General News

Terra Madre (Mother Earth) Day Celebration Dinner

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The official date for Terra Madre Day 2022 is 10 December and the theme for Slow Food International this year is Food “Regeneraction”.

To celebrate, Slow Food Saddleback is planning a casual Italian meal the night before.

When:  Friday 9 December at 5.30pm

Where: The Kiama Bridge Club, adjacent to Bonaira Playing Fields, Girrawheen Avenue, Kiama.  We will be under the AFL verandah so if it’s chilly, bring a jumper! If wet, we will go inside.

This is a BYO drinks event.

Cost:  Slow Food Members $40, non Members $50

To book:  TryBooking: https://www.trybooking.com/CEKLC

Membership News:
For those of you who have received Membership renewal notices it would be appreciated if you could renew asap and therefore be a Member before Terra Madre Day

Snail Of Approval Awards
The recipients will be notified of their awards next week and we hope to be able to present the Business Development Grants at the Terra Madre dinner.
All our recipients are outstanding examples of the Slow Food ethos and I will send you an email next week with all the details.

AGM 2022 and Membership News

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At the Annual General Meeting on 19 October 2022, the following office bearers were elected:

Convivium Leader:  Celia Wade
Secretary:  Fiona Kennedy
Treasurer:   Rhonni Garven
Committee Members:  Judith Ball, Carolyn Evans, Kaye Turnbull, Roslyn Markezic

The meeting then unanimously accepted a proposal to streamline the payment of annual membership fees by making all fees payable on 30 June each year (currently memberships are due in almost every month of the year).  The membership to Italy will be paid for all memberships in July each year.

To transition to the new system, the following adjustments will apply:

    • Those members whose fees are due up until December 2022 will be offered the option of paying 50% membership, with membership due for renewal in June 2023.  Members will be asked to email Slow Food Saddleback (Celia Wade, Leader info@slowfoodsaddleack.com.au)  for advice on the amount of payment needed.  Of course, Slow Food Saddleback would be delighted if members choose to pay full membership in order to support our key activities.
    • Memberships which fall due January to June, 2023 will be deferred until 30th June 2023 when all memberships will be due.  If membership is due January to June, and members would be more comfortable, an adjustment of their membership can be requested (email info@slowfoodsaddleack.com.au) to reflect the loss of the months where they would otherwise not be a financial member.
    • New members during the year will pay proportionally depending on joining date. The leader will acknowledge their membership and welcome them but they will not have membership to Italy until the following July.
    • For those members who have taken out a 3 year membership, the adjustment will be made when their membership falls due.
    • For the 2022/2023 year only, there will be a payment to Italy in January 2023 and then full membership payment in July 2023.

During this transition time members may not receive regular newsletters from Italy. These will be available on the website.

This change will significantly reduce the background work in payment reminders and organization as well as payments to Italy.

Growing and using fish at home

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A special dinner event to learn about growing fish at home.

When:  Friday 11 November 2022, at 5pm

Where: at the home of Barb and Omar Khalifa, between Berry and Gerroa. Details for parking and actual address will be supplied after booking.

This is a Slow Food Saddleback Members only event as numbers are strictly limited – Tickets $40.

To book:  Try Booking: https://www.trybooking.com/CDTVX

The Khalifas have been growing trout at home for their consumption for several years, very much subject to the weather conditions! They also have a sustainable vegetable garden, and we will be lucky enough to sample fish and some garden produce at dinner, following an introduction to the fish farming by Omar.

Champagne will be offered on arrival, but please BYO with dinner.

BOOK EARLY

For the Diary: Our final event for the year will be held to celebrate Terra Madre Day on Friday, December 9 at 5pm at The Bridge Club in Kiama, and hopefully outside in the Bonaira Reserve, under the AFL verandah – an Italian celebration meal.

Slow Food Saddleback 2022 Annual General Meeting and Dinner

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At Silica Restaurant

AGM Date and Time:

5.30pm Wednesday 19 October 2022

Venue:

Silica Restaurant
Manning Street, adjacent to Coronation Park, Kiama

Dinner will follow the AGM, starting at 6.30

All Members are encouraged to attend, to provide feedback and support for your Committee.

An Agenda will be distributed on the night and Nominations for the Committee remain open until the AGM, forms are available on the website: www.slowfoodsaddleback.com.au

We would love some new faces on the Committee, get involved!!
If you are only attending the AGM please email info@slowfoodsaddleback.com.au.

Following the AGM we will be enjoying a meal prepared by Luke and the team at Silica,

The AGM is a Slow Food Saddleback Members Event only, but partners are welcome to attend the Dinner if they are not Members of Slow Food.

I look forward to welcoming you to the AGM and to the dinner that will follow.

Download the 2022 AGM Nomination Form

Celia Wade – Leader, Slow Food Saddleback

Indian workshop and meal

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Come to our Indian workshop and meal led by Reena Kumar, well known Jamberoo identity, and her colleague Archana Nakhate

Tea and coffee will be provided and if you want to add wine/beer please bring your own.  Dessert will be enjoyed before we finish our afternoon.

Time:  midday, Saturday 16 July, please be prompt, we will have lots to do together.

Place:  Jamberoo Youth Hall,  Allowrie Street, Jamberoo,
(access from behind the IGA or the adjoining park)

Tickets:  available at Try Booking https://www.trybooking.com//CAREY

Cost:     Slow Food members – $45, non Members – $55.

We will have a small raffle on the day so please bring some cash with you, we want to launch our Snail of Approval awards after the School Holidays and need to raise a bit of finance for expenses associated with the event.

If you can’t make the workshop and would like to obtain raffle tickets please contact Celia at jamberoo@icloud.com for details from 3 July onwards

Dinner at Miss Arda

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Slow Food Saddleback members and friends shared a wonderful meal at Miss Arda in Kiama on Wednesday 22 June.  The menu included breads and dips and baked feta to start with followed by the most delicious slow roasted pomegranate lamb shoulder and vegetables for the main course and assorted baklava and kanafeh for dessert.

 

The Farmed Table @ The Pavilion Kiama

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Exclusive Luncheon by Brendan Cato
Sunday 8th May 12pm – 3pm
Glass of bubbly on arrival
Entertainment by Mark Crotti
Tickets & Menu available via Eventbrite
https://pavilionluncheonbrendancato.eventbrite.com.au 

For Further Information visit http://www.thepavilionkiama.com.au
or Ph: 42 321419

The Pavilion Kiama, Brendan Cato and Slow Food Saddleback are teaming up as a part of the Revel in May festival.  You will enjoy an exclusive five course luncheon experience prepared by our own master chef Brendan Cato prior to jetting off overseas to advance his career.

Guests will have the opportunity to ask questions and delve into Brendan’s extensive knowledge of the food industry.  During the lunch Brendan will be our guest speaker for a light hearted Q and A.

The luncheon will showcase foods from boutique producers, local farmers and artisans.  Brendan will also have his own wine available to purchase on the day to compliment your meal.  You will be entertained by Mark Crotti whilst taking in the breathtaking views overlooking Surf Beach Kiama and staying warm and dry at The Pavilion Kiama.

Why not spoil yourself or the family with an enjoyable Sunday lunch on Mother’s Day.  Enjoy a complimentary glass of sparkling on arrival.

Tables and seating will be allocated once ticket sales cease and at the discretion of the venue.

When purchasing tickets please note maximum table numbers are 10 people per table.

Date:        Sunday 8 May
Time:       12pm-3pm
Venue:    The Pavilion Kiama
Cost:       $127 (a $10 discount for Slow Food Saddleback Members will be applied using an exclusive discount code: Slowfood10)
Bookings:   https://pavilionluncheonbrendancato.eventbrite.com.au

Local farm tour and lunch in Jambaroo

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THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED TILL LATER IN THE YEAR DUE TO THE FARM REMAINING COMPLETELY SODDEN AND MOST OF THE VEGETABLE CROPS BECOMING ROTTEN DUE TO THE RECENT RAINS AND FLOODS.

Come and meet Lauren and James (the New Growers Jambaroo) on their vegetable farm in Jerrara Road, Jamberoo on Saturday 26 March at 11am.

We will meet at the farm for the tour and then go into Jamberoo for a pasta lunch, prepared by your Committee members.If anyone would like to contribute to lunch, please contact Celia Wade on info@slowfoodsaddleback.com.au.
We will also serve tea and coffee, and dessert.
Please bring your own drinks.

The New Growers Jamberoo will tell us their story, and their plans to be sustainable farmers producing only the healthiest produce, and the trials and tribulations of all this rain!

The farm is just up from the substation, where there is plenty of parking. Parking is also available along the road next to the farm.

Lunch will be in The Jamberoo Youth Hall in the main Park in Jamberoo. Access to the Hall is from the car park behind the IGA.

Picnic to share

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Here we are at the beginning of February, and your Committee misses you all and the great times we have together. Covid is still with us but all the double vacs and boosters will hopefully keep us safe. So come to Bonaira Garden on Friday 25 February at 5:00pm where we will do the ever popular picnic to share (but we will still use serving tongs!)

We have a wet weather plan, we have learnt from all the rain and we will have tables to put the food on, and picnic shelters to keep off the sun.

You will need to bring a biggish plate of food to share, your own picnic things and picnic seats for oldies who don’t want to sit on rugs! There will be no barbecues, so all cold food.

The cost will be $10 a head, the Try Booking list meets all required record keeping rules, if still Covid required.

Date: Friday 25 February
Time: 5:00PM
Venue: Bonaira Garden, Kiama
(enter via the AFL carpark in Girrawheen Avenue – we will be visible under the picnic shelters)
Cost: $10
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/BXDMY

Terra Madre 2021

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After a slow and often dreary time during lock down Slow Food Saddleback is inviting you and your friends to celebrate Terra Madre (Mother Earth Day) with us.
A delicious afternoon tea will be prepared by Slow Food Saddleback members and shared with friends. It will feature local produce and a home cooked and prepared celebration of our area and good, clean and fair food.

This will be followed by the screening of Rosemary’s Way, celebrating the remarkable Rosemary Kariuki and the group of vulnerable women from suburban Sydney whose lives she changes from isolation to connection.
It is a story of hope and transformation on a journey to homestay in Kiama and surrounds, where real friendships are formed.

Our member Maria Baden will be hosting Rosemary once more, and she will join us at the afternoon to share her stories and be part of our celebration. The sharing of good and local food will again be part of the Slow Food ideal.

There will be an opportunity to make a donation to Rosemary’s work during the afternoon so please bring some money with you.

 

SLOWFOOD SADDLEBACK THANKS KIAMA MUNICIPAL COUNCIL FOR ITS SUPPORT OF THE SHOWING OF THE FILM ‘ROSEMARY’S WAY’.

 

Date:          Sunday 12 December
Time:           3:00pm
Cost:            Members: $25; Non-Members: $30
                       Schoolchildren: $10
Bookings:  http://www.trybooking.com/BVOYR

PLEASE NOTE: Proof of double vaccination will be required for entry.

Picnic in the Paddock

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Celia and Des have once again offered their wonderful property as the venue for our spring picnic. It’s a BYO event so you’ll need to bring food, drinks, utensils, plates, thermos etc.
Des will mow the paddock and set up picnic tables and small barbecue fire spaces.
We’re hoping for fine spring weather but can move undercover if there’s a light drizzle. If there’s heavy rain we’ll have to cancel as we are basing our numbers on outdoor Covid rules. 

There is plenty of parking but it’s always a good idea to car share. 
Children are welcome.

Venue:           193 Quarter Sessions Road, Jamberoo
                           (ring 0438 447 326 if you are lost)
Date:              Saturday 20 November 2021
Time:              12:30pm to 4:00pm
Bookings:    https://www.trybooking.com/BVDCY
Cost:               $10 to secure booking

This event was unfortunately cancelled due to wet weather.

AGM 2021

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The Slow Food Saddleback AGM was held at Silica Restaurant on 20 October 2021.

Committee members were elected as follows:

Convivium Leader:  Celia Wade 
Secretary:   Carolyn Evans 
Treasurer:   Rhonni Garven 

Committee Members:
Judith Ball 
Ros Markezic
Kaye Turnbull
Kate Blake

AGM and other plans

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With the ever-changing impact of Covid on all our lives, the Slow Food Saddleback Committee has decided not to attempt to plan an event in August or September. We hope to be able to get together later in the year and an outline of our plans follows.

The Annual General Meeting is scheduled for 20 October and we hope to continue our tradition with another special meal at Silica. Luke and the staff are looking forward to seeing us all again and we are working on plans to have another interesting speaker.

Our plan for November is a picnic-style meal at a new venue.

In December our focus is Terra Madre and exciting plans are underway to celebrate with a  focus on  the influence Slow Food has on many lives.

Some news about our Business Development Grant winners:

Kel and Mahlah at The Pines are working hard on their Regarians program and are already seeing the changes on the farm and Yale and Emily down at Haven Island Oysters have purchased their smoker and trials have begun. 

Musical biography for a food icon

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Two years ago Slow Food Saddleback concluded our Terra Madre Day event with an ode to Margaret Fulton featuring a selection of special desserts.

Back in the 70s, Margaret Fulton took us away from our meat and three veg mentality and, with the help of the Margaret Fulton Cookbook, Aussie cooks were encouraged for the first time to experiment with new and exciting recipes.

Now a musical biography of this Aussie legend is touring the country and will arrive in Bowral in August. This delightful musical is based on Margaret’s best selling autobiography and follows her journey from humble beginnings to super stardom.

DUE TO THE CURRENT COVID SITUATION THE EVENT ORGANISERS HAVE POSTPONED THIS EVENT TO 2022.

 

Business Development Grants 2021

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Congratulations to Haven Island Oysters and The Pines Kiama who are the recipients of the inaugural Slow Food Saddleback business development grant. Applications were invited from all Snail of Approval recipients and six very worthy applications were received. The Committee’s decision was a difficult one as the applications were all relevant to Slow Food principles and aims.

The grant was split between two projects. Haven Island Oysters will receive $1 200 to explore the commercial and practical viability of smoking oysters and will purchase a smoker as part of the project.

The Pines Kiama will receive a $1 500 contribution towards  a twelve month Regrarians training program designed to give practical knowledge and an integrated pathway forward in all aspects of their farm as an ongoing ecosystem with a particular focus on securing their waterways.

Thank you to our members and their guests whose continuing support for our events enables us to invest in the future of our local farmers and providers.

Buena Vista & Silica a perfect match

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Our dinner at Silica showcasing produce from Buena Vista farm  didn’t disappoint. Around 50 Slow Fooders were treated to a wonderful 3 course meal created by Luke  and featuring Buena Vista cheeses, home grown vegetables and lovingly nurtured goat and chickens.

Silica chef Luke Basic added his magic to Buena Vista produce

Fiona’s well-loved beetroot relish, tomato chilli jam,  chicken liver pate and whole egg custard were incorporated into the menu.

Luke and his staff at Silica were very generous with their time, and the wine!

Likewise, Adam and Fiona from Buena Vista provided their produce at a generous discount.

We are lucky to have such enthusiastic and talented people in our area who are committed to Slow Food principles. You can support Buena Vista  https://buenavistafarm.com.au/at the weekly Kiama and Berry farmers markets or by buying their produce online.

Silica Restaurant and Bar https://silicakiama.com.au/ has eat in, takeaway and great value fish and chip and pasta nights each week.

Thanks to Luke and his staff and to Fiona and Adam for their contributions to a memorable night.