This article is from page 35 of the 2008-05-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 35 JPG
THEY say that time waits for no-one. In Lisdoonvarna later this month however, time will gladly take a little rest and wait for a nice bite to eat.
After a gap of three years, the Bur- ren Slow Food Festival returns to north Clare from May 23 to 25. The three day festival will promote all that’s best about local produce and natural ingredients and all that is good about eating.
“Slow Food is all about local pro- duce. It’s about good food and pro- ducing food with heart that’s fresh and sourced locally. It’s about the way the chef puts all his heart into
producing something great for some- one else to eat. It’s about the way we eat it – about making time to sit down around the table and have a meal to- gether,” said festival organiser Bir- gitta Hedin-Curtin.
“Slow food is the total opposite of fast food. It started in Italy in 1986 when the first McDonald’s came into Rome.
“There was a movement to protect the traditional food culture and that has spread all over the world.
“We need to start educating chil- dren about what good food is. To look at what they have in their lunch- box and what they eat when they come home.”
The festival, sponsored by Shannon Development and Flo Gas, will be officially opened in the Lisdoonvar- na Town Hall before an evening of Slow Food will be hosted at local ea- teries including Sheedys, Cullinans, the Roadford House, Ballinalacken Castle and Gregan’s Castle.
Some highlights of Saturday in- clude a cookery demonstration from celebrity chefs Clodagh McKenna and Aidan McGrath of Doonbeg Golf Club, a presentation from John McKenna of the Bridgestone Guide, talks from local producers including Siobhan Garvey from St Tola’s goats cheese and a gala dinner in the new Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre.
On Sunday local guides Shane Connoly and Mary Howard will lead a walk through the Burren. The walk will end up at Gregan’s Castle for a slow food lunch featuring dishes in- cluding local honey.
“It’s going to be very pack week- end,’ continued Birgitta.
“The festival will finish on Sunday night in the town hall with Supper Theatre. It’s a three act play – the au- dience will watch an act, then have some slow food, and then back to the theatre.”
For more details or to book tickets contact the Burren Smoke House at 065 7074432 or check out www. slowfoodireland.ie