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.
It seems like a lifetime ago that we were celebrating Margaret Fulton at our Terra Madre lunch in December 2019. To further acknowledge this true Aussie Legend we have secured a group booking to see Margaret Fulton the Musical – a musical biography based on her bestselling autobiography “I Sang for my Supper”.
Margaret Fulton reigned supreme on our country’s cooking scene for many years. Her Margaret Fulton Cookbook encouraged Australians to experiment with more interesting ingredients, straying from the old tradition of meat and three veg. She was awarded an OAM in 1983 and later identified as a National Living Treasure.
This delightful musical romp follows Margaret’s journey from humble beginnings to super-stardom. It is presented byJally Entertainment, a progressive professional touring company, established in 2004 and based on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia.
When: 2:00pm Sunday 8 August
Where: Chevalier College Performing Arts Centre, Burradoo
Further details closer to the date
With recent research showing that good gut health is linked to a healthy body and mind, Slow Food Saddleback has arranged a workshop to explore this interesting and relevant topic.
Two local proponents of gut health, Natural Medicine Practitioner Fiona Hopkin and Wholefoods Cook-Caterer Karina Shepherd are our workshop presenters.
The workshop will cover the digestive system, the human microbiome and what a ‘leaky gut’ is. Our experts will discuss the symptoms of poor gut health, possible causes and how to restore balance. You will gain a good understanding of what gut health means and how it relates to your overall wellness. The link with the brain and immune function will also be explored.
To complete the day we will discuss what foods are best for gut health and how to safely prepare them. Then we will get into the kitchen to prepare some gut healing and gut healthy recipes before sitting down to connect and eat as a group.
Where: Gerringong Town Hall, Fern Street, Gerringong
When: Sunday 27 June from 10.30 am to 3pm.
Cost: $68 for Slow Food Members, $78 for non members.
Bookings: Try Booking https://www.trybooking.com/BRUOX
If you have dietary requirements please let us know well before the workshop.
The Snail of Approval is awarded each year by SlowFood Saddleback to recognise local food producers, artisans, retail outlets and restaurants that promote the Slow Food message of good, clean and fair food, and the protection of biodiversity in the Kiama and Illawarra regions.
This year’s awards go to:
The Blue Swimmer at Seahaven
Buena Vista Farm
Haven Island Oysters
Harrods Garden – Dapto Community Farm
Blue Acres Farm and Tours
Otis Deli
Miss Arda
Gungs Gourmet Thai
Silica Restaurant
Pecora Dairy
Moonacres Harvest Kitchen
Schotlanders
Valley Cheesemakers
Dandelion and Mallow
The Pines
Kombucha Loquacious
Ola Chola
Congratulations to all our awardees and we urge all our members and readers to support these local businesses.
The awards were presented at the Kiama Farmers Market on Wednesday 19 May.
Two of Slow Food Saddleback’s Snail of Approval local businesses will come together to present our May event.
Silica Restaurant’s Luke Basic will create a special dinner featuring produce from Buena Vista Farm, the home and working farm of Fiona and Adam Walmsley and their 3 children.
A three course meal with a welcome drink awaits you, with most of the ingredients coming from Buena Vista Farm, plus a few additions from Luke’s patch at the Dapto Community Garden. You will need to purchase your own drinks after your welcome bubbles.
Fiona and Adam returned to Buena Vista Farm in 2012 after a busy time living in Sydney. They quickly assembled a variety of animals and started cooking classes. On their 18 acres they now raise dairy goats to make cheese, have medicinal and cut flower gardens, meat chickens and laying hens, beef cattle and bees. Fiona and Adam will be our special guests for the evening and will tell us their story and future plans.
Date: Wednesday 2 June at 6.30 for 7pm.
Cost: Members $68; non members $78.
Bookings: Try Booking: https://www.trybooking.com/BRAKZ
Best to book early as places are limited.
If you have special dietary requirements, or any queries, please contact Celia – at jamberoo@icloud.com
We started the year with a bring and share picnic and last month enjoyed a fabulous meal at Miss Arda’s. Now it’s time to get back to where all our delicious food come from.
Lance Carr and Fiona Kennedy have invited us to visit their Mountain Range Farm at Dapto on Sunday 2 May. The farm has an interesting variety of activities including a wholesale palm and pine tree production nursery and a thriving vegetable plot. Lance and Fiona are regulars at the Kiama Farmers Market and their business is a Snail of Approval recipient.
Our day also includes a visit the neighbouring permaculture garden. Afternoon tea is included and you are welcome to stay for a BYO beer or wine after the tour and chat with the growers. As we will be walking around a farm and it could be wet and muddy, sensible shoes or boots are recommended.
The very popular Otis owner, Emily Herbert, brings another touch of glamour and wonderful food to our neighbourhood with the opening of Miss Arda Restaurant and Bar in Terralong Street, Kiama.
Emily is a Slow Food Saddleback member and Snail of Approval winner for her Otis Cafe, also in Terralong Street.
Slow Food Saddleback members were enthusiastic about enjoying the mainly vegetarian food prepared by Emily and a full-house reservation for late March quickly sold out.
With Covid restrictions on numbers still in place, our slightly delayed Start of Year Picnic on 28 February was also fully booked.
A smaller group organised an informal trip to the Gala Warrawong to see The Truffle Hunters, an enjoyable if somewhat quirky Italian movie. Dinner at the local Italian pizza restaurant followed.
Slow Food Saddleback has been pleased to welcome several new members this month and the Committee has a number of events in the pipeline for the coming months.
Slow Food Saddleback is starting our 2021 activites with a Covid- friendly outdoor event.
Our annual picnic will be held at Des and Celia’s farm in Jamberoo at the end of the month. It’s a casual and relaxed day sharing home grown produce and food skills with old and new friends.
For this bring and share meal you are asked to bring a dish featuring something you have grown or sourced locally, or to prepare your favourite recipe. The BBQ will be available. On arrival you will be greeted with a glass of bubbly and a snack from the barbie. If the weather is unkind, there is plenty of cover available.
Members are welcome to bring non-members and children are always welcome. Bookings are essential and numbers are limited by NSW Health Covid restrictions, so please book early. All proceeds from the day will be donated to Slow Food International to further their efforts worldwide.
Our special guest will be Tricia Ashelford, Kiama’s Citizen of the Year. Tricia will tell us about the history and workings of the Kiama and Berry Farmers Markets and the initiatives that kept the markets open despite Covid restrictions.
Date: Sunday 28 February 2021
Time: 12 noon
Venue: 193 Quarter Sessions Road, Jamberoo (Des & Celia’s)
Cost: $10 per adult, children free
Bookings: https://trybooking.com/BOJZH
A sell-out crowd of 114 Slow Food members and friends celebrated Terra Madre Day 2019 in the Kiama Pavilion on Sunday 8 December.
Slow Food Saddleback were hosts this year for this special day of international recognition of Mother Earth and put on a fabulous feast showcasing the area’s finest food and wine.
Guests were greeted with a sparkling white from Simall Winesand appetisers prepared by Slow Food Saddleback members using Buena Vista’schicken paté, smoked fish and local cheese including sheep curd from Pecora Dairy.
Entree platters ready to go
The entrée featured a yellow fin tuna caught by local fisherman Nick Dunster off the Kiama coast, eggs from Kareelah farm, Strong Organics potatoes, salad greens from Buena Vista Farm and David Ball’s veggie patch, blood limes from Tom and Helen Supple at Jamberoo and various ‘secret’ herbs.
Sourdough from the Blue Swimmerat Gerroa was served with home-made butter infused with seaweed from Phycohealth.
Des and Murray at the BBQ
Schottlanders Wagyu beef rump was chosen for the main course and cooked kebab style over charcoal by our resident barbecuers extraordinaire, Des and Murray. The roasted carrot accompaniment was a feature with Camilleri Berries supplying the carrots and our volunteer professional chefs, Luke Basic from Silica Restaurant and Bar in Kiama and Karina Shepherd from Dandelion and Mallow wholefood kitchen in Gerringong adding their magic touches.
Guest Speaker, Mahler Grey
A cheese tower was prepared by artisan cheesemaker and Slow Food Saddleback member Jan Watson and cheese platters were served in time to be enjoyed while the guest speaker, Mahler Grey from The PinesKiama, talked engagingly about her recent attendance at Slow Food Cheese 2019 in Bra, Italy. It was inspiring to hear a young sixth generation farmer talk positively and enthusiastically about changes being implemented to try and ensure the farm survives the current climate challenges.
Showcasing local cheese
Jan’s cheese selection comprised cheddar from The Pines as well as Buena Vista Chevre, Unicorn Brie and a stunning Chicco Blue artisan cheese from the Valley Cheesemakers.
A tribute to Margaret Fulton
Following Mahler’s well-received speech, the dessert, a tribute to Margaret Fulton, was unveiled with the stage curtains drawn to reveal a selection of cakes made by Slow Food members. A definite Wow moment, with several guests jumping up to take photos. Fresh strawberries from Berrylicious and the always-popular Pines gelato complemented the sweet treats.
Kiama Showgirl entrants Mackenzie Warfield, Erin Weir and Bridget Wall
Slow Food Saddleback members contributed by growing produce, making cakes, butter and appertisers, constructing the entrée and mains and serving the food and drinks. Thanks to all our suppliers who helped to showcase our area, to the three Kiama Showgirl entrants who helped with serving the meal and to Karina Shepherd from Dandelion and Mallow catering for her help in the kitchen and coming up with a great vegan appetiser. Special thanks to Luke Basic from Silica Restaurant and Bar for volunteering his time and expertise both in the lead up to and during the event.
Tricia’s creative blend of home grown and bush floral arrangements were much admired
And an extra special thank you to the tireless Tricia for all her behind the scenes work on the day and for taking on the task of decorating the venue.
Check out our Gallery page for more photos – thanks to Cathy Law from The Bugle for sharing her photographs of the event.
A reminder that bookings for Terra Madre Day, to celebrate the international recognition of Mother Earth, close on Monday 2 December.
Slow Food Saddleback Members will share a special three course meal showcasing local produce with welcome drinks and canapes.
Local wines will be served with the meal.
Venue: The Pavilion 2 Bong Bong Street Kiama
Cost: Slow Food Members $70, non Members $85
Bookings (essential) https://trybooking.com/BGGHQ
Our special guest speaker is Mahlah Grey from The Pines Kiama
who recently attended Slow Cheese 2019 in Bra, Italy
with support from Slow Food Saddleback.
If you have any queries please email slowfoodsaddleback2@gmail.com
Knife skills, BBQ excellence and some beautiful produce made for a wonderful Slow Food Cooking with Fire lunch at Celia and Des’s on Sunday 17 November 2019.
Chris from Rosebank Meats in Kiama shows how to safely sharpen a knife
Amazingly it was cool and there was no fire ban just for that day.
The afternoon’s focus was meat but some wonderful dips, salads and desserts contributed to a perfect feast! Chickens were sourced from Buena Vista Farm while Rosebank Meats provided the excellent quality red meat.
As always, many of the ingredients for the dips and salads (including the beetroot for Vicki’s very moreish dip) came from Slow Food Members gardens.
An auction of the lamb carcass carved by Chris from Rosebank Meats and sale of take-away steaks raised $810 for the Jamberoo Bush Fire Brigade. Thanks to all those who participated.
Now there’s a T-Bone!
And a huge thank you to Chris and Jo from Rosebank Meats for giving up their Sunday to share their knowledge.
The last get together of Slow Food Saddleback members and friends will be on Sunday 17 November at Jamberoo.
You’ll learn everything you need to know about sharpening your knives, kitchen knife skills, and carving and chopping barbecued meat. And, as always, there’ll be a delicious meal prepared in line with the Slow Food principles of good, clean and fair food.
Des will team with Chris Poppett and Jo Taylor from Rosebank Butchery on the carving, sharpening and cooking. Our Member Helen will demonstrate all those little knife skills we need in the kitchen.
We will also see Chris break up a lamb carcase.
Lunch will feature meats straight from the BBQs and seasonal salads. Welcome drinks will be served, then it’s BYO.
Venue: Celia and Des’s farm
193 Quarter Sessions Road, Jamberoo
Date: Sunday 17 November at 1:00pm
Cost: Slow Food Members – $50, non Members $60
Slow Food Saddleback members and friends enjoyed an excellent meal at Silica restaurant in Kiama following the AGM on Wednesday 16 October.
Having been greeted with drinks and canapes on arrival, Slow Fooders were treated to shared seafood entrees and shared platter mains featuring local seasonal produce.
Cheeses from The Pines, Pecora Dairy and Buena Vista Farm were a fitting finale to this special Slow Food dinner. All three cheese producers are regulars at the Kiama Wednesday markets and are creating some fine cheeses – check them out.
Cressida McNamara from Pecora Dairy was the guest speaker and had an interesting story to tell about what has been achieved at the Dairy and future plans.
THE SILICA MENU Canapes
Scallop Ceviche with cucumber, chicken jus and almond
Duck Breast with eggplant pickle and fennel Entrees
Kingfish Sashimi with celery, ginger oil, soy and rice crisp
Braised Octopus with broad beans, pickled onions and fresh herbs Mains
Spiced Lamb Shoulder with sri racha yoghurt
Braised Whole Chickens with ginger and shallot sauce
Roast Pumpkin with garlic yoghurt, pepitas and herbs
Roast Cauliflower with parmesan cream, pangrattato and parsley
Pickled Kohlrabi Thai Salad with peanuts, basil and nuoc cham
Garden Greens with eshallot, mustard, lemon and almonds
Kohlrabi Remoulade
Thanks to Silica management and staff and our local cheesemakers for supporting Slow Food and making the evening such as success.
Judith and David Ball again treated Slow Fooders to a great day on the verandah of their Berry home when they hosted an egg and chicken luncheon on Sunday 22 September 2019. And in line with their philosophy, it combined fantastic food, excellent wines, sharing of knowledge and a touch of fun.
On a perfect spring day guests were greeted in the garden area with champagne (or soft drink options) and a trio of egg crostini prepared by Carolyn. Then it was upstairs to watch an inspiring youtube video put together by Kangaroo Valley Pastured Eggs – (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1cyX6pLBYA). Such a big difference between our local free range egg suppliers and the big commercial ones.
The route upstairs as well as the lounge area was delightfully decorated with a wonderful collection of ceramic eggs, egg cups, cook books opened at egg recipe pages and all things eggy.
Back down in the backyard for an egg hunt and a chance for a look at the produce currently being grown in David’s veggie garden. Everyone was tasked to find three different coloured plastic eggs then it was back to the studio where David (complete with props) gave an entertaining talk on the chemistry of eggs. Judith followed by revealing an amazing flow chart showing how eggs are used and making sense of the huge variety of things we do with and to eggs.
The plastic eggs were then cracked open to reveal an egg joke and a lucky number. The winners could chose a dozen KV eggs or a basket of David’s veggies. But the egg jokes – three eggs each, thirty people…..that’s ninety egg jokes which were all either quite funny or worthy of a loud groan. Well done Judith!
Then on to lunch. First course was a smoked yellow fin tuna, salmon roe (both from the Berry Markets) and egg dish with a sour cream dressing (see our recipe section).
The main course featured chicken browned on the BBQ by Des having been previously been cooked sous vide by Liz who did a sterling job with the preparation despite being unable to stay for lunch. Accompaniments were whole roasted cauliflower, glazed carrots cooked in the pizza oven and salad greens from the garden.
Judith then served up 30 fabulous lemon souffles – something not too many would attempt!
A thoroughly enjoyable event which reflected the many hours of thought and preparation that Judith and David put into all the events they host. And a big thank you to the family members who helped make the day such a success. See the Gallery for more pictures.
Slow Food Saddleback is considering adopting as its constitution the Model constitution prepared by NSW Fair Trading.
The Model constitution can be viewed on the Fair Trading website . Click the link below and then click View or download the Model constitution (RTF, 361.55KB).
Slow Food Saddleback will again celebrate its year of activities following the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 16 October.
We will share a special meal featuring shared platters with local produce and cheeses. You will be welcomed with a drink at the bar and canapés and then we will sit down to enjoy our meal, followed by our special speaker sharing her story.
Our guest speaker is Cressida McNamara from Pecora Dairy at Robertson. Pecora is an artisan sheep milk dairy and recently became the Delicious From the Dairy Trophy Winner for their Raw Milk Feta.
Come and hear the Pecora story and sample their cheese in our cheese platter.
Date and Time: Wednesday 16 October at 6.30pm
Venue: Silica Restaurant, 72 Manning Street, Kiama
Cost: Members $55, non Members $65
Bookings: Try Booking https://trybooking.com/BFRVR
Bookings close Friday 11 October
Prior to the Dinner we will be having our Annual General Meeting at the same venue at 5.30pm. Members are encouraged to attend and be part of the future of the group. Please advise if you are coming to the AGM by contacting Celia at slowfoodsaddleback2@gmail.com, this will allow for catering at the meeting.
It seems like a lifetime ago that we were celebrating Margaret Fulton at our Terra Madre lunch in December 2019. To further acknowledge this true Aussie Legend we have secured a group booking to see Margaret Fulton the Musical – a musical biography based on her bestselling autobiography “I Sang for my Supper”.
The route upstairs as well as the lounge area was delightfully decorated with a wonderful collection of ceramic eggs, egg cups, cook books opened at egg recipe pages and all things eggy. 
