by Stevie Schmidiger
The Taste of Chittering was an amazing experience full of wonderful food and people. I was helping in the Slow Food stall and handing out tasters such as little lupin treats, asparagus risotto, kale and black barley soup as well as a delicious but simple orange and fennel salad. Everyone who came up was lovely and interested in what the Slow Food movement stood for. The day was all about supporting local businesses. To share wonderful food with others is just a new kind of magic. It felt like hundreds of people came even though the weather was slightly drizzly. The surrounding stalls were also full of fantastic products and company. Altogether, the day was a great success.
On the day, Slow food was offering tasters as well as selling food such as hot meat rolls that had perfectly cooked pork and lamb inside that just fell apart and dissolved once it hit your mouth. They also had steaming bowls of asparagus risotto that just seemed to melt in your mouth. The little lupin treats were little sweet round pieces made from lupin flour and covered in a sprinkle of icing sugar. The kale and black barley soup was absolutely perfect for the weather. The warm little bowls were simply delightful when the sky turned and started drizzling. The orange and fennel salad was sensational and was incredibly simple. There was a perfect balance of orange, fennel, extra virgin olive oil, chilli and pepper. It was an inspiring dish.
The company at the Taste of Chittering was also a highlight of the day. The people that were running the stalls around us were very friendly and were lovely to have a chat with. The people in the Locavore store were also very sociable. Everyone was very welcoming. The people that walked along from stall to stall were kind and some were very interested in what Slow Food stood for and the recipes used to make all of the really simple but delicious meals. I loved talking to people that I had never met before and really connecting over something that I loved…..food! It was just amazing to see how food could bring so many lovely people together.
The Taste of Chittering was all about supporting local businesses and promoting beautiful products that people have made themselves. The Locavore store that was there has proudly received a snail of approval from the Slow Food Movement due to its ethically produced products. Hundreds of people came and wandered around under the cloudy sky tasting food and looking at everything around them that has been made locally and with good sources. Sharing all of these wonders was an experience that no one should forget, it is such a unique feeling when you have made something or even just helped in handing out, and then people come and actually show interest in what you have produced.
Throughout the day, people were just streaming through and chatting among themselves and enjoying the time that they were spending altogether. Happiness was flying through the air and lifting everyone’s spirits and bringing joy to a dreary day. The surrounding stalls were full of unique wonders that made the passersby stop, look and sometimes even ask questions. Local products were bought and sold and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who tried them. Beautiful smells drifted around and special moments were shared with strangers and friends alike. The day was wonderful and the food that was produced just made it even better.