SLOW FOOD MIAMI
Most serious foodies have most likely heard about the Slow Food Movement...if not already members in good standing. The movement, which started in Italy, came about as a response to the ubiquitous fast food culture of our era and the threat it continues to pose towards good food, good health, and eating well. Slow Food continues to be one of the most prominent organizations in supporting good, natural food that is environmentally and socially responsible with chapters throughout the world, including one in Miami. On Friday, March 15th, South Florida locals can take part in Slow Food Miami’s 2nd Annual Snail of Approval Tasting Party, which will be hosted by Chef Norman Van Aken and Deco Drive’s Louis Aguirre and honors chefs, restaurants, mixologists, and others in the food industry who consistently support local, seasonal, organic, and fair agriculture in the food and drinks that they serve.
Miami has become a culinary force to be reckoned with. Not only do we have an ever expanding roster of fantastic chefs, unforgettable restaurants, and unique dives, but now we are starting to take food, as a whole, a lot more seriously. You know when attitudes towards food begin to change towards the better when major food-related organizations like Slow Food International take root in a city, like they did in Miami. This Monday, December 10th, you can see firsthand just how serious the 305 is becoming about food when the new Slow Food Miami Fountain is unveiled at the Miami Culinary Institute Gardens. In addition to the unveiling, Miamians (and our seasonal visitors, too) can enjoy a multicourse meal by James Beard award-winning chef, Susan Spicer, who is one of the authorities on New Orleans cuisine. All of this coincides with Terra Madre Day, an annual celebration of sustainable, good, clean, and fair food that is celebrated by 150 Slow Food Countries throughout the world.
It’s that time of year again when the weather cools down enough in South Florida to have a pleasurable picnic...an outdoors picnic where you don’t have to bring a change of clothes after you’ve sweated through your first outfit. It’s also the time of year when Slow Food Miami hosts its annual Thighs & Pies Pie Contest & Picnic at The Barnacle Historic State Park. On Saturday, November 3rd, the historic house in Coconut Grove - which is interesting enough to warrant a visit any other time of the year - will be celebrating that All-American dessert, the pie, with a competition featuring up to thirty different pies submitted by South Florida locals. Along with the competition, there will be a delicious picnic featuring natural, antibiotic-free fried chicken from FreeBird, as well as tasty sides and sweet treats donated by Whole Foods Market in Coral Gables. This family friendly event will also include live music by Matthew Sabatella and the Rambling String Band to get things into a festive spirit.
On their continued mission to support the growing urban farm culture and sustainable farming methods, Slow Food Miami brings you the “Grow Your Dinner” event under the stars in a collaborative effort with Green Railway Organic Workshop (GROW) to host the event. Taking place on Saturday, November 12th, at the Workshop’s urban farm, the dinner will include a homemade Vietnamese dinner made by GROW’s Director of Education, Thi Square, and an exclusive tour of the Workshop’s burgeoning urban farm.
There is no dessert more quintessentially American than a pie. Although the English gave us the tradition, we Americans seem to have taken it to a whole other level with as many varieties as there are people living in the United States. Almost every region of this country has its own particular pie or style of pie-making, including South Florida with its signature Key Lime Pie. However, given the extensive variety of tropical fruit that calls South Florida home, it’s nothing short of a wonder why there are not more pies that celebrate our local produce. The Miami chapter of Slow Food USA has set out to change that with its first annual Thighs And Pies event this Saturday, September 10, at The Barnacle Historic State Park in Coconut Grove.
Up to thirty pies will compete in a pie contest that features fruit and ingredients grown in South Florida and must be sweetened only with locally-grown sugars or honeys, as well, in the hopes of promoting local cooks to turn to their lush, tropical backyard for their baking inspiration. Judges will include Lee Brian Schrager (founder of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival), Hedy Goldsmith (pastry chef of Micheal’s Genuine Food & Drink), and Arianna Kumpis (president of Les Dames D’Escoffier Miami). Prizes are being donated by Whole Foods Market in Coral Gables and Breville Appliances.
After winners are announced at 1:00 PM, there will be a pie sale to benefit Slow Food Miami’s Edible School Garden Program. On top of experiencing the excitement of a pie competition amid the beautiful grounds of this historic Old Florida house, attendees will also be partaking in Sustain Restaurant + Bar’s organic Tanglewood Farms fried chicken, as well as side dishes and other goodies provided by Whole Foods. There will be entertainment throughout the event, too.
Thighs & Pies Annual Pie Contest
When:
Saturday, September 10, 2011
12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Where:
Barnacle Historic State Park
3485 Main Highway
Coconut Grove, FL
Admission:
$35 for adults
$15 for children 5 to 15
For more information, please visit http://www.slowfoodmiami.com/thighsandpies.htm
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