Slow Food Charleston is organizing an inaugural Snail Awards to recognize leaders in the community that support the Slow Food movement. The event, set for Monday, March 21 from 6:00 to 9:00pm, will take place at The American Theater.

For the event, there will be an awards ceremony that will announce the winners of the following award categories—The Activist, The Provider, The Artist (food & beverage categories), The Snailblazer, and The Place. There is also an award for The Legend which will be presented to Chef Mike Lata of FIG and The Ordinary, who was one of the original founders of the Slow Food Charleston chapter and is a starch advocate of supporting local foodways. Lata will be a Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Immediately following the ceremony, there is a reception featuring dishes by chefs Kevin Mitchell of the Culinary Institute of Charleston, Nico Romo of FISH, Lauren Mitterer of WildFlour, and Jacques Larson of Wild Olive  & The Obstinate Daughter, and John Fleer of Rhubarb in Asheville, North Carolina. Entertainment will be by The V-Tones. Tickets are $80 per person for members, and $90 per person for nonmember and can be purchased at www.snailawardschs.com.