Locavore Adventures: One Chef's Slow Food Journey

Weaver, chef and owner of Tre Piani Restaurant in Princeton, New Jersey, describes his work with the Slow Food movement%E2%80%94an international association founded by Carlo Petrini in Italy in 1989 dedicated, in Weaver's words, to "support[ing] authentic food that's been grown and enjoyed as close to its source as possible." Weaver explains that Slow Food is as much a dietary guide as it is a resistance to an increasingly fast-paced world, and relates the stories of several individuals who adhere to the Slow Food philosophy. Eran Wajswol, a former real estate developer, traded "his wingtips and pinstripes for a hair net, black rubber boots, and overalls with suspenders" to become a successful cheesemaker. Weaver also writes of Pegi Ballister-Howells, an early supporter of Slow Food who insists that "People need to understand that family dinners are critical, and kids need to know that fresh food is good." In addition to offering a compelling look at the Slow Food movement in his neck of the woods, Weaver also provides resources for new converts and old adherents, including numerous recipes, relevant websites, and "The Slow Food Manifesto," which admirably advocates a program of "international exchange of experiences, knowledge, and projects," all in the name of good food and a better life. Photos. (Feb.)