Westchester Eateries Win 'Snail of Approval'

A little bit of love is going a long way for Leslie Lampert, earning her the “Snail of Approval” for her eco-friendly business practices.  

“Slow Food Metro North has chosen to honor Leslie Lampert’s Café of Love, Ladle of Love and Ladle of Love Food Truck with the 'Snail of Approval' due to the continuous efforts that she has put forth in her establishments to help sustain the local food shed by highlighting local products on her seasonal menus,” said Kathryn Dysart the founding board member of Slow Food Metro North, who is currently acting as the Chair of our Snail of Approval Program

Slow Food Metro North is the local chapter of Slow Food USA serving Westchester and Putnam counties, as well as Fairfield, CT. It holds potluck dinners, cooking and other events to educate and promote advocacy of fair and sustainable food production and helps consumers find food purveyors who engaged in environmentally responsible.

“Leslie has been a pioneering spirit in her community by promoting sound eco-friendly restaurant practices as well as supporting local community efforts and charities each month," said Dysart.

Lampert, who owns the three Mount Kisco-based food establishments, will receive her award at The Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden in North Salem on June 17 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Lampert was recently hired as the museum’s exclusive caterer as Leslie Lampert Affairs at The Hammond Museum.

Tickets to the award ceremony event are $40 per person and include “farm-to-vodka” cocktails, local wine and beer, as well as hors d’oeuvres made from local ingredients. For tickets confirm by phone with Jenni at (914) 242-9661.  

Café of Love, which puts a global twist on locally sourced ingredients, is spinoff of Ladle of Love, Lampert’s soup shop and the first farm-to-table restaurant in Westchester. Both establishments have received numerous accolades, some from Patch, The New York Times, Westchester Magazine, and ABC News. Ladle of Love was also featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2008.  

The Ladle of Love Food Truck, the country’s only electric food truck, was awarded one of four contracts with The New York City Parks & Recreation Department to operate a food truck at Tavern On The Green in Central Park. The truck also has a route in White Plains and is at the Ossining Farmers Market on Saturdays.  

“What an honor to be recognized among such distinguished recipients of this important award for those of us who have been paying attention to doing good and doing well in the arenas of sustainability and the culinary practices of eating local,” said Lampert. “Thank you to Slow Food Metro North for raising awareness and for making sure we get to stay in the fields and the kitchen while you spread the word.”