"Do It Slow" Banchetto Launches Slow Food Canada's National Meeting 2009

The "Do It Slow" Banchetto was hosted by Slow Food Toronto. It was a spectacular affair, with Chef Jamie Kennedy leading 25 of the city's best chefs in the creation of the banquet. Delicious regional wines were paired with the evening's incredible seasonal dishes.

The lighting at the Banchetto made picture taking a challenge, so these photos begin on Saturday May 2, with our workshop day. The views from my 23rd floor corner room at The Metropolitan Hotel were spectacular. Our meeting was held at the brand new "Chef's House" dining room and teaching facility at George Brown College.

All photos are by *karen b except pics

of Jamie Kennedy and Rosewood Estate Winery

Anise Docherty (r) of Slow Food Halton-Peel and Legal Advisor to Slow Food Canada

breaks it down.

Signor Carlo Petrini, Founder of the Slow Food Movement inspires the troops,

well- translated by the lovely Lilia Smelkova.

Rebecca LeHeup-Bucknell of Slow Food Prince Edward County with Daniel Speck

of Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery.

Front and centre is Arlene Stein of Slow Food Toronto, in the background: Sinclair Philip of Sooke Harbour House (B.C.) and Canadian Councillor to International Slow Food Board, Mary from Slow Food Thunder Bay, Derek from the Lailey Vineyards winery.

Mara Jernigan, acting President of Slow Food Canada, on the left.

The bubbly we sipped that afternoon was named in honour of Speck's ancestor, Catharine Smith.

We were also fortunate enough to visit Rosewood Estate Winery, where we were led through

a delicious tasting of three kinds of mead by Sommelier Karen LaVigne (not pictured).

Johane Germain from Quebec is snap-happy as we visit the delightful "Taste of Niagara" food boutique. We were met by the owner, some of the food vendors, and Lynn Ogryzlo, author of the sensational and award-winning Niagara Cooks.