Slow Food Noosa was founded in 2005. We conduct a minimum of 16 events a year, including a monthly Breakfast at 8.00 am on the last Thursday of each month (February- November inclusive), and six Events.
We support local Growers and local Food Artisans. For example, in 2011 we donated $1,000 to the Blue Hills Poultry Stud, devastated by the January 2011 Lockyer Valley flood, to help Mark Tully continue his world-leading work in conserving rare domestic animal breeds.
We promote the Slow Food Philosophy, including to local primary school children through the Slow Food School Garden Project sponsorship.
VALUE STATEMENT
By becoming a Member and by attending and participating in our events, you will get the opportunity to:
- Learn about & support the Slow Food Philosophy and become involved in local & overseas projects
- Be inspired, stimulated and entertained by local Growers & Food Artisans
- Make new friends & stay in touch with the local Slow Food community
- Enjoy wonderful food & wine in magical Noosa
FROM LITTLE THINGS BIGGER THINGS GROW
Slow Food Noosa first began in Pomona in 2003. The original 5 members were: Kali Neilson, Shane Stanley, Dale Scott, Kim Wherrett and Leonie Palmer, with Leonie and Kim sharing the title of ‘Co–Leader’. Leonie and Kali had both been members of Slow Food Italy and were motivated to start a Convivium here on the Sunshine Coast.
The first event was a Long Table lunch featuring a magnificent feast from organic, natural and native ingredients. Leonie says “We invited anyone we could interest in the idea of Slow, anyone, really anyone who would listen to us at that stage and who would bring along a food offering for our shared table. Not many brought a plate but as we had over catered perfectly, lunch was a deliciously roaring success.”
They went on to hold a number of food markets at Pomona with music, agricultural information, local produce and the conversation between farmers, producers and the general public began. Leonie says their motto was “from little things, big things grow” and she and Kim felt that the Slow Food philosophy was very much associated with film, art, literature and lifestyle.
With Pomona being a small town, the enthusiasm for events dwindled a little and it was decided to focus more on the population of Noosa. Some time in late 2004/early 2005 a public meeting was held at Noosa Springs. Leonie recounts, “We whipped up the media we could, appealed to chefs, service staff, sommeliers and friends. At our appointed starting time there were about 6 people present, so we began our Slow spiel and by the time we had finished we were delighted to find our attentive, questioning audience had swelled to a more than a respectable 40+.” They signed up around 25 people on the spot and SF Noosa was up and running. Membership quickly built to around 80 people that first year. There were some memorable events in 2005 including an Australia Day event at Alfresco, and a Spring Fair at the Coolabine Goats Farm near Kenilworth.
Leonie and Kim stepped down in 2006, and Matt Golinski took over the reins supported by Rachel Dunham as Co-Leader. By 2007 Matt was sole President and remained so until 2009. Matt initiated our School Garden Projects and also our Film with Food nights in conjunction with The Noosa Long Weekend. The first Film with Food in 2007 was Like Water For Chocolate. Matt excelled himself with a thirteen course menu to match the recipes in the book, with exotic dishes such as quails with a rose petal sauce. Matt retired as president in 2008 but has continued to be a tireless supporter and volunteer for Slow Food Noosa Functions.
In 2009 Daniel Mosedale became President. Daniel’s skills as chef and organizer of some outstanding dinners, including Slow Fish, Slow Bird and Slow Cheese, saw Slow Food Noosa become the most financially secure since its inception. Both Matt and Daniel were hugely assisted by the efforts of Anne Marshall as Secretary for the years 2008 – 2010. Anne’s energy and dedication is unsurpassed, and our members and Committee recognize her enormous contribution to Slow Food Noosa in the last three years.
2011
In 2011 under the guidance of Katrina Ryan as President, we were able to assist Sunshine Beach State School with funding to have a garden coordinator oversee the permaculture program for the school garden to flourish.
With the help of Leonie Shanahan we sponsored our 6th Slow Food School Gardens Program at Eumundi State School to create an extensive food forest with fruit trees, bush tucker trees and edible understorey plants.
Slow Food Noosa held 10 breakfast meetings this year, introducing local producers and growers from the Sunshine Coast region and educating us about what they do.
As part of Noosa Long Weekend Festival, Slow Food Noosa showcased the movie ‘Julie & Julia’, a funny film with a delicious 3 course French themed menu.
In July Slow Food Noosa enjoyed a ‘Nose to Tail’ Pork cooking class set in the surrounds of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. This was followed 2 weeks later by ‘Paddock to Plate’ bbq, a family fun day at the Peregian Community House, showcasing a range of delicious pork products from organic pig farmers Megan and Wil Seiler.
The Presidents Fundraising Dinner was held at the Waterfront Restaurant in Noosaville with a live auction of goods donated by local businesses. The outcome was very successful.
Terra Madre Day was celebrated at Peregian Community House with an al fresco Middle Eastern themed long lunch, beautiful food cooked by local Slow Foodies and chefs, we were entertained by two local belly dancers.
2012
Slow Food Noosa’s project for 2012 is establishing a School Garden at United Synergies.
Sunshine Coast Council has donated one and a half hectares of land adjoining United Synergies in Tewantin, for the ‘peoples’ garden. The project has two stages and major sponsor of Stage 1 is Slow Food Noosa, who promote healthy eating in school children as well as the wider community. Slow Food Noosa has donated $6000 towards covering the costs of Leonie Shanahan of Edible School Garden to educate students about Permaculture, including the design and maintenance process of organic gardening.
Learning how to produce our own food in a sustainable way is vital for community wellbeing. For our children to have a chance to learn about sustainable food production hands-on at school is invaluable.
Slow Food Noosa begun 2012 by joining the Greek Association of the Sunshine Coast for their Independence Day celebrations at Maleny Mountain Wines for a day of traditional Greek feasting and dancing. The Zorba express took us directly to Maleny for a day of fun.
We have continued to introduce local farmers and producers at our 10 monthly breakfasts throughout the year, educating and informing us of sustainable farming practices. We aim to put the pleasure back into eating by re-enforcing the connection between plate and planet.
In October we will visit Obi Obi to have a Spring Picnic in the Olive Grove, a long lunch amongst the olives groves with a menu prepared by two local chefs shared by family and friends.
As this year is ‘The Year of the Farmer’ we will celebrate together on Terra Madre Day with other regions across Australia to highlight the farmer, but also give greater national profile for Slow Food Australia. A selection of local farmers will join us on the day to showcase their produce on 9th December 2012.
Erika Hackett, President Slow Food Noosa 2012
