What is Slow Food?

Slow Food is more than a movement—it’s a philosophy that celebrates the cultural heritage of food, supports local producers, and promotes sustainable agriculture. Founded in Italy in 1989, Slow Food stands in opposition to fast food and fast life, advocating for biodiversity, traditional food knowledge, and the pleasure of eating well.

Good

Quality you can taste: carefully sourced ingredients and careful cooking that preserves flavour, nutrition, and authenticity.

Clean

Production methods that respect the environment, animal welfare, and human health. We prioritise organic practices, minimise waste, and protect biodiversity.

Fair

Fair for everyone in the chain: guests and producers. We work directly with local farmers and artisans so they’re properly paid for quality and sustainability. We’re not an expensive fine-dining restaurant—but our costs can’t match places that rely on supermarket supply chains.

Our Local Food Concept

In 2011, we — Juranda and Thorsten, a German-Romanian couple — decided to start a new chapter in our lives. We moved from Bucharest and bought the abandoned Grigorescu Mansion. Today, we live and work at the mansion, a family-run business where we share our passion for food with our guests. For us, it’s not just a business – it’s a sustainable lifestyle concept based on what we find in the surrounding area.

The French call this concept “terroir“: the environmental conditions, especially the soil and climate, that give produce grown in a specific region its unique flavour and aroma. Our aim is to promote the unspoilt culinary treasures of the Carpathians, one of Europe’s most amazing natural environments. We believe that Romania’s flora and fauna have extraordinary potential to provide natural, healthy, high-quality food. However, many traditions that have been preserved for decades are being forgotten due to the popularity of imported and convenience foods.

The Slow Food Movement is our core philosophy. As the proud initiators of the Slow Food Community Buzău Land, we are an accredited member of the international Slow Food Network. Our culinary ambition is to marry forgotten Romanian culinary traditions with international flavours to create a fusion cuisine that offers a distinct taste of Romania.

How we try to integrate Slow Food principles in our work:

  • Farm-to-Table Restaurant

    Our menu changes with the seasons, featuring ingredients from our own garden and nearby farms and local producers. We know where our food comes from and can share those stories with our guests.

  • Interactive Food Hub

    We preserve and celebrate traditional food knowledge through interactive exhibits, tastings, and cooking demonstrations.

  • Local Food Shop

    Our shop features products from local artisans and producers—honeys, preserves, cheeses, wines, and crafts that support the regional economy and preserve traditional production methods.

  • Own Food Production

    At Grigorescu Mansion, we have our own small-scale food production facility. ‘Rafineturi’ is our artisanal product line featuring innovative preserves. We also produce fresh and matured goat’s cheese, as well as a selection of charcuterie products.

  • Educational Farm

    The Buzău River Educational Organic Farm (opening 2027) will demonstrate sustainable agriculture practices and teach visitors of all ages about organic farming and biodiversity.

  • Food Education for Kids

    Through the “Master of Food” program, we educate children about sensory awareness, nutrition, healthy eating, food cultivation, and cooking techniques—building the next generation of conscious eaters.

  • Slow Travel Experience

    We encourage our guests to slow down and immerse themselves in the rhythms of rural life in Buzău County, discovering nature along the way. In partnership with local tourism providers, we offer hiking and biking tours, as well as rafting and other outdoor activities.