Looking for input on Slow Food

[GmeNGrmetSales]

I had the priviledge of attending a slow food dinner last night in St. Paul, MN. The food was wonderful. I am thinking of joinming the movement and wanted feedback from other chef's and purveyors as to what they think of the Slow Food Movement and what they stand for and whether it is a good decision to join this organization. Their membership worldwide is about 88,000 with 12,000 members in the US. Looking for input!

[phatch]

There is a search feature for these sorts of requests.

Here is the result

http://cheftalkcafe.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13095

Phil

[chef911]

Nothing better than a nice slow cooked Boeuf Bourguigon



Just trying someting out

[Glenn]

I looked at he "slow food" forum. It seems like a bunch of of elitist snobs with lots of free time on their hands. It also contained lots of typical liberal drivel and nonsense.

Examples include their promoting of diversity and global collaberation. But, at the same time, they also say to eat local food. Which is it? Eat local food, or eat diverse and global food? It's pretty hard for someone from Minnesota or New Hampshire to eat locally grown pineapples por other tropical foods. If they only eat local, it won't be very diverse or global. Sounds like just typical euphemous drivel.

Yep, count me as a NO vote for the slow food crowd.

Glenn

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[shroomgirl]

It's all a matter of attitude.....if your in an area that does not produce local year round, eat local in season...at least check into it and see what bounty is in your hood. That does not mean give up on international delights....it's a balancing act. As to if you should join, see what events your chapter is planning....does it appear to be a fun time.

[Devotay]

Geez, Glenn have you got it wrong. Still, I'm not surprised, though. It is a common misconception that Slow Food is just a bunch of yuppie foodies stuffing their craws with foie gras, and I confess that there is a hedonistic side to the movement, but those who see only that are taking quite a myopic view.

Here in Iowa for example, we have a strong school garden program that actually is integrated with the curriculum and the food service of a public high school. We also hold an annual festival, called Field to Family, the whole purpose of which is to draw closer connections between the community and its local sustainable farmers and artisan food producers. That's just a little of what we do. Taste workshops in elementary schools, farmers market demos, local brewery tours, I could go on and on and on.

On a larger scale, Slow Food USA has maintained the Ark USA, an academic catalog of foods in danger of extinction due to the industrialization of the food system, and the Presidia, which takes a more active role in promoting those products (the Heritage Turkey program is a shining example of that). Slow Food takes no money for its work selling those turkeys - it all goes to the producers. Again using Iowa as an example, Slow Food Iowa helped move 150 American Bronze turkeys for a local family farm last year. Nationwide we moved over 15,000

On the even larger scale, Slow Food International has created the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity, The University of Gastronomic Science, and Terra Madre.

So you see, from top to bottom, local to global, Slow Food does a lot more than preaching to the choir and patting each other on the back over a glass of Chardonnay. Please take a look at the links I've provided here. They'll give you a more complete picture.

And your politics shouldn't really enter into it. I count among our Iowa members one of my dearest friends, who without a doubt would classify himself as conservative/libertarian. He and I may disagree on Social Security Privatization, but that should never preclude us from working together on the myriad food issues where we share a common view.

GmeNGrmetSales, join up. Slow Food could always use another powerful voice to affect positive change for the food world, and you would enjoy the benefits of membership and of knowing your working toward a great common cause.

[Glenn]

<<..."And your politics shouldn't really enter into it."...>>

Devotay,
I never posted my politics in that posting. I commented on the politics shown by the Slow Food web site. I have varied political views, depending on the subject, and even my friends can't figure out my politics. I don't fit any particular mold of liberal or conservative. But, the slow food web-site seems one-sided. (It's members aren't necessarily one-sided, but the philosophy on it's web-site seems that way).

You also stated:
"It is a common misconception that Slow Food is just a bunch of yuppie foodies stuffing their craws with foie gras, and I confess that there is a hedonistic side to the movement,"

Given your statement that it is common to perceive Slow Food that way, I'm obviusly not the only who perceives them in that light. Who is at fault for that? If this is common, it sounds like the Slow Food web-site needs to be modified to give a clearer understanding of Slow Food's philosophy. As of now, the Slow Food web site gives a very elitist (and many would interpret, leftist) image.

Thanks for the other links. I'll try to read them tomorrow to learn more about Slow Food.

Thanks.

Glenn

[Devotay]

Originally Posted by Glenn

<<..."And your politics shouldn't really enter into it."...>>

Devotay,
I never posted my politics in that posting.

Well. yeah ya did, by saying

Originally Posted by Glenn

It also contained lots of typical liberal drivel and nonsense.

you make your point of view pretty clear

Originally Posted by Glenn

You also stated:
"It is a common misconception that Slow Food is just a bunch of yuppie foodies stuffing their craws with foie gras, and I confess that there is a hedonistic side to the movement,"

Given your statement that it is common to perceive Slow Food that way, I'm obviusly not the only who perceives them in that light. Who is at fault for that?

Well, it's our fault for not making the reality of what we do more plain, but it's also your fault for judging us on your first impressions of a website rather than on what we do.

Originally Posted by Glenn

If this is common, it sounds like the Slow Food web-site needs to be modified to give a clearer understanding of Slow Food's philosophy. As of now, the Slow Food web site gives a very elitist (and many would interpret, leftist) image.

See, there you go again. I know plenty of elitist ring-wingers. Also please quote the things you find "elitist" on our site. Just because we have some views of what's good and what's bad, that does not make us "elitist," merely opinionated.

[Glenn]

Originally Posted by Glenn
It also contained lots of typical liberal drivel and nonsense.

-- you make your point of view pretty clear...

And if it contained right wing nut stuff, I would have pointed that out, too. So, what are my politics? Pointing out political leanings of others' web-sites does not mean I stated MY politics. On another site, I pointed out that Jerry Falwell is a right-wing nut. So, did I state that I am a liberal? I have pointed out liberal drivel and right-wing nuts. Where do I fall politically?

As I said, my politics have varied views, and if you can figure them out from a couple sentences I posted, you've accomplished more than friends of mine have in several years.

You also said,
"..it's our fault for not making the reality of what we do more plain, but it's also your fault for judging us on your first impressions of a website rather than on what we do."

From what you said in an earlier posting,
"It is a common misconception that Slow Food is just a bunch of yuppie foodies stuffing their craws with foie gras..."

- It sounds like it's the fault of others, too, for judging on first impressions. In fact, accordingto you, it's "COMMON" for people to misconceive Slow Food. Lots of us out there are at fault for misconceived first impressions.

At least I'm not alone. I'm out there with those others who misconceive the philosophy of Slow Food. We'll all try harder not to mis-conceive the website.

Remeber to keep in mind that the original poster in this topic asked,
"....what they think of the Slow Food Movement"

I gave my honest answer of what I think about it (at least my initial impressions). I tend to be frank. I don't blow sunshine up people's butt when they ask for opinions. Hopefully my comments, although a bit harsh, were constructive so that the point gets across that their website gives bad (first) impressions to some. I fact, it is "common" for people to misconceive Slow Food, according to you.

Sorry to say I haven't read your links yet. I had a long day, and it's late now. I promise I'll read them.

Peace and love.

Glenn

[kuan]

I don't think discussing websites and first impressions has anything to do with cook's corner.

[Devotay]

Originally Posted by kuan

I don't think discussing websites and first impressions has anything to do with cook's corner.

Perhaps not, Kuan, but it does have to do with what I felt were unfair characterizations to Steven by Glenn of an organization that does a lot of worthwhile work, and the point of the thread was Steven asking for opinions. Glenn gave his, I'm giving mine

Originally Posted by Glenn

So, did I state that I am a liberal? I have pointed out liberal drivel and right-wing nuts. Where do I fall politically?

Well, somewhere in thge middle then, I would suppose, but the term "drivel" has rather plain, negative conotations that are unfair and unfounded.

Originally Posted by Glenn

You also said,
"..it's our fault for not making the reality of what we do more plain, but it's also your fault for judging us on your first impressions of a website rather than on what we do."

From what you said in an earlier posting,
"It is a common misconception that Slow Food is just a bunch of yuppie foodies stuffing their craws with foie gras..."

- It sounds like it's the fault of others, too, for judging on first impressions. In fact, accordingto you, it's "COMMON" for people to misconceive Slow Food. Lots of us out there are at fault for misconceived first impressions.

yes, but my point was directed to you, not them.

Please quote some of the aspects of the website or the movement that you find elitist, objectionable, or "drivel"

[cape chef]

Hey guys,

While I understand your passions, I suggest you take the flame going on here offline, or by PM. You can also debate (with respect to the site and it's members)in The Late night Cafe.

[Devotay]

You got it CC, new thread is http://www.cheftalkcafe.com/forums/s...078#post109078 hope to see you there.

[cape chef]

K,

Just tried to PM you, but your box is full. When you get a chance, delete so I can talk to you.
Peace
CC