Slow Food in Israel


“Preparations are underway for the worldwide celebration of Slow Food’s 20th anniversary and the Terra Madre (mother earth) day. The events will take place in various cities and locations around the globe next Thursday, December 10th.”

Preparations are underway for the worldwide celebration of Slow Food’s 20th anniversary and the Terra Madre (mother earth) day. The events will take place in various cities and locations around the globe next Thursday, December 10th. For those who haven't heard of it before, Slow Food is an international eco-gastronomical organization which was founded in 1989 by Italian journalist, Mr. Carlo Petrini. Slow Food is more than just an organization; it is an idea, a way of living and a way of eating. It is a global, grassroots movement with thousands of members around the world that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the conservation of the environment we live in. The members are organized in hundreds of local chapters, or conviviums, worldwide.

While many people believe that Slow Food was founded to oppose fast food, the aims of the organization are actually much different. While members of Slow Food are indeed opposed to fast food on concept, they don’t look at McDonalds or Pizza Hut as the enemy. The goal of Slow Food is to oppose the fast track of life, a state brought about through rapid industrialization and modernization. Fast life has led to the disappearance of thousands of unique local gastronomic traditions, food varieties and has completely changed our culinary habits.

On the 10th and 11th of December Slow Food conviviums throughout Israel will take part in the global celebration of traditional and local food. Slow Food coordinator in Israel, Rafram Chadad mentioned that "there is a growing interest in bio-diversity and traditional cuisine. It is much more than just a trend" says Chadad. "It makes much more sense to eat and shop locally and it usually tastes better too; hundreds of traditional food-stuffs, dishes and even animal breeds have disappeared over the years. If we all take a step back, slow down and lead a more responsible and fair culinary life, I'm sure a lot would change".

Terra Madre Events in Israel:
Dinner & Discussions about Slow Food
When: December, 10th 2009, 20:00
Location: Eucalyptus restaurant, HuZot Hayotzer, Jerusalem
The dinner will be prepared by 'Chefs for Peace', a group of chefs from different ethnic and religious backgrounds, who hope to bring people together and bridge differences while serving excellent local cuisine. The event will also include discussions about the slow food movement and concept.

Foe further information and registration, please call: 02.624.4331
Market Tastings
When: 11 December 2009, 13:30
Location: Mahane Yehuda Market, the square off the 'Iraqi Market', Jerusalem
This event is organized by the Jerusalem convivium. It will include tastings from the local kitchen, prepared by chefs Moshe Bason (Eucalyptus) and Elran Shraflar (Azura).

A Slow Food event will also be taking place in Tel Aviv. At the 'Earth Market' at the Tel Aviv Port on Terra Madre Day you will be able to find unique fruits and vegetables, fresh produce and Slow Food books. The event will include lectures about Terra Madre and Slow Food as well as cooking demonstrations by chefs using local ingredients. Participating chefs include: Eyal Lavie (Rokach 37), Ayelet Latovich (Beita Café) and Husam Abbas (El-Babur).
Terra Madre Day at the Tel Aviv Farmer's Market
When: December 11th, 2009. 10:00-13:00
Location: Tel Aviv Port, Havakook Street