08 August 2007, 15:25 PM
  • A group of six Cheshire food lovers have joined forces to fight for the county’s culinary heritage - and against fast food and over processed food.

Their work has now been recognised formally by Slow Food, with “Slow Food Cheshire” being launched as the latest addition to a worldwide movement whose UK base is the “foodie capital” of Ludlow, Shropshire.

Slow Food started in the northern Italian town of Bra 20 years ago after a journalist, Carlo Petrini, reacted with horror when a McDonalds opened up next to the Spanish Steps in Rome.

Petrini founded Slow Food as a response to the threat posed by fast food to the much-loved traditions of fine quality local and regional cuisine in Italy. There are now 80,000 members in more than 100 countries and over 40 local groups, known as “convivia”, in the U.K. alone.

“Cheshire has some of the finest pasture in Britain and can produce the very best of meat and dairy products. Our new Slow Food group will support good local producers of food and drink and encourage new ones,” said convivium leader, Geoffrey Carr, from Grappenhall, Cheshire. “We are now in the process of planning a full and varied programme of events for 2008, which will include farm visits, tastings, dinners, events with other Slow Food groups in the UK and at least one trip abroad. We are working on some exciting ideas for weekend visits to Italy and France.

“There will be an emphasis on children and education, with a fun event called a ‘taste workshop’ in our plans. Our aim is to make our events really enjoyable for all participants. Otherwise Slow Food Cheshire will not thrive and be effective.”

Geoffrey Carr, a former City retail expert, is joined on the founding committee by Roger Barlow, a wine merchant from Stockton Heath, Peter Harris, a public relations consultant from Northwich, John Hardwick, a wine manager from Macclesfield, Andrew Jackson, a farmer who also runs a traditional meat business from Nantwich and Tom Smail, from Altrincham, who describes himself as “a well travelled food lover”. “The time for Slow Food has come and we are strongly motivated to make a success of it in Cheshire,” said Mr Carr.

If you would like to find out more about Slow Food Cheshire or want to know about events please e-mail Geoffrey Carr on geoffreycarr1@aol.com or call him on 07802 392 537.