Taste Panel Members required.

What it’s all about

Slow Food Edinburgh runs a Taste Panel with the aim of getting to know our local foods a little better.  Our remit is to discover, taste, research and record examples of good, interesting local food, gradually establishing an authoritative knowledge base which will be independent of the producers themselves and therefore of value not just to other members, but also visitors, chefs, delis etc. By local we are looking towards food associated with Edinburgh and the areas surrounding the Forth - by geographic, historic and individual links. In practical terms we will focus on food and drink produced within a 50 mile radius of Edinburgh. This radius includes the Slow Food convivia of Fife and Linlithgow and so members of these convivial are encouraged to join the Taste Panel as well as Edinburgh Slow Food members.

How it works

The Panel is made up of a group of Slow Food members. The group decides which products to taste, and on a monthly basis each member researches and sources products for the tasting session. In between tasting sessions we keep in touch with each others' plans largely through email.

Then comes the fun bit. Once a month we meet in one of our homes and taste our way through the products, taking notes and discussing as we go. We sort some accompaniments for the tasting and there is usually a bottle of wine involved, it makes the evening more fun and lets the tasting also serve as a meal, albeit not always the most balanced one! The panel is still evolving and we need active members to help grow and develop it.

Tasting sessions might focus on a single product, or might involve comparative tastings with other, similar local products, or other, similar products from elsewhere or abroad. A cheese, for example, might be tasted alongside a cheese from France made in a similar way. Alternatively, a session might cover a range of products from a single producer.

Help wanted

We need more members for the group. We'd like to have a total of 8 to 10 members so that, even with the odd holiday and emergency, we can ensure that there are at least 6 people at each tasting session.

To join the group you must;

• have an interest in local food

• be able to commit a couple of hours or so each month to research and source products for the tasting

• be able to meet up with the Taste Panel at least once a month for the Tasting session. This is likely to be within one of the Edinburgh based member’s homes. We usually meet on the first Wednesday of the month, i.e. 3^rd March, 7^th April etc. Tasting sessions are held in the evening, generally starting at 7.30pm and going on for 2 to 3 hours.

Please note: The tasting sessions are self funded, everyone buys the products that they source and we share them at the tasting session.

How to apply

If you are interested in joining the group please click on this link and complete the online form to tell us a little about yourself.

If you have any questions please email us at taste@slowfoodedinburgh.co.uk.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 31^st January 2010 after which time we will contact everyone who applies and select new members for the group.