Calling all gastronomes to Liguria

With the UK held firmly in the grip of a food renaissance, buzz words such as provenance, traceability and sustainability are becoming common parlance.
 
For those who like to combine their passions of food and travel, the region of Liguria in North West Italy is heaven. Like many Italian destinations, gastronomy is a priority, but Liguria differs as its position in Italy is unique. Straddling both the mountains and the coast the region is renowned for its cuisine that features produce from both the sea and the land and is the birthplace of pesto.
 
Slow Fish, the annual two day event held by Slow Food and Regione Liguria, is an unmissable event for foodies. Now in its fifth year the event will be held from the 27th – 30th May in Genova, the capital of the region.
 
Slow Food is a network of 100,000 members in 150 countries – grouped in 1,300 local chapters. The aim of Slow Food is to develop activities, projects and events at a local, regional and global level all promoting local and regional cooking and produce. To date there are more than 5,000 Slow Food initiatives each year, 10,000 small producers involved in 338 ‘Presidia’ projects, 1,300 food education activities and 350 school gardens in 100 countries
 
Focusing on sustainability issues and working practices, for 2011 the event will look at fishing as a profession, small coastal fishing practices and the balance between the economic right of the fishermen and the delicate ecological balance in the light of new laws. For 2011 Slow Fish will take visitors through a journey considering the history of fishing including artisanal fishing, and its place now in the modern world against a backdrop of failing fish stocks and modern fishing methods
 
In addition to the serious element of the event, there is a fun side to Slow Fish. Residents and holidaymakers alike can buy fresh and preserved fish, oils, spices, salts and seaweeds. Exhibitors have been asked to showcase products that do not contain artificial preservatives or flavorings, and to not sell blue fin tuna, swordfish and salmon, all overfished species at serious risk of extinction. Stallholders set up street food stalls and in 2010 over 3,700 paninis were sold in just three days! In addition there will be an ‘enoteca’ serving samples of high-quality local produce from the sea and land.
 
For more information on Slow Fish please visit: slowfood.com/slowfish

British Airways has one way flights from London Gatwick to Genova starting at £49pp including all taxes and charges April and May 2011, visit: ba.com