Slow Food South Bay, a chapter of Slow Food, Educates, Advocates and Celebrates Good, Clean and Fair food in San Benito, San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, Fremont and Newark.

~ Some of Our Past Events ~

Spring Potluck and San Mateo EcoVillage Tour

Saturday, May 14, 2011

11:30 AM to mid-afternoon

San Mateo



Free

Given limited space, reservations required





San Mateo Ecovillage is located in San Mateo in two four unit apartment buildings on the waterfront between San Mateo and Foster City. We have extensive organic gardens and have planted about three dozen fruit trees and have grafted most of them with three to six varieties, and raise chickens and honey bees.....and sell honey and eggs. We will have a tour about 11:30 and set-up for a potluck about 12:30.

We have some extra dishes and tableware, but it would be useful if you brought your own place settings. We have quite a few chairs, but if you have one that is convenient to carry, bring it along. Depending on the size of the group and the weather, we will eat either on the dock or up in our "community" room. We have a community agreement to not have shared meals with anything higher on the food chain than fish, so please try to keep to vegetarian dishes, or fish. Bring jackets to sit out on the dock in case it remains cool.

If you would like to stay later and help in a garden project that would be great, starting at about 2:00. You might want to bring your garden gloves and your favorite hand tool.

Note that we are also looking for people to live here who want to share in creating a more sustainable lifestyle. You can read more about us on our website.



This is a great chance to meet your fellow chapter members. We'll spend part of the potluck talking about what is going on in the chapter and brainstorming about possible events for the next quarter and beyond. Some of our best ideas have been born at potlucks!



At the request of our hosts, please limit potluck dishes to vegetarian and fish dishes.

Please bring your own chair and place setting if you can.

South Bay Premiere of the Film:

Truck Farm

A whimsical film about urban agriculture

from the makers of King Corn



Friday, May 6, 2011

7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

World Centric Community Space

2121 Staunton Ct, Palo Alto



$5 Donation Requested

No one turned away for lack of funds





Join Slow Food South Bay and World Centric at the World Centric Community Space in Palo Alto for the South Bay premier of the new film Truck Farm, a whimsical film about urban agriculture, by the makers of King Corn.

Slow Food South Bay member, chef, and co-founder and Chief Gastronomic Officer of Grubly, Tim West, will be in attendance to kick off his newest endeavor as the South Bay's very own Truck Farmer. He'll talk to us about the experience of becoming a Truck Farmer and we'll keep our fingers crossed that he has his truck by then, so that he can show it to us in its early stages.

To complete the evening, those who want to stay and discuss the Truck Farm concept - an entertaining way to promote sustainable food - can join in a group discussion. We'll plan to come up with a few similar ideas for promotion and see if we can put one or more of them into action.

Tickets available at Brown Paper Tickets (and if not sold out, at the door).





Truck Farm Contest:

This spring, join thousands of young people all across the country in planting seeds in the most creative, most quirky place you can think of! Why? Because it's fun and rewarding to grow your own fresh food - even if you don't have any land.

To e-mail, just enter a photo of you and your 'farm' to contest@truck-farm.com by June 1, 2011. Please include your name, age, school and title of your farm. Submissions will be accepted in Elementary, Middle and High School and Up categories so all ages can participate. A panel of celebrity judges, including Michael Pollan and Alice Waters will award prizes to the winning entries.

Introducing Moroccan Cooking

Tagine Cooking Class and Slow Dinner

Sunday, March 20, 2011

5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Mountain View

(location will be send to ticket holders)

$60 Slow Food members

$75 non-members

Experience a taste of Morocco! Join us on March 20 to experience a taste of Morocco with our Tagine Cooking Class and dinner!

You'll learn how to use a tagine clay cooker to make, and then enjoy, a delicious dinner of classic dishes from local, organic farmers' market produce and spices imported from Morocco.

Our teacher, Chef Casablanca, is Katia Essyad, a native of Rabat, Morocco. Her inspiration comes from "her mother's cooking and from the women who raised her." Chef Casablanca learned from these women and she is passionate about Morocco's unique cuisine. She runs a cooking school and owns Casablanca Market in Mountain View.

In support of Slow Food and our chapter's work, Chef Casablanca is donating her time to teach the class in her own Moroccan kitchen. She is also providing ingredients for the class, such as spices imported from Morocco, preserved lemons, harissa, etc. Thanks to her generous donation of time and venue, the cost for our members and friends is $60 / $75 (Slow Food members / non-members) which will cover other provisions, preparation and cleanup costs and a donation to Slow Food South Bay.

Go to Brown Paper Tickets and order your tickets now! Seating is limited and will sell out!

Chef Casablanca Signature Menu

Moroccan Tagine of Chicken with Preserved Lemons and Olives

Chef Casablanca signature dish



Taktouka (Baked Green, Red, Yellow Peppers, Tomatoes with Moroccan spices)



Zaalook (Moroccan Eggplant Salad)

Chef Casablanca signature dish



Moroccan Orange Blossom Mint Tea

Madjool Dates and Candied Walnuts "Energy" Dessert



Note: If you prefer, you are welcome to bring your own wine.

California Small Farm Conference

Tasting Reception



Sunday, March 6, 2011

5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

San Jose DoubleTree Hotel

2050 Gateway Place San Jose, CA [Map]

The 2011 California Small Farm Conference will be held in San Jose from the 6th to the 8th of March. To open the conference, on Sunday, March 6, the 2011 Tasting Reception, will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the San Jose DoubleTree Hotel. The Tasting Reception is open to the public.

The Tasting Reception showcases the rich culinary landscape of the Bay Area. This mouthwatering event features fine wines and exceptional micro-brews paired with seasonally driven culinary delicacies. A fun way to network with other locavores, farmers and food activists. Proceeds and donations benefit local farmers by providing scholarships to attend next year's California Small Farm Conference in Ventura.

Slow Food South Bay is a partner in the Tasting Reception, so you know the food will be sustainable as well as delicious. Tasting tables will feature a number of members and friends of the chapter. Food, which includes donations from more chapter members and friends, will be prepared by a group of volunteer Slow Food chefs.

You won't want to miss this tasty event. Tickets cost $35 and $75, with the higher priced tickets including a larger donation to the scholarship fund.

FYI - The conference itself consists of numerous workshops and talks oriented to the small farmer. Registration is for the entire event and costs $150.

TEDxManhattan Streaming Party

Changing the Way We Eat



Saturday, February 12, 2011

7:30 AM - 3:00 PM

World Centric Community Space

2121 Staunton Ct, Palo Alto, CA

On February 12, The Glynwood Institute for Sustainable Food and Farming will host TEDxManhattan: Changing the Way We Eat, a one-day TEDx event on sustainable food and farming. It will explore our food system -- from what happened, to where we are, to what we are doing to shift to a more sustainable way of eating and farming. In an effort to have as many people as possible participate, the event will be webcast live.

For those of you unfamiliar with TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design), it is a small non-profit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, using talks and performances. Thought leaders from around the world are invited to give presentations up to 18-minutes long that explore important topics to society. All of the talks are recorded and available in an archive at TED's web-site. Some memorable talks include, Dan Barber's How I Fell in Love With a Fish and Jamie Oliver's TED Prize Wish: Teach Every Child About Food. Check them out and get hooked.

Then plan to join us at World Centric on the 12th. The line-up is impressive, including Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis, makers of King Corn, Brian Halweil of the Worldwatch Institute, Josh Viertel, president of Slow Food USA and many more. You can get the full list at the TEDxManhattan web-site. There is no schedule for individual speakers, but the event will be broken into sessions:

Come for one session or stay all day. Those of us staying over lunch time will plan to share a potluck lunch together. Bring something simple, seasonal, local - something sustainable - to share with your neighbors.

[This event is brought to you by a number of partners: Collective Roots, Slow Food South Bay, Transition Palo Alto, Transition Silicon Valley, and our host World Centric.]

Annual General Meeting



Celebrate, Educate, Advocate



Monday, January 24, 2011

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Mountain View Community Center

Lower Social Hall

201 S. Rengstorff Ave., Mountain View

Join your fellow Slow Food members for an evening of food, business and celebration at our annual meeting January 24. Make your voice heard - current Slow Food South Bay chapter members will vote to ratify the new by-laws and to elect the new 2011 Board of Directors. You'll learn the results of our latest member survey. And you'll also hear about upcoming events and we hope you'll share your suggestions for future 2011 events.

Also on the evening's program: a photo review of Terra Madre, Slow Food's international conference in Turin, Italy. And with your help, we'll kick off development of our Slow Directory, incorporating your ideas into a new on-line resource of farms, restaurants and artisan producers who are working Slowly to provide healthy food here in the South Bay.

A Slow Food event wouldn't be complete without ... food. You'll hear from the folks at Harley Farms in Pescadero and taste their world-class artisan goat cheese paired with wines from Downhill Winery in Los Gatos. Join us and welcome the New Year with healthy food, delicious wine, chapter business and engaging conversation!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day with Collective Roots



Gravenstein Apple Tree Planting

Winter Potluck

Terra Madre Show and Tell



Monday, January 17, 2011

1286 Runnymede St, East Palo Alto

Slow Food South Bay and Collective Roots are planning a pair of special events for Martin Luther King Day and the National Day of Service.

From 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM join Collective Roots and Canopy in planting Gravenstein Apple Trees at various locations in East Palo Alto, including at the beautiful garden at the East Palo Alto Charter School. These trees are part of a donation of 350 fruit trees which will be planted across East Palo Alto over the next two years. Visit Collective Roots' MLK Day event page for more information. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Collective Roots' volunteer e-mail or call them at (650) 324-2769.

The Gravenstein Apple is listed on the Slow Food Ark of Taste, as well as having a Presidium Presidium in Sonoma County. These are very special trees.

From 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, we will celebrate the season. Those of you who haven't seen the charter school garden will have a chance to take a tour before the sun goes down. Then we will move inside for a seasonal potluck (be inspired by the Gravenstein apples! or bring your favorite winter dish), accompanied by photos and stories from the Slow Food South Bay and Collective Roots delegates to Terra Madre 2010, last October in Turin, Italy.

If it is raining that day, you will want to call Collective Roots to make sure that the planting is taking place. The potluck will happen regardless of weather. If the weather is nice, Collective Roots will fire up the outdoor oven in the garden (respond to this e-mail or call Collective Roots if this interests you).

Please note that as we will be on school property, no alcohol is allowed at the potluck. We'll have drinks available, such as coffee, tea and cider.

Neighborhood Harvest Network

Holiday Exchange

Saturday, December 11, 2010

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

World Centric Community Space

2121 Staunton Court, Palo Alto

Join the Neighborhood Harvest Network partners, Acterra, Barron Park Green Team, Barron Park Garden Network, Barron Park Association, Common Ground Organic Garden Supply and Education Center, Palo Alto Community Gardens, Silicon Valley Action Network, Slow Food South Bay, Transition Palo Alto, Transition Silicon Valley at our host World Centric for a Holiday Garden, Food, Cookie and Craft Exchange.

The first local Garden Swap was held August 21 at Common Ground, with people coming together to share produce, chat and get to know one another. Four other events followed where home gardeners met for a free exchange of garden bounty. Here is one guest's rave review: "What a great event, like a free farmers' market - grapes and raspberries and oranges and two types of apples, sage and oregano and rosemary and thyme, sorrel and a plethora of tomatoes, seeds to save and plant, and some beautiful flowers. Thank you!" - Rani

These lively community events support home gardening and local food production. We have fun coming together to swap homegrown fruit, vegetables, eggs, herbs, honey, and flowers.

Saturday, December 11, we will expand the concept to exchange homemade holiday creations, as well as all great late fall produce, such as persimmons, lemons and oranges. Bring cookies and other sweets, crafts, decorations and greenery to exchange for the handmade goodies of your neighbors. Expecting that some of the cookies will be eaten on site, we will provide apple cider to quench your thirst.

Come for the food, come for the community. Hope to see you there.

Slow Gathering at McKinley Elementary School

Thursday, December 9, 2010

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

McKinley Elmentary School

651 Macredes Ave, San Jose

This event has changed a little bit since it was first announced. It is no longer a dinner. Instead it will be more of a mixer, introducing the McKinley Elementary School garden, Veggielution and Slow Food South Bay to the students, parents and teachers of the school. And everyone is invited. Come join us for an evening of conversation and good food.

At 5:30 we'll help the children plant a cover crop of beans in their raised beds. Yes, it will be dark and cool, but we have lights and it won't take too long to cover the beds.

By 6:00 we'll move inside for conversation and food. Teacher Shama Cameron will tell us about her plans for the school garden, how the non-profit that she and her friends have started, Living Better Lives, plans to work with the school district on garden and food education. Veggielution will talk about their farm, it's place in the community, and their intention to start an in-school program for garden education. And we will talk about Slow Food, our chapter, and about the local, seasonal food we are eating, and why we are eating it.

And we will have fresh, local, seasonal food to share. Some Slow Food members will spend part of the afternoon cooking with students and teachers in the neighboring community center. Other people will bring food from home. All of the food will reflect the bounty of our late season harvest in the South Bay. We'll have salsa from late season tomatoes, carrot dip, spinach balls, persimmons and more. This isn't a potluck, but if you feel inspired to bring a seasonal dish to share, you are more than welcome to do so. (Please, nothing with alcohol in it. We will be on school grounds.)

If you have any questions, or would like to join us at the community center before the event, send e-mail to our info e-mail account.

Kallari Chocolate Tasting

Monday, November 8, 2010

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Ann Duwe's Home

Los Altos Hills

Slow Food members: $20; non-members: $25

Sensual Chocolate Tasting and Educational Presentation: Learn Regional Flavor Profiles from Cocoa Seedlings to Chocolate Bars

You can experience a flavorful journey into the world of gourmet dark chocolate in this blind tasting. This educational and sensual event helps you learn to distinguish chocolate notes, discern roasting techniques and recognize origins. You will experience gourmet chocolates from around the world during the session, meanwhile developing sensory control of the palate and texture identification. Learn from an experienced chocolatier about what contributes to the regional flavors of cocoa beans, the process involved in chocolate making, and the political implications of the world's third most important commodity.

Kallari Chocolate is the only world-class dark chocolate made by indigenous farmers who are 100% owners of their own chocolate bars. Human rights campaigns, environmental researchers, and discerning food critics have praised the Kallari line of organic gourmet bars for its merits. This chocolate has received accolades for a flavor profile that has a remarkable richness, without an astringent aftertaste. Kallari and other chocolate bars processed nearby the cocoa groves will be matched up against the top rated leading gourmet chocolates in a blind tasting to provide a challenge for even experienced chocoholics

Tickets at Brown Paper Tickets (no tickets at the door).

Neighborhood Harvest Network

Sunday, October 10, 2010

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Global Work Party

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Garden and Food Swap

Collective Roots

1785 Woodland Ave, East Palo Alto

Join Slow Food South Bay and partners Acterra, Barron Park Green Team, Barron Park Garden Network, Barron Park Association, Transition Palo Alto and Common Ground Organic Garden Supply and Education Center for another Garden and Food Swap.

We're going to be at a different location this time, the new offices of Collective Roots in East Palo Alto. We know that notice is short, but the timing for this Swap is important: Collective Roots is holding a special event as part of 350.org's 10/10/10 Global Work Party and we thought that it would be an excellent idea to combine the two events.

From 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Collective Roots will be kicking off its new demonstration and community garden in the yard behind their offices. Work will be organizational and will include sheet mulching - donations of cardboard are welcome.

From 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, or so, we will hold the Garden and Food Swap in the parking area out front. Bring the excess produce of your garden, or your kitchen, bring seeds, bring recipes, bring ideas. Talk to your neighbors about possibilities for future Swaps.

We are hopeful to have some music again at this event - those who attended the Dig-In! Swap at Common Ground know how nice that was.

You don't have to work in the garden to swap or bring anything to swap to work in the garden. Come to garden, come to swap, come for both. Your choice, but don't miss it.

Food Literature Group

Twain's Feast with Author Andrew Beahrs

Monday, September 27, 2010

7:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Mountain View Community Center

201 S. Rengstorff, Mountain View

Slow Food South Bay's Food Literature Group has a special treat this quarter: we are going to be joined by author Andrew Beahrs to discuss his recent book Twain's Feast. The Food Literature Group would like to open this event to the members and friends of our chapter.

You won't have to have read Twain's Feast to enjoy the evening. Andy will read from the book, which will appeal to all Slow Food members, and tell us a little bit about writing it. Afterward we'll have a discussion with Q&A, leaving time for those who have read the book and those who haven't (and we won't give any secrets away).

It would be worth coming if that were the entire evening, but we're going to make it even more interesting. We're going to combine the reading with a seasonal potluck, including some dishes inspired by foods talked about in the book. And to finish the meal, Andy is going to bring maple syrup from the family in Connecticut described in the last chapter and lead us in a tasting.

A limited number of copies of Twain's Feast will be available for purchase at the event and there will be time to get them signed by Andy.

Please join us if you can. RSVP to our INFO account and include the dish that you will bring to the potluck so that we can try to keep balance in the meal (it doesn't have to be from the book, anything Slow and seasonal will do).

Dig In! Breaking Ground, Breaking Bread

Saturday, September 25, 2010

11:00 AM

Common Ground Organic Garden Supply & Education Center

559 College Ave, Palo Alto

Join Slow Food South Bay and partners Acterra, Barron Park Green Team, Barron Park Garden Network, Barron Park Association and Transition Palo Alto in the parking lot of our host Common Ground Organic Garden Supply & Education Center for a Garden and Food Swap as part of Slow Food USA's National Work Day - Dig In! Breaking Ground, Breaking Bread.

Backyard gardeners, home canners and other people who enjoy the Slowest of food, here is your opportunity to meet like-minded people in your community to exchange the excess produce of your garden, seeds, home-made products, recipes, ideas and more.

We will also have an heirloom tomato tasting - local organic heirloom tomatoes of numerous varieties. If you have a unique heirloom tomato, please bring it along to share and to tell us all about it's unique qualities.

And we'll have live music as well.

We intend this to be a regular event, to be scheduled according to the desires of the members and the produce of the season. As such, we are in the process of creating a database of people and their produce which will help us connect with each other on a regular basis.

Recognizing that a Garden and Food Swap is the most local of events - you neither should nor want to drive half way across the county to swap your excess apples for someone else's excess tomatoes - we intend to replicate this event at a number of other locations throughout our region as we can.

Come help us kick-off what should be a great project. Bring your tomatoes. Bring your grandmother's secret tomato sauce recipe. Bring your ideas. If you live in or near Palo Alto, you'll want to check this out, so that you can help organize it and plan to attend regularly. If you live elsewhere in the area, you'll want to check it out, so that you can help set up a swap in your neighborhood.

Slow Drinks - A Slow Food Mixer

Sunday, September 19, 2010

3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Enoteca La Storia

416 N. Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos

Slow Food members: $12; non-members: $15

Join us at Enoteca La Storia on Sunday, September 19, for the launch of Slow Food South Bay's Slow Drinks - featuring 100% organic bites and hand-selected Italian wines.

Hosted by Slow Food South Bay members Mike Guerra and Joe Cannistraci at theirbeautiful new wine bar, our first Slow Food mixer offers you the opportunity to meet chapter leaders, learn about upcoming Slow Food events and visit with other members and friends in an atmosphere of conviviality.

Joe will create fresh, sustainable antipasti from family recipes using seasonal produce that's certified organic and sourced from local farms. The antipasti (detailed below) are included in the $12 member ticket price. To complement the food and conversation, Mike has chosen four classic Italian wines (also listed below) for only $6 a glass. And they've promised to tell the story of how the enoteca came to be, built from recycled and repurposed materials on the strong foundation of their shared Italian-American heritage.

You won't want to miss this truly Slow mixer! Tickets available soon at Brown Paper Tickets or at the door. See you there!



An Italian Locavore

Menu Sampler

Crostini Carmela

Slices of toasted ciabatta topped with chopped fennel and sauted in olive oil.

Crostini Mezza Giorno

Slices of roasted ciabatta topped with slow-cooked local beef in our house ragu of roma tomatoes, fresh Italian herbs, olive oil and garlic.

Roasted Red Pepper and Baked Garlic Panini

Red bell peppers, fire-roasted and marinated in olive oil, fresh basil and oregano with baked garlic on toasted ciabatta.

Baked Cauliflower Siciliano

Cauliflower baked in olive oil with breadcrumbs made with toasted ciabatta and fresh Italian herbs.

Arugula Salad

Arugula, red onion, fennel and heirloom tomato salad served with olive oil, a splash of lemon juice and Italian herbs.

(Joe's certified organic ingredients include: Sorella Paradiso extra virgin olive oil from Mill Valley; ciabatta from Whole Foods Bakery in San Francisco; garlic from Christopher Ranch in Gilroy; and cauliflower, arugula, red onion, red bell peppers, roma and heirloom tomatoes, fennel, peas, lemons, Italian herbs, basil and oregano from growers in Santa Cruz County).

Expect some fresh surprises as well!



Buona Vini Italiani

Our "Sparkler": Umberto Cesari Refolo Spumante Brut

Emilia-Romagna region, 50% Pignoletto/50% Chardonnay, sur-lees method.

Soft, with a delicate fruity bouquet, notes of lavender and yellow flowers, fine and persistent perlage (bubbles).

Fontana di Papa Bianco

Lazio (Roma) region. 100% Trebbiano Giallo.

Crisp and refreshing citrus notes, well-balanced with an attractive almond tone on the finish.

Fontana di Papa Rosso

Lazio (Roma) region, 100% Sangiovese.

Intense blackberry, ripe cherry and raspberry fruit aromas, supple and succulent, well-structured and balanced with a silky-smooth, enduring finish.

2008 Azzuro Primativo

Salento ("the heel of the boot") region. 100% head-trained, old-vine Primativo (genetically identical to Zinfandel.)

A balance of elegance and power with flavors of spice and white pepper, jammy black cherries, plums, blackberries, tar, truffles and espresso. Well-structured, warm and rich in the mouth with a creamy texture.

Terra Madre Fundraising Dinner at Donato Enoteca

"A Slow Journey through Italy"

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Silent Auction 6:00 PM / Seating 7:30 PM

Donato Enoteca

1041 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City

Join Slow Food South Bay and Donato Enoteca on Thursday, September 2, as we celebrate Terra Madre and the delightful food of Italy. This special dinner and fundraiser will benefit Collective Roots, an East Palo Alto nonprofit focused on garden-based learning and food systems change, on their journey to Italy as delegates to Terra Madre. Terra Madre - Slow Food's biennial conference for food producers, cooks, educators and students - brings together food communities from around the world to share innovative solutions for global sustainability in food.

Chef Donato Scotti takes you on a delicious tour with his unique pan-Italian cuisine - inspired by local, organic produce from Collective Roots, Happy Quail, Marchini and Iocopi Farms. His menu for this event includes Antipasti Organico, Ravioli Melanzani and Roast Veal Loin Peperonata. Donato Enoteca is Michelin Guide 2010 recommended and its wine list has received the prestigious Wine Spectator 2010 Award of Excellence.

The journey begins at 6:00PM with a silent auction of food and garden delights - wines and wine tours, garden instruction from Collective Roots, autographed books and more. Learn about Collective Roots' work to educate youth and adults in designing sustainable organic gardens and support "Good, Clean and Fair" food while enjoying an enchanting evening in Chef Donato's elegant private dining room.

Tickets are $76, with an optional $32 wine pairing specially chosen by Sommelier Eric Lecours from his award-winning list.

Call Donato Enoteca to reserve: (650) 701-1000. Don't wait! Tickets are limited and will sell out!

Il Menu

Chef Donato Scotti

Antipasti Organico

Heirloom tomato salad with mozzarella di bufala

Spicy fava beans "polpette"

Poached half moon bay calamari salad with ruchetta and butter beans

Ravioletti di Melanzane

House-made roasted rosa bianca eggplant, scamorza small ravioli

Vitello e Peperonata

Roasted veal loin with medley of herbs, traditional "peperonata"

Dolce di Pesche

Marinated sun crest peaches with crema pasticcera

Quarterly Potluck

Saturday, July 24, 2010

4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Lynne Smart and Paul Terrill's home

Mountain View

Summertime is here and it's a great time to move our quarterly potluck outdoors.

Lynne Smart and Paul Terrill will be our hosts for this event. They will barbecue chickens in their new Big Green Egg grill. Lynne says to come meet the Big Green Egg for the best BBQ you've ever tasted and watch an Egg Head in action.

Everyone else should bring starters, sides, drinks or desserts. We'll sit outside and enjoy the Northern California summer.

Please bring a lawn chair if you have one.

Please bring plate, cup and utensils too.

This is a great chance to meet fellow members of Slow Food South Bay and talk about what we are doing as a group and what you would like to be doing. We will spend some time talking about possible chapter activities for the rest of the year, including what is going on with Terra Madre, the upcoming National Volunteer Day and more. If you've had an idea, wanted to get involved or just find out more about what is going on Slow Food-wise in the South Bay, here is your chance.

Please RSVP to our info e-mail account if you're interested in participating.

Grandmother's Workshop #2 - Salmon Papillotes

Sunday, June 27, 2010

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Chris Lawrence's home

Sunnyvale



Cook like your grandmother would.

Slow Food South Bay member Shari Rooney will be teaching our second Grandmother's Workshop: Salmon Papillotes (salmon steaks baked in foil). The technique of cooking en papillote, or in a foil pouch, seals in the juices of the ingredients, allowing the food to cook with less added oil or fat, which makes for a healthy dish and a particularly tasty one as well. Cooking en papillote works as well for vegetables, chicken or sausage as it does for fish, although it works particularly well with salmon.

Shari will be teaching another dish in the same class: Salade Verte aux Picodons Rotis (salad of greens with fried chevre). The special technique in preparing this salad is to pan fry the goat cheese until is is slightly melted inside, while remaining crisp on the outside.

Shari learned both of these dishes from French author and chef Lydie Marshall at her cooking school A La Bonne Cocotte in Provence.

This small class will be very hands on. If you don't know these techniques, you'll want to check it out.

$22.50 per person for Slow Food Members

$27.50 per person for non-members



Maximum participants: 10

Dine and Donate for Terra Madre

at Cafe Primavera at Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park

Saturday, June 26, 2010

11:30 AM - 2:30 PM: Lunch

Allied Arts Guild

75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park

DINE at Cafe Primavera - DONATE to Terra Madre

Your dining dollars will help Slow Food South Bay support travel expenses for our local delegates attending the Terra Madre Conference in Turin, Italy, Oct. 21-25, 2010.

Sponsored by Slow Food International every two years, the Terra Madre Conference brings together members of local food communities in 150 countries, including farmers, artisanal food producers, cooks, activists, educators and students from sustainable food systems. Delegates share knowledge and techniques, building a larger food chain network of sustainable best practices for good, clean and fair food for all.

Patio and indoor dining available. For reservations, call 650.321.8810

Print out and bring our coupon to your server and 15% of your bill will be donated to support local delegates attending Terra Madre.

Flavors of the Garden at Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park

Saturday, June 19, 2010

11:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Allied Arts Guild

75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park

Allied Arts Guild will be holding its Flavors of the Garden event on the grounds and in the old buildings of its campus in Menlo Park. The open-air marketplace, geared towards fresh, sustainable living, will include Wine Tasting, Gourmet Food, Local Produce & Herbs, Organic Clothing, Artists En Plein Air and Live Entertainment. This event will also be child friendly - if you have kids, don't miss "Story Time" by Kepler's Books at 12:00, 1:00 and 2:00.

Slow Food South Bay will have an information table at the event, with activities especially geared toward children. Make sure not to miss this event, and please stop by our table to say hi.

Download the event poster here.

Friday Night Film Series - Films of Vision and Hope

6 Consecutive Fridays: May 14 - June 18, 2010

7:30 - 9:30 PM

World Centric

2121 Staunton Ct, Palo Alto

Slow Food South Bay is partnering with Acterra, Silicon Valley Action Network, Transition Palo Alto, Transition Silicon Valley, and World Centric to host a series of films on sustainable food issues. On the first 5 Fridays, the partners will show a film highlighting a different aspect of food in our society. Each film will be followed by a short presentation and by a chance for discussion among the viewers. On the 6th Friday, everyone who is interested can come back together for more discussion over a 100-mile potluck.

100% Grass-Fed Picnic

Saturday, May 22, 2010

1:30 - 10:00 PM

Paicines Ranch

Tres Pinos, CA



Slow Food, Paicines Ranch and Eating With the Seasons members: $45

Non-members: $55

Children 6 - 16 half price

Children under 6 free

You won't want to miss this! For more information click here.

County of Santa Clara Unity in Diversity Fair

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

10:30 AM - 2:00 PM

James P. McEntee Sr. Plaza

70 W. Hedding St, San Jose

Slow Food South Bay will have an information table at the County of Santa Clara Unity in Diversity Fair. This is a great opportunity to talk about Slow Food and our chapter to 1000 county employees. If you are a county employee, please stop by. If you know someone who is a county employee, encourage them to stop by.

Enoteca 100 Primavera

Saturday, May 1, 2010

12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Donato Enoteca

1041 Middlefield Road, Redwood City

650-701-1000

VIP Preview - $70

General Admission - $55

Early Bird General Admission - $50 (limited)

Slow Food South Bay is once again partnering with the restaurant Donato Enoteca in Redwood City for their wine and food event, Enoteca 100 Primavera, on Saturday, May 1. Those who went to last November's premier Enoteca 100 event reported a wonderful event, with good fine, good wine and good company.

Slow Food South Bay will again have a table at the event to introduce guests to Slow Food and in particular to the South Bay chapter.

If you are a wine connoisseur, you won't want to miss this event. As added enticement, all Slow Food members get a 10% discount on tickets - enter the code "slowfoodsouthbay" when you make your purchase. In addition Donato Enoteca will donate 10% of all Slow Food tickets purchase, and a portion of all other tickets, to Slow Food South Bay's fund for sending local representatives to next October's Terra Madre in Turin, Italy.

Buy your tickets: HERE.

Note: Caltrain Redwood City stop is across the street from the restaurant.

Activities Committee Potluck Dinner

Monday, April 26, 2010

7:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Chris Lawrence's House

Sunnyvale

It's time for our quarterly Activities Committee Potluck Dinner. This time we will be holding it at member Chris Lawrence's house. It will be tough to outshine the incredible meal that we ate at Chris Holt's house back in January, but Slow Food people are bound to be up to the challenge.

The meeting has an informal agenda. We will discuss events for the upcoming quarter and possible events beyond that. We are considering an event of some kind at Andy's Orchards some time in the summer, timed with the availability of Andy's Ark of Taste stone fruit. We are also looking for new ideas. If you have an event that you've been thinking about, bring your ideas and talk to your fellow members - you just might find some sympathetic people who will help you make it happen.

As this event is becoming very popular and is limited in size by the host's house, it will be open only to current chapter members. Perhaps this is the encouragement that past members were looking for to renew and friends were looking for to get them to join.

Please RSVP to our info e-mail account if you're interested in participating.

Full Circle Farm - Earth Day Fest 2010

Sunday, April 18, 2010

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Full Circle Farm

1055 Dunford Way, Sunnyvale

Slow Food South Bay will have an information table at Full Circle Farm's Earth Day Fest 2010. This is a great opportunity to talk about Slow Food and our chapter to the people who attend the festival - attendance is expect to top 2000 people this year! - and to get out and enjoy a Northern California spring day at the farm.

Download the Full Circle Farm event flyer.

















Book Preview - The Dirty Life by Kristin Kimball

Thursday, April 15, 2010

7:00 PM

POST Conference Room

222 High St., Palo Alto

Join Slow Food South Bay and POST for a preview reading by Kristin Kimball of her forthcoming book The Dirty Life. Light refreshments will be provided.

Kristin Kimball and her husband, Mark, founded Essex Farm together in 2003 in Essex, NY. Before that, Kristin worked as a writer and freelance editor in New York City. She graduated from Harvard College with a degree in English.

Essex Farm is a year-round, draft horse-powered CSA that provides a full diet for 100 members. The share includes grass-fed beef, pastured pork, pastured chicken, free-range eggs, raw dairy, 60 different kinds of vegetables, some fruits, maple syrup, grains and flours, dried beans, soap, herbs and flowers. Everything is produced on the farm, and members are encouraged to take what they need for the week, without limits or pre-boxed selections.

Kristin's book, The Dirty Life, is the story of meeting a farmer, falling in love, and leaving New York City to start a new kind of farm with him on 500 remote acres in northern New York. It is about learning to live a challenging and rewarding new life, and discovering the pleasure of growing, cooking and eating farm-fresh food. The book will be published by Scribner in October.

City of San Jose Wellness Conference and Fair

Friday, April 9, 2010

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

City Hall Rotunda

200 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose

Slow Food South Bay will have an information table at the City of San Jose Wellness Conference and Fair. This is a great opportunity to talk about Slow Food and our chapter to some of the 3000 city employees, who will be given time off from work and encouraged to attend the fair. If you are a city employee, please stop by. If you know someone who is a city employee, encourage them to stop by.

Film: The First Millimeter: Healing the Earth

Monday, April 5, 2010

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Los Altos Library

13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos

Slow Food South Bay is partnering again with the Los Altos Library for a showing of another important film about sustainable food. The film, First Millimeter: Healing the Earth, which has been shown on numerous PBS stations around the country, is a documentary about Holistic Management, a system of land management which aims to improve our farming and ranching processes and so to heal the earth. The title refers to the first millimeter of the earth, the top soil that is often lost to erosion, and which livestock, properly grazed, can help restore to health.

    Also included are interviews with leading scientists, revealing the importance of healing land in the areas of soil health, ecosystem diversity and global climate change: Healing the Earth reveals the powerful role that healthy land plays in the fight against global warming. Healing the Earth is bringing the benefits of Holistic Management to a vast, new audience of ecologically minded, socially conscious individuals like you.

Slow Food South Bay member Sallie Calhoun, who is also on the board of the Holistic Management Institute, will be in attendance to present the film, take questions and lead a discussion after the film is over. Sallie, who is also co-owner of Paicines Ranch in San Benito County will be the host of our upcoming 100% Grass Fed Picnic on May 22. This is a great chance to get a preview of the ranch we'll be visiting next month.

Read a full synopsis of the film here.

Read a nice article about Sallie in The Pinnacle, Hollister and San Benito County's newspaper, here.

Sustainable Meat Tasting Extravaganza

Sunday, March 14, 2010

3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Daniel Lilienstein's House



$35 Slow Food members / $40 non-members

Come join us for an education in sustainable meat, the only way that food should be taught: as a delicious meal.

Our host, Slow Food South Bay member Daniel Lilienstein, is collaborating with Marin Sun Farms to choose a selection of their meats, including beef, pork, lamb and goat. Marin Sun Farms raises only 100% grass-fed and pasture-raised livestock (read about their sustainable philosophy here ). Daniel will introduce us to each course, telling us about how the animal was raised and why we should be eating it.

Udo Prambs, Slow Food South Bay member and certified master chef, will be leading the cooking, assisted by a group of Slow Food volunteers in the kitchen. He has created a five course tasting menu, including:

Local beers and wines to complement the meats will be served.

You won't want to miss this! Buy your tickets at Brown Paper Tickets soon.

How Do We Close the Food Gap?

Thursday, March 11, 2010

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Glide Foundation / Glide Memorial

330 Ellis St, San Francisco, CA 94102

A panel discussion on the question:

Moderator:

Panelists:

Program to close with audience Q&A.

Point Reyes Books will be selling Mark Winne's books

RSVP and more info

Slow Food South Bay is partnering with Real Food for Children and the Art Institute of California - Sunnyvale's Culinary Arts Program for their upcoming fundraiser.

Real Food for Children is run by SFSB member Rany Prambs, as a collaboration with the educational, culinary work book that she is writing for children and teachers. Real Food for Children's aim is to offer children opportunities to cook and eat Real food, in a world where they have all too few opportunities; where their parents are too busy, their schools are too strapped for cash and industry is more interested in making a buck than in properly feeding them. The children will have opportunities to visit local farms and farmers' markets, view documentary films about food and the food movement, and attend cooking and demonstration classes let by local professional chefs.

Silicon Valley Guest Chef Series

Fundraiser "Real Food for Children"

Saturday, March 6, 2010

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

The Art Institute of California - Sunnyvale

1120 Kifer Rd, Sunnyvale



Silicon Valley Guest Chef Series:

Join us on Saturday, March 6th at 5:00pm for this fundraising event. The beneficiary will be "Real Food for Children," a new foundation dedicated to educating youths about food choices. This is the first in the new Silicon Valley Guest Chef Series.

The evening will begin with a screening of Fresh , Fresh celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Each has witnessed the rapid transformation of our agriculture into an industrial model, and confronted the consequences: food contamination, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and morbid obesity. Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a future of our food and our planet.

Among several main characters, Fresh features urban farmer and activist, Will Allen, the recipient of a 2008 MacArthur Genius Award; sustainable farmer and entrepreneur, Joel Salatin, made famous by Michael Pollan's book, The Omnivore's Dilemma; and supermarket owner, David Ball, challenging our Wal-Mart dominated economy.

The evening progresses with a five course local, organic, and seasonal menu.

Participating chefs and organizations include:

Two tiers of tickets are available:



Movie and organic snacks only:

Now thru February 26th: $25.00

After February 26th: $35.00

The all inclusive package, including movie, snacks and 5 course dinner:



Now thru February 26th: $89.00

After February 26th: $95.00

Slow Food members: $79.00

Wines are from Frey Vineyard of Mendocino - Organic & GMO free wines

There will be no auctions or raffle tickets, simply enjoy your evening with us!

No one under 21 years old will be admitted.

Those remaining for dinner will be led in to the Aemono dining room of the Art Institute where you can also watch the chefs at work in the kitchen through the glass fronted wall of the dining room.

Buy your tickets HERE .

Download a copy of the event flyer and pass it on.

Slow Food South Bay Panel Discussion

Silicon Valley Reads

Saturday, February 27, 2010

2:00 PM

Rose Garden Library

1580 Naglee Avenue, San Jose

Slow Food South Bay will present a panel discussion based upon Silicon Valley Reads 2010 book choice In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan. Our topic will be "Getting to Know Your Food", exploring what Michael Pollan means by the words in his sub-title: "Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly Plants.", and how it relates to Slow Food's mission of Good, Clean and Fair food.

Our panel will consist of 4 speakers:

Slow Food South Bay is kicking off it's Grandmother's Workshop series with a hands-on tamales class taught by member Ann Duwe.

Grandmother's Workshop #1 - Tamales

Friday, February 26, 2010

7:00 - 9:00 PM

Ann Duwe's House

Wild Mushroom Tamales. These are not your grandmother's tamales! Though we'll use traditional dried corn husks and finely ground corn flour, the addition of dry porcini mushrooms and exotic fresh ones makes them a fancy hors d'oeuvre. Bring a container and plan to take some home after our tasting at the end of the lesson.

$8 per person for Slow Food Members

$12 per person for non-members

Maximum participants: 12

Buy your ticket HERE.

CAFF: Farm to School Workshop

Saturday, February 6, 2010

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Kennedy Commons Sustainable Building

Santa Clara University

500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara

CAFF, the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, is holding a free workshop to introduce the public to their Farm to School Initiative.

Slow Food South Bay, along with a local Girl Scout troop, will be providing a light, healthy lunch. We will also set up an information table, including our Time for Lunch petitions, at least.

Please RSVP to CAFF (see their web-site) or to our info e-mail account if you're interested in participating.

Activities Committee Meeting and Potluck

Monday, January 25, 2010

7:00 - 9:00 PM

Chris Holt's House

It's time again for our quarterly Activities Committee Meeting. This time we will be holding it as a potluck dinner at member Chris Holt's house. Pull out your best portable recipes (no soup please, that never seems to work well) and prepare to show off your sustainable skills.

The meeting has an informal agenda. We will discuss events for the upcoming quarter and possible events beyond that. Among the topics will be: Grandmother/Grandfather's Workshops, the first of which should happen soon; restaurant dinners: how often we have them, how they are handled, should they always have a Slow Food point; and a possible "signature" event for some time in the late spring or summer, perhaps a picnic showcasing local, sustainable meat, produce and wine. Beyond that, bring some ideas of your own - there will be time to discuss them too.

Please RSVP to our info e-mail account if you're interested in participating.

Film: Two Angry Moms

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

7:00 - 9:00 PM

Los Altos Library

13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos

As a continuing part of Slow Food's Time for Lunch campaign, Slow Food South Bay will show the film, Two Angry Moms, a documentary about two mothers who got fed up with the school lunches at their children's schools and decided to start a grass roots movement to do something about it. As the Moms state on their web-site:

We are linking our showing of the film to the Silicon Valley Reads program. The film is free and open to the public. After the film, Slow Food South Bay members who have worked on the Time for Lunch campaign will stick around for a discussion with the audience.

Slow Holiday Dinner

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

7:00 PM - ???

Estrellita Restaurant

971 N. San Antonio Rd. Los Altos, CA 94022

Tis the Season to Eat Slowly.

Start your holiday season in a tasty way - join your fellow Slow Food South Bay members for an evening of delicious Mexican food, holiday cheer and good company at Estrellita Restaurant. Estrellita has been serving regional Mexican specialties in Los Altos since 1958. Expect seasonal dishes that you won't likely find elsewhere.

Felices fiestas!

Terra Madre Day Film: Mr. Bene Goes to Italy at Barefoot Coffee Roasters

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

7:00 PM

Barefoot Coffee Roasters

5237 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara

As part of Barefoot Coffee Roasters month-long celebration of Terra Madre Day , Slow Food South Bay will host an encore presentation of the Slow Food Rio de Janeiro film: Mr Bene Goes to Italy , about a Brazilian manioc farmer's trip to Turin, Italy to attend Terra Madre 2006.

A portion of this month's proceeds at the Barefoot Coffee Roasters will be donated to Slow Food USA for use in the Time For Lunch campaign.

2nd Annual Chapter Business Meeting

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

POST Conference Room

222 High Street, Palo Alto

It's time for Slow Food South Bay's 2nd Annual Chapter Business Meeting. All current chapter members (Slow Food dues paid up with Slow Food USA, that is), are encouraged to join us for a review of the year just passed, and a discussion of possibilities for the year to come.

Agenda:

We will plan to have some light refreshments before the meeting, and leave some time for people to chat before we get started.

Please RSVP to our info e-mail account if you're interested in participating.

Special Event: Enoteca 100

Saturday, November 7, 2009

12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Donato Enoteca

1041 Middlefield Road, Redwood City

650-701-1000

VIP Preview - $70

General Admission - $55

Early Bird General Admission - $50 (limited)

The Largest Italian Food & Wine Tasting Event on the

Peninsula & South Bay

Slow Food South Bay is partnering with the restaurant Donato Enoteca in Redwood City for their first ever Enoteca 100 wine and food event, on Saturday, November 7. This event will be similar to Slow Food San Francisco's Golden Glass in many ways - wineries and importers will be on hand to taste and talk about their wines, while good food will be available to pair with it.

Slow Food South Bay will have a table at the event to introduce guests to Slow Food and in particular to the South Bay chapter.

If you are a wine connoisseur, you won't want to miss this event. As added enticement, all Slow Food members get a 10% discount on tickets - enter the code "slow" when you make your purchase.

To purchase tickets, visit http://www.donatoenoteca.com

Note: Caltrain Redwood City stop is across the street from the restaurant.

Film: Eat at Bill's

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

POST Conference Room

222 High Street, Palo Alto

$5 Slow Food members / $7.50 non-members

Tickets available at the door, or buy them at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/86639

Eat at Bill's is a documentary about the Monterey Market in Berkeley and it's owner Bill Fujimoto. Bill, and his brother Ken, run the family market that their father Tom founded in 1961 - if you have never been there it is quite an experience. Filmmaker Lisa Brenneis decided to capture the phenomenon of Monterey Market on film. She writes:

Eat at Bill's: Life in the Monterey Market is a video documentary about the phenomenon that is the Monterey Market, a family owned produce market in Berkeley, CA. The focus is on Bill Fujimoto, the market's owner. Bill's enthusiasm and experience fuel the enterprise and illuminate the Market's wide world of small growers and diverse customers.

The Monterey Market's single store supports many dozens of small (and formerly small) farms. Bill's determination to support the maximum number of small growers and his passion for connecting customers with the very best has attracted a small army of restaurant customers. Bay Area chefs know the Monterey Market's back room is the place to find the season's finest.

Farmers across California will tell you that Bill was their first retail customer and that his support was crucial to their success. I was inspired to make this movie because I'm one of those farmers.

Read Lisa Brenneis's article about her film for Edible East Bay.

Read reviews of the movie.

By-laws Committee Meeting and Potluck Dinner

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

6:00 - 8:00

PACE Conference Room

1880 Pruneridge Ave, Santa Clara

Interested in helping Slow Food South Bay get better organized, broaden its mission, share more with its membership? Want to become more active within the chapter? Then come help us draft by-laws for the chapter.

We are forming a By-laws Committee, which is open to any current Slow Food South Bay member (Slow Food dues paid up with Slow Food USA, that is). We will meet at least twice - once before the Annual Business Meeting, and at least once afterward. Each meeting will be a potluck dinner meeting. We'll plan to chat and discuss things in general over a shared meal, then get down to the work of drafting by-laws.

We have two examples to work from - please feel free to look at either one, which are available on our web-site. We have a draft template from Slow Food USA and the constitution of the Slow Food Russian River chapter. We'll use these as models to build our own by-laws.

Please RSVP to our info e-mail account if you're interested in participating.

3rd Activities Committee Meeting

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

6:30 - 7:30 (dinner)

7:30 - 8:30 (meeting)

Flaming Fresco

823 Hamilton St, Redwood City

Join us for our 3rd Activities Meeting at the Flaming Fresco restaurant in Redwood City. Enjoy good Mexican food with fellow Slow Food South Bay members. Then help us plan our events for the next few months. (It is possible to come just for the meeting, but please consider supporting the restaurant in some way.)

We will discuss possible events proposed for this quarter at the last Activities Meeting, including:

Bring ideas for other events that you are interested in seeing our chapter hold. In particular, we will hope to follow up on the suggestion from the last Activities Meeting that we have more child-friendly events. And we will also talk about holding events that have some public outreach or advocacy, as the Time for Lunch Eat-In did.

School Garden Construction at McKinley Elementary

Sunday, October 18, 2009

10:00 AM - 12:30 PM (construction)

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM (potluck lunch and tour)

McKinley Elementary School

651 Macredes Ave, San Jose

Join Slow Food South Bay as we help teacher Erica Stanojevic build planter boxes for McKinley Elementary School 's new garden. We will be constructing four planter boxes from existing plans with already acquired materials on the school grounds. Bring gloves, hammer, electric (or other) screwdriver, plant clippers and shovel, if you have them, and lots of enthusiasm. No construction experience necessary - learn as we build.

Afterward we will move the short distance to Emma Prusch Park to join Veggielution for their weekly potluck lunch. Bring a dish to share. We will get a tour of Veggielution's Acre after we're done eating.

We think that we can complete this project in about 2 hours with a team of 8 people. Please RSVP to our info e-mail account if you're interested in participating.

Good Music & Eats

Sunday, October 11, 2009

12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Sonoma State University

Join Slow Food Sonoma State University and all Northern California Slow Food chapters at Good Eats & Music on October 11 on the Sonoma State University campus. The afternoon festival will feature a tasty local lunch, guest speakers including Slow Food USA President Josh Viertel, and great musical entertainment.

Purchase your tickets today at Brown Paper Tickets. Tickets are $38 or $25 for students. In order to get an event headcount and order lunch, please buy your ticket early!

The event lunch menu features chicken from Soul Food Farm in Vacaville, which was recently devastated by a fire. Thanks to a huge outpouring of support, owners Alexis and Eric Koefoed are currently re-building their farm - read their blog for details. Please attend this event and enjoy their delicious chicken!

Time For Lunch Goes on the Road

In order to draw more attention to the upcoming reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act, Slow Food South Bay is going to have a table at South Bay farmers' markets over the next few weeks. We will have the time for lunch petition and platform, and letters for children to write (with veggie tattoos for those who do), as well as information about Slow Food and the South Bay chapter. If you haven't signed the petition, or you simply want to stop and say hello, please look for our table at the following farmers' markets:

Sunday, September 13th, 2009

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Mountain View Farmers' Market



Saturday, September 19th, 2009

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Downtown Palo Alto Farmers' Market



Sunday, September 27th, 2009

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Campbell Farmers' Market



Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

2:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Palo Alto Community Farm Shop



Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

3:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Palo Alto Community Farm Shop



Read all about Slow Food USA’s Time For Lunch campaign and sign the petition on-line.

Read all about Slow Food USA’s Time For Lunch campaign and sign the petition on-line.

Goan (Indian) Buffet Lunch

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

12:00 noon - ???

The Mynt Restaurant, San Jose

5210 Prospect Rd. San Jose, CA 95129

Chris Lawrence has arranged an introduction for us to the foods of his childhood home in Goa. Lunch will be a buffet for which the charge will be $15 per person. Beer and wine can be ordered separately for an additional charge.

Slow Food South Bay’s Time For Lunch Eat-In

Monday, September 7th, 2009 (Labor Day)

11:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Associated Students House, El Paseo de San Carlos, near 4th St

San Jose State University



Get all the details about Slow Food South Bay's Eat-In.



Download the flyer for Slow Food South Bay's Eat-In.



Read all about Slow Food USA’s Time For Lunch campaign.

Composting Class

Sunday, August 16th, 2009

Michael Wright's Childhood Home

This class is designed for people wanting to start composting and start reducing the amount of waste to landfills, and reaping the benefits of homemade compost for their gardens.

The first hour is about the theory and science of composting, different methods of composting, type of bins, etc. About 20-30 minutes will be spent on vermicomposting, (composting with worms), and then the remainder of the time will be spent turning and building a pile.

Afterwards, we'll have some tomatoes for you to try from our garden. (wine too). People are welcome to bring tomatoes of their own, their favorite balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and wine to share.

Bring some gloves and old shoes as we hope to turn and build a pile as this is a hands on event. Bring a folding chair if possible. We will have some, but not enough for a large crowd.

The class will start at 4 and end by 7, which includes some time for socializing.

Activities Meeting

Monday, July 13th, 2009

Chris Lawrence's House

Come join us for the second meeting of Slow Food South Bay's Activities Committee. We will discuss a number of possible events (see full agenda in the first Slow Food South Bay newsletter, which should arrive soon in your inbox), including Slow Food USA's "Time For Lunch" program and the upcoming Eat-In that we will hold in conjunction with this effort at a South Bay school on Labor Day, September 7. Bring your own ideas and all of your enthusiasm.

And bring a dessert or drink to share. Just because this is a business meeting doesn't mean we can't be convivial. (Note that we will sit out back if the weather is nice, and given that it is summer in Northern California, what else could it be.)

Potluck at the Miller House

Sunday, June 28th, 2009

San Jose

Kati and Mike Miller invite you to a potluck at their home. They will provide barbequed organic chicken and hamburgers. Please provide side dishes or desserts and beverage of your choice. Indicate what you are bringing in the RSVP so others can decide to bring something different.

Directions to the Millers' home will be provided to attendees.

The maximum number of attendees (not including the Millers) is 14.

Film: Mr. Bene Goes to Italy

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

POST - 222 High St, Palo Alto

Slow Food South Bay invites you to a showing of Mr. Bene Goes to Italy, a charming account of how a very humble but skillful manioc farmer in Brazil makes his way to Terra Madre, Slow Food's biennial international gathering in Turin, Italy . This movie was first shown in the US at the Environmental Film Festival, last March. The movie says much about the rewards of authenticity. In Portuguese, with English subtitles.

After the movie we will walk a couple of blocks to Pampas, where manioc fries, spit-roasted meats and other Brazilian specialties make this a distinctive dining experience. We've invited the chef to talk to us about manioc, also called yuca or cassava. A separate evite will be sent for the dinner.

The movie will be $5 for members, $8 for nonmembers, to be collected at the door.

Brazilian Dinner - Pampas

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

Pampas Restaurant - 529 Alma St, Palo Alto

Slow Food South Bay invites you to a showing of Mr. Bene Goes to Italy, a charming account of how a very humble but skillful manioc farmer in Brazil makes his way to Terra Madre, Slow Food's biennial international gathering in Turin, Italy . This movie was first shown in the US at the Environmental Film Festival, last March. The movie says much about the rewards of authenticity. In Portuguese, with English subtitles.

After the movie we will walk a few blocks to Pampas, where manioc fries, spit-roasted meats and other Brazilian specialties make this a distinctive dining experience. We've invited the chef to talk to us about manioc, also called yuca or cassava.
The film will be at 6, the dinner at about 7:30.

The dinner will be approximately $45, with each person responsible for his own tab.

Slow Food South Bay Goes to the Oaxacan Kitchen

Wednesday, May 20th, 2009

Oaxacan Kitchen - Palo Alto

Please join us at the Oaxacan Kitchen in Palo Alto on Birch St. off of California Ave for authentic Mexican cuisine. This is a very small restaurant so we will be meeting early to make space.

For more information on the restaurant, please see their web site http://theoaxacankitchen.com.

Activities Meeting at Country Gourmet

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

Country Gourmet Restaurant (Mountain View)

Slow Food South Bay is going to hold its first Activities Committee meeting on Thursday, April 16. This meeting is open to all chapter members. We will talk about possible events and projects for the chapter for the rest of the year. Discussion will include a potential big summer outdoor gathering, a number of other events that have already been proposed, and anything else those in attendance want to bring up. (We are thinking of making the Activities Committee meeting a regular event, perhaps to be held quarterly, and to be moved around the Slow Food South Bay region - another thing to discuss at this meeting.) So, if you're interested in getting more involved, making a Slow Food event a success, or just meeting your fellow chapter members, come on out. Bring your energy, your enthusiasm and your ideas.

We have reserved the back room at the Country Gourmet restaurant in Mountain View (2098 W. El Camino Real, at the corner of Rengstorff). Country Gourmet is a friendly, moderately-priced restaurant with counter ordering and partial service. If you want to join us for dinner, plan on being there at 6:30. If you simply want to discuss Activities, we will plan to start at 7:30 (you might want to get one of their excellent desserts). We will adjourn by 9:00.

Kallari Chocolate Tour

Sunday, March 29th, 2009

Slow Food South Bay - Kallari Chocolate Tour
Enrique Cerda, a member of the Kallari Association in Ecuador, whose Kallari Chocolate bars were recently launched at Whole Foods stores in the U.S., will be touring ten U.S. cities in February and March of 2009. Cerda will be traveling with a translator, Rebecca Roebber, an intern from the University of Oregon.

The Kallari Association is a cooperative of over 850 Quichua families in Napo Province in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Recognizing that most of the profit is to be made from sales of chocolate bars, not the cacao beans, the Quichua people created a cooperative where they would have more control over revenues. The Kallari Association, with its self-reliant governance and innovative economic model, is nothing short of revolutionary in the global chocolate industry. Cacao production provides the Quichua people with a viable income so they have the economic resources to resist logging their forests or succumb to the short-term riches offered by petroleum extraction. A full 100 percent of profits from sales of the chocolate bars are returned to the Kallari Association.
New York Times article on the Kallari: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/dining/05choc.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=kallari&st=cse

When: Sunday, March 29, 3-5 pm

Price: $15 Slow Food members, $25 nonmembers

To register: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/57863

Food Tasting SIG - California Cheeses

Friday, March 27th, 2009

Slow Food South Bay - Food Tasting SIG - California Cheeses

Join Slow Food South Bay for a repeat of our first SIG (special interest group) to be held at the home of one of our members in Palo Alto this time. SIGS offer the opportunity for tasters to focus in and learn more about one specific food type (i.e. olive oil, peanut butter, pasta) and discover which they love most. We evaluate foods on appearance, taste, smell, and if wed buy them or not. As a Slow Food group, our SIGs will focus on local foods.

This first SIG will be tasting a variety of CA cheeses (both cow and goat) and learning about the wonderful cheese artisans/producers who surround the Bay Area. Cost of admission includes the cheeses, wine, sparkling water and bread.

When: Friday, March 27 7-9 pm

Price: $15 Slow Food members, $25 nonmembers

To register: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/57848

Food Tasting SIG - California Cheeses

Thursday, January 15th, 2009

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Slow Food South Bay - Food Tasting SIG - California Cheeses [SOLD OUT]

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Join Slow Food South Bay for our first SIG (special interest group) to be held at the lovely home of one of our members. SIGS offer the opportunity for tasters to focus in and learn more about one specific food type (i.e. olive oil, peanut butter, pasta) and discover which they love most. We evaluate foods on appearance, taste, smell, and if we'd buy them or not. As a Slow Foods group - our SIGs will focus on local foods.

Slow Food member local chef Laura Stec will lead this first SIG, which will be a little broader based than others - tasting a variety of CA cheeses (both cow and goat) and learning about the wonderful cheese artisans/producers who surround the Bay Area. Cost of admission includes the cheeses, wine, sparkling water and bread.

Thursday 15 Jan 2009 7 pm

Home of Frank Ashton

Limit 15 tasters
$15 members, $25 nonmembers
Tickets here https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/50576

Information (650) 799-6904

Film: Ripe for Change

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008

Offices of the Peninsula Open Space Trust, 222 High St, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Slow Food South Bay presents the film Ripe for Change: Agriculture, Sustainability and the Foods We Eat with a discussion led by the film makers, Emiko Omori and Jed Riffe, after the screening. There will be light refreshments.

Cost: $10 Slow Food members, $15 nonmembers. Only 50 viewers can be accommodated.

Tickets at Brown Paper Tickets Brown Paper Tickets event 26849

This fascinating documentary explores the intersection of food and politics in California over the last 30 years. The film illuminates the complex forces struggling to control California's agriculture and provides provocative commentary by a wide array of eloquent farmers, chefs, authors and scientists.

Meeting the film makers is a special treat since both of them have done distinguished documentary films.

Emiko Omori began her career as a filmmaker as camera/editor on KQED’s “Newsroom.” Her documentary memoir Rabbit in the Moon tells the story of her family’s confinement in a World War II American concentration camp. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and has won numerous awards, including a National Emmy for Outstanding Historical Program. With Jed Riffe she produced and directed Ripe for Change as part of a four-part PBS series, “California and the American Dream.” Other subjects she has filmed include 7,5000 Miles to Redemption,” which premiered at the Oregon State Penitentiary and The Technology of Orgasm, which premiered at Lincoln Center in New York in July 2007.

Jed Riffe’s survey of “healthy food” stores in the 1970s uncovered only 14 between San Diego and Seattle. Subsequently he turned to organic gardening, raising cattle and establishing food cooperatives. His first films were on American Indians, particularly the devastating toll that obesity, diabetes and alcoholism have taken on them. His best known film, Ishi ,the Last Yahi, enjoyed limited public success in theaters and was acquired for national broadcast by the PBS series “The American Experience.” Jed produced and co-wrote the opening episode, California’s Lost Tribes, for the PBS series “California and the American Dream.” Other award-winning documentaries he has produced include Who Owns the Past?, about the Indian struggle to control ancestral remains; Rosebud to Dallas, about relocation of American Indians; and Promise and Practice, about redlining of inner city neighborhoods.


Potluck at Debora Rose's home

Saturday, August 25th, 2007

Palo Alto

Deborah Rose is graciously hosting this potluck in August in her garden. Farmers' markets is the theme. Come prepared to talk about your favorite farmers' market and let your contribution be inspired by farmers' markets.

Deborah is going to supply compostable dishes (what an idea) and may be convinced to give her sex in the garden talk.

For more information contact Slow Food South Bay Information

Cooking Class with Chris Holt

Sunday, August 19th, 2007

Chris Holt will hold a cooking class in her home. The menu will feature pork tenderloin with a red wine pomegranate sauce. This will be a hands-on class, not a demonstration. The cost is $25, payable at the event, to cover food and wine.

For more information, contact Slow Food South Bay Information

Organic Biodynamic Sustainable Wine Tasting

Saturday, August 18th, 2007

Vino Locale, 431 Kipling St, Palo Alto

When wine was invented, our early winemakers had no need or even the ability to add sulfites or spray the grapes with toxic pesticides. Much has changed!

There is good news however, because more and more winemakers are choosing to go "back to the basics" and practice methods to grow grapes and make wine in the most authentic and natural way as possible. It is not easy.

This event will feature several local wineries, local organic food, and an education about the difference between wines that are organically grown, certified organic, biodynamic and grapes that are grown in a sustainable manner.

Randall Graham, winemaker for life at Bonny Doon and one of the pioneers of biodynamic grape farming, will be here from 4-6 p.m. that day.

Net Proceeds and 10% of any bottle sales support Slow Food South Bay!

Cost: $20

Restaurant visit - Shiok

Tuesday, July 24th, 2007

1137 Chestnut St, Menlo Park, CA

Member Chris Lawrence is the host for this month's restaurant visit. Join us for good food, good conversation, and a chance to talk about food slowly.

Here's some information about the restaurant from its web site http://www.shiokkitchen.com
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Food is the national passion of Singapore and "Shiok!" is the phrase most often heard uttered by a Singaporean when he or she has enjoyed a meal.

Singapore is a multi-ethnic society made up of Chinese, Malay, and Indian, whose immigrant forefathers brought with them rich food traditions from across Asia.

Typical Singapore food is thus an exciting blend of culinary heritage based on some of Asia's greatest cuisine. This combination creates a unique and dynamic flavor more lively and far richer than the traditions from which they stem.

SHIOK! Singapore Kitchen offers a selection of authentic Singaporean food in a casual and friendly environment. We hope you will enjoy the flavors and find it a Shiok! experience too!

An Afternoon with Harold McGee

Sunday, June 10th, 2007

Come spend an afternoon with Harold McGee, author of On Food and Cooking. Harold will answer questions from the attendees. Wine courtesy of Tedeschi Winery. Cost: $20.

Restaurant Visit - Illusions Fayrouz

Tuesday, June 5th, 2007

Our restaurant for the month of June is Illusions Fayrouz, a highly rated Lebanese restaurant. The food is terrific and the room is elegant and comfortable. I hope you'll join us there for the Slow Food South Bay June restaurant visit on Tuesday June 5th at 7 pm. Here's a link to the restaurant's web site http://www.illusionssuperclub.com.

Pot Luck at Lynn Fielder's

Tuesday, May 29th, 2007

Palo Alto, CA

If you are a current Slow Food member, been meaning to reconnect with your convivium, or are curious to learn more about the international movement that is changing the way we think about and enjoy our food, then please RSVP to come to the first Slow Food South Bay (formerly the Silicon Valley convivium) POT LUCK. Bring your favorite dish to share. I believe Pot Lucks should be just that - luck - so no assigned foods or food rules. I'll provide beverages and service. I have special guests and other things in the works so reserve your space soon and see you on the 29th.

November Monthly Convivium Dinner

Tuesday, November 14th, 2006

New Kapadokia, 2399 Broadway St., Redwood City, CA

This event will be on the 2nd Tuesday in November because the New Kapadokia is not open on Mondays.

About the Monthly Convivium Dinner: On the 2nd Monday of each month, members of Slow Food Silicon Valley will gather to have dinner at a local restaurant. The Purpose of the monthly dinners is to meet other Convivium members, experience a restaurant you may not have been to and help us create a list of recommended restaurants for our website!

First Annual Slow Food South Bay Picnic

Saturday, October 14th, 2006

Cuesta Park, Mountain View, CA

Held at beautiful Cuesta Park in Mountain View, and catered by our own Jesse Cool’s CoolEatz Catering, with wine, beer, and soft drinks from Randy Robinson’s Vino Locale, this will be an event not to be missed!

This is a great opportunity to have great Slow food and wine, and meet other current and prospective Convivium members (so feel free to bring a non slow foodie!).

This event is also a fundraiser – all proceeds will go towards supporting Terra Madre.

October Monthly Convivium Dinner

Monday, October 9th, 2006

Estrellita's Restaurant, Los Altos, CA

The first Monthly Convivium Dinner was held at Estrellita's Restaurant on San Antonio Rd in Los Altos. The sixteen attendees appear to be having a good time. The food was great and the company extraordinary.

About the Monthly Convivium Dinners: On the 2nd Monday of each month, members of Slow Food Silicon Valley will gather to have dinner at a local restaurant. The Purpose of the monthly dinners is to meet other Convivium members, experience a restaurant you may not have been to and help us create a list of recommended restaurants for our website!

Progressive Dinner in Los Altos Hills

Friday, September 22nd, 2006

The event began at Craig Murray's The Farm with bruschetta, went on to the Jensens' egg, milk, and honey farm for quiche and cheeses with honey, and finished at Ann Duwe's home for smoked porkchops, ratatouille, mashed potatoes, and dessert of lemon cream served in lemons.

The photo shows the group at Craig Murray's farm.

The Rhone Rangers meet Slow Food

Sunday, August 14th, 2005

Vino Locale, Palo Alto

Hiyo, Silver, slow down, and enjoy the food and wine!

Vino Locale, Slow Food Silicon Valley Convivium and the Bay Area chapter of the Rhone Rangers team up to bring you an event that's sure to make you linger!

Wines from Bonny Doon Vineyard, River Run Vintners and Martella. Representatives of the wineries will guide us in the tasting. Amazing food by Vino Locale.

Slow Food Apollo Olive Oil Tasting and Class

Saturday, February 19th, 2005

Vino Locale, 431 Kipling Street, Palo Alto

Steven Dambeck, founder, grower and miller of Apollo Olive Oil , will offer a class on olive oil at Vino Locale. The class will include tasting different European and Californian oils. Also, it will cover olive oil history, what is a rectified oil and what is extra virgin and finally, why it became such a main ingredient in modern cuisine.

The cost for the class is $10 per person. Class sized is limited so RSVP via email to Randy Robinson or call Call (650) 328-0450

Here is a little more information on Steven and Apollo Olive Oil.
After living in Greece and Sicily for few years, and after receiving his formal training as a miller in Les Baux, Provence, Steven came back to the Foothills of the Sierra Nevada, in California, to develop organic agriculture in the area and to make his own olive oil. He is a member of the C.O.O.C. (California Olive Oil Council).

Apollo Olive Oil stands apart from other producers of premium California olive oil, not only because of the awards it so consistently wins, but also because of its artisanal, hand-made processing. They hand pick from their own groves of organically certified olive trees located in the distinctive soil of the Sierra Nevada foothills. Within 24 hours the olives are milled using a centuries old technique by their own Italian granite press. The oil is then expertly blended under the guidance of Edward Schulten, one of only 30 Americans approved to taste oil by the California Olive Oil Council.

Taste Harvest

Saturday, November 20th, 2004

Los Gatos

Join Savior-Boire winemaker Tom Robinson for a slow wine-tasting afternoon in his cozy log cabin above Los Gatos in the Santa Cruz Mountains. There, Tom and his Australian wife Helen live amongst twelve acres of vines, owned by the Thomas Fogarty winery where Tom has been the assistant winemaker over the last six years.

Graze on breads and local cheese, warm with squash soup and root vegetables by organic chef Poppy de Garmo. A short hike through the vineyard will be followed by a guided tasting of some of Tom's syrah-based wines and selected others, including a dip straight into the barrel.

Come enjoy the mountains and taste the harvest. Space limited to thirty thirsty imbibers at $20 ($25 for non-Slow Food members).

Please email Jen Upson with the names of people in your party to reserve your spot. Then send a check payable to Slow Food Silicon Valley to
Jen Upson
725 Crompton Rd.
Redwood City, CA 94061

I will email you directions to Tom's house.

French Cooking for the Home Chef

Thursday, November 11th, 2004

Additonal Class on November 18th

Learn how to easily and quickly prepare both classic and modern French dishes in a home kitchen. A new series of three, one-night classes starts October 21st in Palo Alto, and continues on November 11th and 18th. Each class presents a complete, three-course menu from start to finish—from raw ingredients to service—the entire process is demonstrated—nothing is prepared before the class begins.

Some of the dishes scheduled to be taught include velouté d’avocat, a rich, velvety soup prepared from avocados and cheese; croustillants de « tilapia » aux amandes, sauce citron et pastis, almond-encrusted tilapia filets with a pastis and lemon sauce; and crêpes aux pommes flambées, filled crepes with flambéed apples.

Each class starts promptly at 6:30 pm and lasts about three hours. Each class includes the complete meal prepared that evening, not just a tasting. The classes are designed as observation classes, but there is some opportunity for hands-on participation for those wishing the experience. All preparation of each dish is demonstrated during the evening. Besides preparation of the night’s menu, an emphasis is placed on the individual techniques required to complete all three courses.

Each class costs $75, including food. All classes are taught in Peter’s kitchen in Palo Alto, California, and are limited to four students. For complete information go to à la carte class information.

Potluck Picnic at Mariquita Farms

Saturday, September 4th, 2004

Hollister, CA

Please join Slow Food Silicon Valley for a potluck picnic at Mariquita Farms. Come just for the picnic or pick tomatoes and basil at the farm between 10 and 3 PM. Kids are welcome.

Our hosts, Andy and Julia, will talk about farming in the Bay Area and how their CSA program works.

There will be a grill available for grilling freshly harvested tomatoes, zucchini, eggplants, and whatever else is ripe. Please bring a dish or beverage to share and the recipe. There will be no kitchen, oven or refrigerator.

Please bring plates, dinnerware, and a refillable container for beverages to reduce waste. Chairs or a blanket to sit on would also be a good idea.

Directions to the farm are available at http://mariquita.com

Please email Jen Upson if you are attending so we can get a rough idea of how many participants to expect. The picnic is free for members and Slow Food requests a $5 donation for non-members or expired members.

Cantor Museum Event

June 28, Way back in the past

Stanford University

Read about a big event held at the Cantor Museum some time in the early days of Slow Food Silicon Valley.

Event Description and Photos in Valley Scene.

Column by Brian Adams in Valley Scene.

©2011 Slow Food: South Bay Chapter. All rights reserved. Site credit.