Southeast Asia’s Rich Food Biodiversity at Terra Madre Salone del Gusto

Organized by Slow Food in collaboration with the Region of Piedmont and the City of Turin, the 12^th edition of Terra Madre Salone del Gusto, the world’s most important international event dedicated to food culture, will be held from September 20 to 24, 2018, in Turin, Italy. Over 5,000 delegates from 140 countries, over 800 exhibitors, 300 Slow Food Presidia, and 500 Terra Madre food communities are taking part in the event.

Slow Food’s delegation from Southeast Asia consists of about 65 people, including family farmers, producers, chefs, academics, activists from the Slow Food Youth Network (SFYN), students, representatives of indigenous communities, and the International Councilor for Southeast Asia, Pacita Juan. Speaking about the event, Juan says, “I am extremely proud to be part of the international network that is Slow Food, and to represent a delegation that will take part in Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2018. Food for change is the theme of this 12^th edition and I am sure that, through exchange and dialogue with people who differ in culture, language, and customs, everyone of us will return home richer and with new enthusiasm for pursuing our activities and striving for a better future for our planet.”

The International Market, located in the Lingotto Fiere and Oval, will host an area dedicated to showcasing the extraordinary gastronomic diversity of the Philippines with a focus on Ark of Taste products. For five days, the stand will host a succession of foods and flavors: Each day a different region of the Philippines archipelago will take over and, during meals time, offer traditional regional dishes incorporating Ark of Taste products. During afternoons, it will be possible to taste coffee and non-alcoholic beverages from the given area and, each evening at aperitivo time, Kalel Demetrio will prepare cocktails using Ark of Taste products. Known as Liquido Maestro, Kalel has spent the better part of the past decade researching and documenting rare and little-known regional Filipino produce and ingredients.

On Friday, the Terra Madre Forum Mountain Producers (September 21 at 1:00 p.m. – Torino Lingotto Fiere) will discuss policies that are in place to protect those who choose life in the mountains and promote the work of young generations who invest their future in these difficult territories. This event falls within the FAO Mountain Partnership program, an international platform that aims to support the sustainable development of mountainous areas and enhance the value of their products. Slow Food is collaborating with a series of initiatives around the world. During the Forum, a Southeast Asian delegate will share his personal experience with the public.

On Saturday, in the thematic area dedicated to Seeds, the Terra Madre Forum The Philippines: A Land of Rice will take place (September 22 at 1:00 p.m. – Torino Lingotto Fiere). Rice is one of the staples of Filipino cuisine, accompanying every dish and even used in some traditional desserts. This Forum will highlight two native rice varieties from the Ark of Taste: imbuucan, cultivated on irrigated terraces between 500 and 1,200 meters above sea level; and the gluten-rich, sticky ominio, grown in the mountains of the northern Philippines.

At the Terra Madre Kitchen there will be a slot dedicated to coffees from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand and a kitchen where chefs from Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia will alternate. Precise dates and times are still being confirmed.

The Indonesian chef Charles Toto, founder of the Jungle Chef Community, a network of enthusiasts from across the Indonesian region of Papua who promote sustainable living and environmental protection through local cuisine, will be at Terra Madre Salone del Gusto, along with three Indonesian Presidia: Cingagoler Honey from Cerana Bees, Heritage Yogyakarta Banana Varieties, and Tengkawang Nut Oil.

Other Terra Madre Forum that include speakers from South Asian countries are:

Nuts and Oil Seeds (September 20 at 2:00 p.m. – Torino Lingotto Fiere)

Almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts, and even sunflower, flax, sesame, and pumpkin seeds, oil seeds are found throughout the world. These small, precious allies of our well-being will be explored.

Historical Gardens, Living Gardens (September 22 at 2:00 p.m. – Torino Lingotto Fiere)

A forum about historic gardens and woods that preserve ancient varieties of apples, figs, bananas, and oranges. The story of the Banana Germplasm Garden in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, which contains over 300 varieties, will be featured, among others.

Cultivating Cities (September 22 at 4:00 p.m. – Torino Lingotto Fiere)

No matter where we are in the world, cultivating our own food is good for the environment, for our health, and for our soul.

Salt: a History of Flavor (September 23 at 2:00 p.m. – Torino Lingotto Fiere)

A forum dedicated to learning more about traditional salts from Slow Food producers around the world.

Taste Workshops and Cooking Schools are paid and can be purchased online; the Terra Madre thematic Forums are presented by delegates of the network and are open to the public as long as seats are available. Click here for the list of available events, which is constantly updated.

Pacita Juan – International Councillor for South East Asia

 [email protected]

Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2018 Press Office

Slow Food, +39 329 83 212 85 [email protected] – Twitter: @SlowFoodPress

Region of Piedmont, +39 011 432 2549 – [email protected]

City of Turin, +39 011 011 21976 – +39 342 1100131 – [email protected]

To request press accreditation, please click here.

Terra Madre Salone del Gusto is an event organized by the City of Turin, Slow Food, and the Region of Piedmont in collaboration with MIPAAF (Italy’s Ministry for Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies). It has been made possible thanks to its many sponsors, including the Official Partners, GLEvents-Lingotto Fiere, IREN, Lavazza, Lurisia, Parmigiano Reggiano, Pastificio Di Martino and Quality Beer Academy; with the support of Compagnia di San Paolo, Fondazione CRT-Cassa di Risparmio di Torino, Associazione delle Fondazioni di Origine Bancaria del Piemonte, and Coldiretti; and with the contribution of IFAD, the European Union, and CIA (Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori).

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.