This was my first time at Terra Madre in Turin, and it was an awesome experience. I had no idea how big this show was going to be, and for one who loves Italian Cheeses I was in heaven. Since 2004, Slow Food has promoted Terra Madre, a network of food communities rich in inspiration and solutions, spread across 170 countries of the globe. These food communities demonstrate that an alternative to intensive agriculture is possible, a model which is kind, delicate, respectful of the earth, the heritage of thousands of years of traditional knowledge.
This was my first time at Terra Madre and in all my years of attending large scale travel trade shows, i was amazed at the size of the event. To put it in perspective, size wise, for those of us in Australia, there were 4 halls for the main part of the exhibition, each hall the size of the entire Brisbane Convention centre (BCEC). Foodie heaven.
The Taste Workshops are a tried-and-tested element of any major Slow Food event, but this year they were back at Terra Madre Salone del Gusto with a fresh new look.
The workshops offered a way of learning while tasting (and smelling, touching, hearing and seeing), stimulating the senses while delving into topical issues and fascinating products and hearing stories directly from the producers. This year the spotlight was on foods, beverages and people—with more international participation than ever before—offering up a rich program of tastings and stories .
With over 900 exhibitors from all regions of Italy, and then the 100 international Slow Food exhibitors including a delegation from Australia, it took stamina and a lot of walking to discover the diversity of products , all available for tasting.
The images here are just a few from my time at Terra Madre, and I reccommend any foodie or lover of the Italian lifestyle to visit the next time it is on, September 2020. Next year will see the big Cheese show, back in Bra, something I will be attending for sure. The Cheeses of Italy were a stand out for me.
These words taken from the website from this years show; Food for change are the foods made in every part of the planet by Slow Food Presidia producers, by Terra Madre food communities, and by the event’s carefully selected exhibitors; all who have become ambassadors for a good, clean and fair way of eating.
The five #foodforchange thematic areas—Slow Meat, Slow Fish, Seeds, Food and Health, Bees and Insects—are this year’s major innovation, creating a thematic program designed along with the Terra Madre communities to speak to everyone.
Among the other unmissable destinations around the event this year are the spaces dedicated to gelato and chocolate, the Presidia café and the brand-new Pizza and Bread Forge,Visitors can also sample gourmet sandwiches with Ark of Taste and Slow Food Presidia fillings.
The Market pavilions stay open until 9.30pm, while street food and beers are served until midnight.
As a result of this show Wine and Food traveller will be working together with a Tour Operator to provide a showcase tour of the Slow Food providers in the Piedmont and Emilia Romagna regions. The tours will coincide with the Cheese show taking place in Piedmont in Sept 2019.
