I found a reference to this on Foxnews.com.
As a past restaurateur, semi-trained chef and all-around gastronaut, the concepts of taking it slow at the table, using fresh, locally-grown product and exploring the plethora of different cooking techniques and seasonings available from all around the world have been soap-box fodder for many, many years.
Likewise, although I'll eat it if there's NOTHING else (or I've had a few too many MacEwans XXX Oatmeal Stouts), the thought of anything served in a paper wrapper or cardboard box brings a sneer of derision on most occasions.
Which is why, when I first saw this, I hoped against hope that I had finally found some kindred spirits, some fellow gastropods who simply wanted some great chow done right.
Why is nothing simple?
Turns out that, although they do seem sincere about the whole culinary thing, it's in an incestuous relationship with the anti-global, "all biogen is bad," Luddite mindset.
Here are some examples, good and bad:
Good (the opening sentences of the history section):
The founding father of the Slow Food Movement, Carlo Petrini, recognized in 1986 that the industrialization of food was standardizing taste and leading to the annihilation of thousands of food varieties and flavors. Concerned that the world was quickly reaching a point of no return, he wanted to reach out to consumers and demonstrate to them that they have choices over fast food and supermarket homogenization.
This is the stuff that dreams are made of. Though there are literally thousands of kinds of cheese, most supermarkets will carry a dozen, maybe 15 at most, different varieties. Have you ever heard of Himalayan Red Rice? GREAT stuff! Can you get it at your local Kroger? If so, count yourself incredibly fortunate, and the manager responsible will probably soon be fired or quit.
Even the so-called "specialty shops' like Trader Joe's or Wild Oats carry only a small slice of things not found at Meijer - just enough to keep them perceptably different. In reality, the exigencies of mass production and transportation have made real variety a thing of the past.
So, perhaps a collection of individuals dedicated to the rescusitation of the demand for new, different and wonderful culinary elements may change that. Maybe, just maybe, if the demand for variety and breadth of culinary ingredient could be expanded and enriched, economies of scale could be harnessed and "drive-thru" might just be made obsolete . . .
But no.
Here's the other side:
Our century, which began and has developed under the insignia of industrial civilization, first invented the machine and then took it as its life model.We are enslaved by speed and have all succumbed to the same insidious virus: Fast Life, which disrupts our habits, pervades the privacy of our homes and forces us to eat Fast Foods.
To be worthy of the name, Homo Sapiens should rid himself of speed before it reduces him to a species in danger of extinction.
A firm defense of quiet material pleasure is the only way to oppose the universal folly of Fast Life.
May suitable doses of guaranteed sensual pleasure and slow, long-lasting enjoyment preserve us from the contagion of the multitude who mistake frenzy for efficiency.
What?
So-o-o-o it's not really a culinary society dedicated to enriching the quality and variety of meats, vegetables and grains available to use as it is an offshoot of Direct Action or The Red Brigades?
Maybe it just sounds that way since the founder is Italian - we may just be dealing with some, umm, creative translations here. There is hope. Kind of. In a way. Here - see for yourself:
ARTICLE 1.
Principles of Governance1. We embrace diversity of opinion to enhance the democratic process and seek to effectively balance the powers of governance among those entities defined in this National Statute.
2. We believe that governance works best when trust exists among members. Thus, we strive to develop trust through all of our actions and to provide transparency in our governance.
3. We use respectful, clear, honest and robust dialogue to achieve consensus in making decisions. Consensus is defined as a mutually accepted group position or an agreement good enough for all members to move ahead. This means that there is no strong objection by any one or more group members and those who are not in full accord give their consent to the balance of the group. If consensus cannot be achieved or consent is not given, we will adopt majority rule through votes.
4. We recognize that people are imperfect beings. Therefore, we respect each other's imperfections by practicing compassion in our relationships.
OK. Diversity of opinion, transparency in governance, consesnus with an aversion to strong objection and the perception that hey, we're all human. Golly, Washington could use some of that.
I don't know. The whole thing sound pretty flakey, but then again, so's a good Wellington. So, we'll see.
