Visit the Mushroom Tunnel in Mittagong

Join other members to visit the Mushroom tunnel in Mittagong for an informative and fun outing with a group photo at the end!  We will walk the 650 metres of the tunnel, hear about its history and take home a small box of mushrooms.

It is important to note that we must meet at the Southern Highlands Visitor Information Centre, 62-70 Main Street, Mittagong, to double up in cars as parking at the Tunnel is very limited.  It is also important not to be late!!

We are charging only the entrance fee to the Tunnel –
Adults $40, and Seniors $30.

If you would be interested in having a local lunch after the tour please let Celia know (email info@slowfoodsaddleback.com.au) and we may be able to book somewhere nearby, and all pay for ourselves.

When:  Thursday 20 March, 10.30am in Mittagong (see below) .

Where:  Mushroom Tunnel in Mittagong – meet at the Southern Highlands Visitor Information Centre, 62-70 Main Street, Mittagong.

Cost:  Adults – $40, Seniors – $30.

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

Happy 2025 to all!

To start another year of Slow Food Saddleback events, we will get together for a Bring and Share meal at the Bonaira Native Gardens on Sunday 23 February, at 5 pm.

There is easy parking and toilets at the Bridge Club adjacent to the park, and we will provide tables, shade covers and a welcome drink, and you will bring simple shared picnic fare.

Keep it simple, one basket per couple??

You will need to bring your own glasses, plates and knives and forks.  Being in this special landscape, with a shared picnic has been a highlight of our get togethers over many years, and an opportunity to discuss future plans and ideas to promote Slow Food!

We need to charge a small fee, $10 per person to manage numbers and provisions.

There will be a lucky prize kindly donated by Slow Dough in Kiama.

We also have a good wet weather plan if required, but let’s hope it won’t be needed!

When:  Sunday 23 February, 5 pm.

Where:  Bonaira Native Gardens, Kiama
(enter via the AFL carpark in Girrawheen Avenue)

Cost:  $10

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

Future plans

In 2025 we are planning workshops and visits to other venues to share their produce and support our local growers.

The Committee is looking at projects to involve the local community, such as supporting school breakfasts, teaching simple cooking skills or maybe funding ‘pickers’ for excess farm produce so it can get to groups providing meals to the needy.

As the January holiday period ends –  and it has been a busy one for our producers, cafes and restaurants, we will be conducting the Snail of Approval Awards for 2025 in March, and this important activity will highlight those businesses that promote good, clean and fair food in the Kiama area. Please bring information on any business that you think deserves an award, so we can further Slow Food ideals.

We will be asking for your support for these important initiatives.

Slow Food Saddleback members are invited to come together for an early Bring and Share dinner at the Kiama Bridge Club.

Celia will be glazing a ham and Jan is preparing a fish! So, we will need contributions of nibbles, main course additions (veggies and salads), and of course some delicious desserts.

The choice is yours, but you can contact Celia if you want to make sure of a varied selection of food!

BYO drinks, and there will be a lucky door prize.

When:  Friday 6 December 2024, 5.00pm

Where:  The Kiama Bridge Club, adjacent to Bonaira Playing Fields, Girrawheen Ave, Kiama

Cost:  Slow Food Saddleback Members – $40, non-Members – $50

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

The Slow Food Saddleback Annual General Meeting was held at Silica Restaurant on 23 October 2024.

Office bearers and committee members were elected as follows:

Convivium Leader:   Celia Wade
Secretary:  Fiona Kennedy
Treasurer:  Carolyn Evans
Committee Members:
Judith Ball
Jan Watson
Susan Pearson
Roslyn Markezic

Please remember how much time your Committee puts into our Slow Food experience, and be in touch with ideas or suggestions for next year! And of course, any offers to help!

 

 

Dear Slow Food Saddleback Members,
It is time for our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Celebration Dinner at Silica Restaurant in Kiama.  This is the time to remember why we support the Slow Food movement and celebrate our achievements and plan for the future.

The AGM will be held at 5.30 pm upstairs at Silica, and be followed at 6.30pm by a welcome drink and a special 4 course dinner.  Luke and his team will present a Mediterranean Harvest Feast, using local produce from the farm at Dapto and fresh fish (please advise if you don’t eat fish, but there will be lots of other choices).

We will have an included Welcome Drink and some canapés to start, before taking our seats for the main event.  You will be able to buy your own drinks after we settle in!

As usual we will have a special guest, actually 2 this year, who represent the Slow Food principles of good, clean and fair food.

Richard and Lucy King from Slow Dough will join us and tell us about their journey so far in the bread world and the challenges and successes they have had to get to the shop in Kiama!

AGM – 5.30 pm, please advise if you are planning to attend the AGM by email at info@slowfoodsaddleback.com.au.  You can also contact Celia here with any queries.

Information – Nominations for the Committee need to be presented on the Nomination Form available here.

An election of office bearers will be held at the Meeting if necessary.

When:  Wednesday  23 October 2024, 6.30pm for dinner (5.30 pm for AGM)

Where:  Silica Restaurant, 72 Manning Street, Kiama

Cost:  Slow Food Saddleback Members only – $85

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

 

A variety of delicious things to eat will be created on the day under the direction of group leaders and then shared by all.  OK, we may not make bread, we will collect from our favourite bakers.

Come and share your skills, and don’t worry about the weather we can all be undercover.

This event is for Slow Food Saddleback members only – numbers are limited as we will all be involved in food preparation

When:  Sunday 22 September 2024, 10.30am to 1.30pm

Where:  Celia and Des’s home in Kiama (more details closer to the day)

Cost:  Slow Food Saddleback Members only – $50

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

Special Date to Note
The Slow Food Saddleback Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 23 October at Silica restaurant followed by our Annual Dinner with Luke and the staff.

This has become a much enjoyed tradition that makes a real occasion of the AGM.

Please put the date in your diary

It’s time to renew your Slow Food Saddleback membership for 2024-2025.

You can renew by completing and returning the Renewal Form to Fiona Kennedy (email fionackennedy@outlook.com), and paying your membership fees as soon as possible.

Your support for Slow Food Saddleback continues to promote Slow Food ideals of good, clean and fair food, and supports our many local activities.  Your Membership also contributes to Slow Food International and will help to build projects worldwide that defend food diversity and foster greater food choices.

If you are not a member and would like to join please complete the form on the Membership website page.

Ian Martin at Martins Ridge Farm will welcome us to his farm, tell his story and then share with us a delicious Charcuterie demonstration and tasting.

Many of you will have seen Ian’s produce at the Kiama Farmers’ Market – delicious pork, cured meats and a variety of products to use as much of the beast as possible, following good Slow Food principles.

Coffee will be available on arrival, and drinks may be purchased on site, a glass of  beer, wine or a soft drink to enhance the samples of food we will try.

This will be an interesting and informative day, to learn about another of our local producers who follow the Slow Food way.

The Farm is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Kiama, a very easy trip and close to Milton and Mollymook for later in the day.

So, organise some car sharing and head down the Highway. If the weather is inclement, don’t worry, we will be able to stay undercover!

When:  Saturday, 17 August, 11.00am

Where:  68A Martins Ridge Road, Conjola 2539

Cost:  Slow Food members – $45,  non-members –  $55

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

NOTE: If you haven’t already paid your Membership renewal, please do so as soon as possible, and many thanks to those who have already done so. Further details available here.

Jan is one of our valued Members and an excellent cheesemaker! Jan has travelled to cheese making workshops in Europe and Australia, and brings with her vast experience and talent.

We will meet in Kiama for a learning experience followed by a delicious matching lunch, prepared by your Committee.  Jan will demonstrate how to make butter and simple quick cheese treats to make at home. Samples of these will be shared as we go!

Following the demonstrations, Jan will treat us to a general cheese tasting of some of the cheeses she has made earlier.  We may even get to see some cheese smoking.

Lunch will follow, with a themed, delicious light meal.
Tea and coffee will be available all day.

When:  Saturday, 22 June, 11.30am to  2.00pm

Where:   Kiama Uniting Church Hall, 48 Manning Street, Kiama
(plenty of parking in the carpark or nearby!)

Cost:  Slow Food members – $45,  non-members –  $55

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

You’re invited to join Richard in the Slow Dough kitchen to learn how to make their famous heirloom tomato, parmesan and rosemary focaccia to take home and share with your family.

Over two hours together, we will discuss the principals of sourdough baking by looking at how to make focaccia – from feeding your starter, to mixing the dough and folding it, then finally shaping, dressing and baking.

There will be sourdough refreshments and wine during the afternoon.

At the end of the session, you will go home with a hot focaccia slab, sourdough starter, and a booklet with instructions how to look after your starter and bake bread.

When:   Sunday, 26 May 2024, 2.00pm-4.00 pm

When:   Slow Dough Bakery, 19 Bong Bong St., Kiama

Cost:  $45  – members only

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

Please bring an apron!

Numbers are limited so please book early.

Autumn is here and Winter will soon follow, so let’s enjoy the last of the outside evenings with welcome drinks in the Nursery, and Dinner to follow in the Conservatory at the Quarry Cafe at Burnetts on Barney.

Elizabeth Burnett will be our host for the evening and will speak to us over dinner about the Burnetts on Barney story.

The Quarry Cafe is this year’s recipient of The Slow Food Saddleback Business Development Award and Elizabeth will update us on her future plans.

Dinner will be provided by the staff at The Quarry Cafe, and after our welcome drink, please BYO for drinks with your Dinner.

When:  Thursday, 18 April 2024, 5.00pm
(we are starting early to get the last of the evening light)

Where: Burnetts on Barney, 80 Barney Street, Kiama

Cost:  Slow Food Saddleback members – $75, non members – $85

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

Numbers are limited so please book early.

Any suggestions?

We are always on the look out for more activities and then of course people to help organise and help on the day.

If you have any suggestions or special contacts please be in touch by sending an email to info@slowfoodsaddleback.com.au or talk to us at any of our events.  Your input will be most welcome.

Our presence around the area is now recognised by many and that encourages good, clean and fair food for all

Getting to know bees is our theme for March.  Come along to a morning tea and question time to learn lots of detail about honey in a local setting.

Honey flavoured treats and tea and coffee will be shared but please bring your own mug to help us save on the washing up.

When:  Wednesday, 6 March 2024, 10.30am

Where: 7 Armstrong Avenue, Gerringong

Cost:  Slow Food Saddleback members – $20, non members – $30

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

Any suggestions?

Your Committee spends a lot of time organising and managing funds and membership.  We are always on the look out for more activities and then of course people to help organise and help on the day.

If you have any suggestions or special contacts please be in touch by sending an email to info@slowfoodsaddleback.com.au or talk to us at any of our events.  Your input will be most welcome.

Our presence around the area is now recognised by many and that encourages good, clean and fair food for all.

Our special producers, farmers and restaurants deserve our recognition, and your Committee now awarded the 2023 – 2024 Snails of Approval (presented at Kiama Farmers Market on 13 December 2023).

Our awardees this year are again a diverse collection of businesses, who continue to strive to produce Good, Clean and Fair food in our area and for our community.

The 2023-2024 awards go to:

Atlas and Flora, organic farmers (Facebook)
Buena Vista Farm
Gung’s Thai Food
Hywel’s Lemonade
Miss Arda Restaurant
Moonacres Kitchen
Mountain Range Nursery
Ola Chola Food Truck (Instagram)
Silica Restaurant
The Quarry Cafe at Burnett’s on Barney
The Blue Swimmer Restaurant
Top Shop Kiama (Facebook)
Tilda and Cacoa

The awardees have received a certificate and a plaque to display at their businesses so visitors and locals alike will know they are businesses worthy of support, and who are part of a world wide Slow Food organisation.

They  were also invited to apply for a Business Development Grant, the aim being to fund one of our good, clean and fair local producers or businesses to pursue a development that might otherwise be outside their means.

The Committee as usual had a difficult choice, but the award went to The Quarry Cafe at Burnetts on Barney.

The business plan for The Quarry Cafe will enable the expansion of Crop and Swap, and continue a program of taste education by connecting producers with the public –  a portable shed will be converted into a cooking space and provide room for using local producers’ excess in preserving and eliminating waste.

Your continued Membership and support of Slow Food Saddleback allows this program to flourish.

Please contact our Convivium Leader, Celia Wade  at info@slowfoodsaddleback.com.au if you have any queries.

2023 – 2024 Snails of Approval have been awarded and we are pleased to offer the recipients the opportunity to apply for our Business Development Award.

Our recipients this year are again a diverse collection of businesses, who continue to strive to produce Good, Clean and Fair food in our area and for our community.

We will get together for a Bring and Share meal to make the presentation and to start another year of Slow Food Saddleback events and get togethers.

A Bring and Share meal if you haven’t attended one before is a relaxed way of contributing to a special meal – we all contribute something delicious on the night, you can do first course or dessert, whatever you choose, and plates go on the table for all to sample.
Also bring your own drinks – we will provide plates, cutlery glasses etc.

When:  Friday, 2 February 2024, 6.00pm to 9.00pm

Where: Celia and Des’s home – 15 Taylor Street, Kiama

Cost:  $10 to confirm attendance and start our finances for 2024

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

Please contact Celia Wade at info@slowfoodsaddleback.com.au
if you have any queries.

The Slow Food Saddleback Annual General Meeting was held at Silica Restaurant on 25 October 2023.

Office bearers and committee members were elected as follows:

Convivium Leader:   Celia Wade
Secretary:   Fiona Kennedy
Treasurer:   Carolyn Evans
Committee Members:
Judith Ball
Susan Pearson
Helen Harrowell
Roslyn Markezic

 

Join Slow Food Saddleback for this special screening Rachel’s Farm at the Pavilion in Kiama.

Film starts at 6pm, followed by a conversation on Regenerative Farming led by Kel Grey from The Pines in Kiama.

Tea, coffee and snacks will be served after the film.

When:  Thursday, 2 November at 6.00pm, doors open at 5.30pm

Where: The Pavilion Kiama

Cost:  $20 (plus 50c booking fee per booking)

To book:  Try Booking: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1126997