fleet, engaging and educating the public about our local catch and having fun.

There will be food tasting, live bands and a Viviers touch tank. (Pictured above is a Chancre Crab scuttling about in the Viviers.) A sculling race, an RNLI display, a fly over, a fishing boat race and to cap it all off a fireworks display.

Put it in your diary and come along.

The Great Sausage Event.

As usual we had a great night. 18 different sausages and a complete new Pie section.

Everyone was completely sausaged out by the end. The trouble is with so many entries you occasionally had to double back to check if you had given a correct score. So 18 tastes became considerably more. Add to that the pies and a sweet course of delicious cakes cooked by Emma's mum and we were suitably stuffed.

But the outright winner in 1st and 2nd place was Julia Quenault who has now won three years on the trot the coveted trophy and the honour of being accredited the Best Banger maker on the Island.

If anyone is in doubt get your self up to the Classic Herd Farm shop at St Peters and taste for yourself.

It's great to know there is so much choice and John Hackett does provide a classic opponent.

The best pie was a Steak and Ale pie and as soon as I know who created it I will post it on the blog.

Next up Jersey Royals....

Sausage Night....

Dear Slow Food Member, Non Members and Interested Parties,
The Great Sausage Competition - put your own entry in this year and compete against the best sausages in Jersey.
Thank you all for your great responses to my last email. As a result our event at Cafe Spice on Thursday 25th March was a great success. Thank you to everyone who attended to make this such a successful evening.
April Event: Thursday 29th April we have our sausage competition. Now with a new class for pastries: sausage rolls, pasties and pork pies alike.
Details: Open to members and non members - Location: Royal CI Yacht Club, Le Mont du Boulevard, St Brelade - Time: 7:00 for 7:30 Cost: £15 members £17 non members (this includes all the tastings for the competition, a main meal and coffee not to mention a great atmosphere). There will be a no charge for kids for the competition so please feel free to bring them along (kiddies menu will be available) - To book please send request and money to Rosie at Cheriton, Manor Park Rd, La Pouquelaye, St Helier, JE2 3GJ. Email: r.boleat@localdial.co
Please reply to Rosie by the 26 of April so we know numbers.
We are still looking for entries for the competition this year so whether you are a chef or just handy in the kitchen and fancy your chances please give me a call on 07797 725 325 for further information as we would love to have your entries
Thank you all again and hope to see you at one of our future events.
Many thanks
Emma
Miss E Hefford - Chairman Slow Food Jersey

Sausage Tasting

Just to remind everyone about the Sausage tasting event. It's on the 29th of this month down at St Aubins RCI Yacht Club. Just across from the Old Court House. Parking is always a problem so best to park further up and amble down.

Anyone can come along. Members can bring guests.

This was a highly attended event last year so come early. It starts at 7.00pm. Get a drink, take in the terrific view and wait for the contest to begin. There were 16 varietie's last year and this year there could be even more.