Cuisine
FILMOGRAPHY & FOOD: PHILIP VAN IERSCHOT, HOLLAND
By Marthe Seydel
In 1989, on a perfect autumn day at the impressive Spanish steps in Rome, Italy, McDonald’s decided to build a fast food establishment at this monumental site. As a reaction, The Slow Food movement was founded to counter the rise of both fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions, and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat. Their philosophy was to again get people interested in their food, where it comes from, how it tastes, and how these food choices affect life in the rest of the world.
Philip van lerschot tells me this movement was the basis for the creation of the Youth Food Movement (YFM). Philip is only 27, and is already a multitalented force in the food universe. He is an active member of YFM, a food filmmaker, co-organizer of the Food Film Festival, a chef, food trend watcher, and a developer of food concepts. He agreed to take me into the fabulous world of food, and on a rainy mid-day we dove a little deeper into today’s culinary trends. With great passion, Philip explained to me the importance of being aware of what food really is.
One of Philip’s recent activities included a demonstration in Holland to raise awareness of local produce. Despite the quality of Dutch potatoes, the country imports potatoes from many other countries. To create awareness about this fact, the YFM, in cooperation with a Dutch farmer, dumped 10,000 kilo’s of Dutch potatoes in the famous Dam Square in Amsterdam. Underscoring the fact that people need to become aware of local products available, the square was barren in less than an hour. Philip-the diversified foodie,-has also developed a vegetarian snack for Holland’s most well-known fast food chain with his partner in Food Wire, Barbara Putnam-Cramer. Food Wire develops well-thought food concepts, with an inventive approach to food. Both individuals are truly food fanatics pur sang.
Marthe Seydel, is based in Amsterdam. She studied Communication and Information Science at the University of Groningen, and currently works as an art consultant at a contemporary art gallery in The Netherlands. She has a great passion for art, fashion and cooking.
Film Directed by Philip van lerschot
According to Philip, some food trends to keep an eye on include:
Addressing the amount of tomatoes wasted purely for cosmetic reasons, the project ‘Too Good To Waste took the initiative and created 3000 liter of gazpacho with these rejected tomatoes, addressed in the film above, Gazpacho.
Additional trends for 2013 include urban farming, food fermentation, shared dining, food trucks and guerrilla pop-up dining. Interest in food, dining, and food trends has never been higher.
Philip’s own philosophy is based on eating simple, quality food, made with carefully sourced, seasonal, and local ingredients. He believes that “Good food fuels the soul.” These ideas, he explained, should not be framed as trends, but as basic fundamentals for our daily routine; healthy food, healthy people, healthy world. Philip is an ambitious young food lover, and one to keep an eye on.
For more information on the food film festival visit
http://www.foodfilmfestival.nl/en/
Dam Square in Amsterdam & Philip van lerschot
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