Trading Birkenstocks for Barolo.

In my research about Slow Food, I've learned a lot. From the future of postmodern politics, the complex ranking system of Italian wines, and most of all, the importance of pleasure!

My interest in this globalized cultural cause is that it's appealing, digestible, and rebellious! Growing up as a New Yorker, I used to blindly associate environmentalism with Birkenstocks and disdain vegetarians who selflessly refused to eat all things meaty and delicious. However, upon further inspection, I've been able to dispel my own archaic notions about conscious eating and pleasurable living.

Here's why...........

On November 3rd, 1987, the Italian culinary newspaper Gambero Rosso published “il manifesto,”  which articulated the philosophy of “Slow Food.” Upon declaring, “we will welcome lovers of food culture and those who still love the enjoyment of easygoing, slow pleasures," the Slow Food movement was born.

Back in the days when I temper-throwing toddler, Carlo Petrini, the founder of Slow Foods, was traveling the globe promoting a philosophy of slower living, local gastronomy, and the importance of pleasure. Now, as a pseudo adult, I've learned that my childhood tendencies for public outburst are not as endearing when you're almost six feet tall. Another thing I've learned, this time from the Slow Food's man himself, is that it's time to slow down and chill out. (For a New Yorker, it's tough)

To embrace life's simple pleasures, Petrini would insist this process demands tasty food and quality wine. In fact, that's how his global movement came into fruition.....

 (thesis tidbit)

In Italy, Carlo Petrini’s desire to live pleasurably and simplistically was a result of political dissatisfactions. During 1982, Petrini and his close friends ventured to Montalcino in Tuscany to participate in a cultural event hosted by the left wing recreational group, the Arci Langhe. Upon attending a lunch, the poor quality food and wine outraged this young politician, who publicly criticized the Arci Langhe for his dissatisfying meal. After Petrini was told that there were more important political properties than providing quality food, a heated public debated between the local Arci president Andrea Rabissi and Carlo Petrini ensued and inspired the birth of a modern alternative lifestyle. Slowly disengaging from political life, Carlo Petrini and his friends began to promote the importance of life's simple pleasures and individual rights to quality food.


(now back to colloquial rambling)

During my research, I've also learned that the Slow Food founder is obsessed with Italy's regional wines, espcially Barolo, and Italian cuisine. This guy has clearly got his priorities set. For the past month, it's been pretty easy to identify with this impassioned, provocative wino who wants to assert his right to yumminess. However, while a point of contention in the present food world, back in 1987, Slow Food had legs, rather---post-revolutionary, leftist bodies to be more precise.

(new clip)

During the 1980’s, participating in the Slow Food movement served as means to refute displeasing cultural changes. Italian and American leftists faced both political but cultural opposition with the rise of conservative politicians like Ronald Reagan in the United States and Silvio Berlusconi in Italy. Coupled with this spread of Reagan’s conservative values and Berlusconi’s superficial persona, the United States and Italy both experienced the capitalist elite’s increase in power. The worldwide dissemination of enterprises such as McDonalds was a profound indicator of the homogenization and standardization of life’s basic elements, like food. For the counterculture in Italy and America that valued individuality and freedom, these political and cultural realities were often unwelcome changes.

(more thoughts....)

So there's the gist of how Slow Food was born. Seemingly indulgent and appealing, this cultural movement was reacting to profound shifts in 1980's culture and society.

As I've continued to unpack and critique the Slow Food philosophy, its rhetoric has done more than increase my disdain for the college cafeteria. Through Petrini --1980's style-- I've learned to cut through the crap. To be selfish is not superficial. To eat well doesn't make you a fatty. To promote the powers of food, you can assert your right to life's fundamental pleasures. No guilt, just more gastronomical glory.

So go fix something yummy and be selfish.



Oh, and be sure to check out the Food Renegade as well and the site's Fight Back Fridays!

Peace out. TTC.