SLOW FISH FESTIVAL 2018

An inaugural festival sharing local stories and savouring the catch on our own doorstep

On Sunday April 15, Spotswood will become seafood central as Slow Food Melbourne presents the inaugural ‘Slow Fish Festival’. Our oceans and bays and those who rely on them for food or their livelihood are under threat from many fronts – pollution, global warming, illegal and unsustainable fishing, and government regulation.

The inaugural Slow Fish Festival will share insights into the steps needed to save our seafood and aquaculture for now and the future, whilst celebrating and savouring the catch on our very doorstep.

Chef Rosa Mitchell (Rosa’s Canteen) has been working with Slow Food Melbourne to develop the event, and believes there’s a lot to celebrate, and a lot to learn. “Many people have no idea of the incredible seafood bounty in Port Phillip Bay. We want to provide an opportunity for Melburnians to learn how to get their hands on this seafood and to support our local fishers in their sustainable fishing efforts,” says Rosa.

A series of educative talks will place a spotlight on the challenges and triumphs of our local seafood culture. Meet the McAdams, multi-generational fisher folk who have carved a living from Port Phillip Bay; a living now under threat. Hear from Kirsten Abernethy, winner of the Victorian Rural Women’s Award encouraging more women to explore a career in the seafood industry. Learn how to find local edible seaweeds with a local foraging expert.

A seafood market will offer a range of delicious seafood dishes plus a selection of fresh seafood. From revered delicacies such as sea urchin and abalone, to skewered yabbies and scallop pies (plus fish and chips for the traditionalists), stallholders will feature all-local produce. Savour seafood dishes from Batterbing, Kimu Korean Japanese Eatery, Gourmet Pies and Inkredible Calamari, amongst a range of other stallholders, washed down with craft beers from Hop Nation and local wines.

Cooking demonstrations will provide fresh inspiration and some ‘Seafood 101’. Hosted by Rosa Mitchell, some of Melbourne’s most revered chefs and cooks will take to the pans to share their favourite seafood dishes and cooking tips. See Frank Camorra (MoVida), Matt Wilkinson (Pope Joan), Ashley Davis & Sascha Rust (Copper Pot), Thi Le (Anchovy) and Marisa Ranioli Wilkins (All Things Sicilian) in action. A family-friendly event, the little ones are welcome to enjoy some on‐land sea adventuring in the dedicated kids’ activity space.

Event: Slow Fish Festival

Date & Time: Sunday April 15, 2018, 10am to 4pm

Venue: Spotswood‐Kingsville RSL & grounds, 16 Mary Street, Spotswood

Cost: Gold coin entry; nominal fee for select cooking demonstrations and talks (bookings via website)

Further information and bookings: slowfoodmelbourne.com.au

Event updates: Facebook: Slow Fish Australia; Twitter: Slow Food Melbourne

For media queries please contact

Llawela Forrest | 0400 586 991 | [email protected]

Slow Food is a global grassroots organization that envisions a world in which all people can access and enjoy food that is good for them, good for those who grow it and good for the planet. Slow Food involves over a million activists, chefs, experts, youth, farmers, fishers and academics in over 160 countries.