It’s a go-slow this August, especially in the Robertson Valley where wineries and guesthouses from all over Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor and Robertson are getting ready to welcome guests to the ‘Robertson Slow’ festival from 10-12 August.

Enjoy traditional dinners at the homes of well-known winemaking families or visit the Regional Food Market where the finest offerings from local foodies and cooks will be on show. And don’t forget the wine – still the best reason to visit the Robertson Valley – you can even learn how to blend your own.

If you need a little breather from all that great food and the fun cooking activities, lace up your hiking boots and take a scenic walk through the Renosterveld or try your hand at Nordic Hiking. With a weekend this jam-packed, you’ll probably need a holiday to recover! View the festival programme here.

But where does the term ‘Slow Food’ originate? In 1986 a culinary journalist by the name of Carlo Petrini founded an international movement. It was promoted as an alternative to fast food and encouraged the preservation of traditional and regional cuisines. The Slow Food movement has expanded globally and has well over 100 000 members in over 150 countries. It also promotes and encourages small local businesses and sustainable food practices.

Slow Food Cape Town is a local chapter of the International Slow Food movement that protects and promotes foods that are Good, Clean and Fair – Good Food being natural foods that are part of a cultural heritage; Clean Food that is grown sustainably and in an environmentally responsible manner and Fair Food that is produced by both farmers and artisans who are free to choose how, when, where and what they produce, and are adequately remunerated and respected for their work. Slow Food Cape Town is run by a committee of elected volunteers and currently has over 150 paying members. To join Slow Food Cape Town, click here.