Toiling in the food and beverage industry is often a thankless task. Charleston Wine + Food Festival wants to change that by recognizing those whose contributions have made an impact with the Community Impact Awards.
The awards are the reimagined program that used to kick off the festival with a ceremony on a stage. Covid put a pause to the awards, and the festival wanted to better showcase the recipients. The hope is that the awards will inspire others in the industry and provide an additional chance to raise funds to keep the festival’s community work alive.
“The people who work the festival are so busy the whole time, we wanted to provide an opportunity for them to really celebrate the awardees, make connections and inspire the next generation,” said Alyssa Maute Smith, the festival’s executive director.
The awards were presented at a luncheon on Nov. 13 to three individuals and an organization:
Anthony diBernardo, owner of Swig & Swine
“He continues to show up for the community time and time again, and he gives back in so many different ways, utilizing food as a way to give back,” Maute Smith said.
Joseph Fields, owner of Joseph Fields Farm
“I think he will have quite literally fed everyone in that room at one point. He is a multi-generational farmer, and the work he has done with farmers markets, making locally grown food accessible to the local community, shows up all the time,” Maute Smith said.
Dr. Mary Thornley, Trident Technical College
“She recently announced her retirement, but the festival and Trident Tech have such an intertwined history. Our offices were originally there, and she was such a huge force in helping get this off the ground. When Johnson & Wales left the market, she had the foresight to put in culinary facilities at the college to enhance our culinary and hospitality training,” Maute Smith said.
Snyder Event Rentals
“Snyder has donated millions of dollars to local nonprofits through reduced prices. We would not be possible without the team at Snyder. When we started in 2008, there was not a tent big enough in the market to service the festival. Snyder purchased tents to bring to the festival and now those are used not just for us, but for SEWE (Southeastern Wildlife Exposition), the bridge run and Spoleto.”
Winners receive a personalized engraved iron skillet from Smithey’s and publicity. The awards help fund the festival’s workforce development programs throughout the year, including culinary scholarships, mentorships and internships, culinary high school externships, business grants and chef and beverage stipends during festival events.
Maute Smith noted that, since the program’s inception, more than $400,000 in culinary and hospitality scholarships have been awarded. The high school program began this year and 34 students put in more than 500 hours of paid onsite technical training and mentorship, working with local chefs in their kitchens and in the festival’s Culinary Village.
Tickets are on sale now for the 2024 festival at charlestonwineandfood.com.
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