Slow Food Festival, Australia

A Taste of Slow, arguably Australia's most fabulous food festival, will be held in Victoria this year from 30 August – 11 September and includes a two-week program of classes, dinners, discussions and tasting opportunities, culminating in experts and chefs and the chance to engage in "produce, pleasure and provocation." For a little Slow Food 411, if you haven't already heard, just envision the nemesis of fast food. This 1986 Italian movement was cooked up in response to the negative impact of multinational food industries and is about using local seasonal produce, restoring time-honoured methods of production and preparation, encouraging ethical treatment of animals and promoting environmentally sustainable methods. They now have 80,000 member restaurants in more than 100 countries (some very surprising ones too.) To celebrate the sensation of taste, and contribute by linking your plate to our planet, check the schedule for Slow Food's multiple soirees. Double dipping allowed.