In an initiative that should bring welcome publicity and profile to sustainability in restaurants – see Raymond Blanc below – the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) has agreed to put the sustainability of the UK’s top restaurants to the test, as they battle it out to be crowned Sustainable Restaurant of the Year.
The UK’s top 100 restaurants, as voted for by the industry – and to be unveiled on 8 October at the National Restaurant Awards, organised and hosted by Restaurant magazine – will all be eligible for the Sustainable Restaurant of the Year award. The winner will be the restaurant from the top 100 that achieves the highest score when rated by the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA).
The SRA has already rated more than 300 restaurants across the UK for its One, Two and Three Star ratings: it will be fascinating to see how many of the ‘Top 100’ are already SRA members and hold Star ratings.
The award will recognise the restaurant that scores best for its sourcing, water, waste and energy saving initiatives, as well as its commitment to treat and engage responsibly with its staff, customers and community.
Raymond Blanc, President of the SRA, said:
“How a restaurant sources its produce, cares for its staff and local community, and manages its resources is as important as the quality of its food and the service. This award recognises that sustainability is intrinsic to a top restaurant. The Sustainable Restaurant of the Year can proudly proclaim that it is doing everything to the very highest standards.
“I believe that in future sustainability will be an integral part of how all restaurants are rated, reviewed and rewarded – this is a great step in the right direction.”
The Sustainable Restaurant of the Year will be announced on 8 October as part of the National Restaurant Awards. The SRA will also publish a list of the most sustainable restaurants. The UK’s top 100 restaurants are voted for by the National Restaurant Awards academy, made up of 150 chefs, restaurateurs, writers, critics and food experts.
The SRA has agreed to support the Sustainable Restaurant of the Year award for two years.
How restaurants are rated by the SRA:
The SRA has rated more than 300 restaurants across the UK and the ratings appear in the Times Saturday magazine and Olive reviews as well as in the Harden’s and Les Routiers guides. The SRA awards restaurants a One, Two or Three Star rating, based on the answers and evidence provided to 65 questions across 14 areas of sustainability.
The SRA Sustainability Rating involves restaurants completing a survey, providing answers and evidence to 65 questions across 14 areas of sustainability. The SRA then assesses the results and rates the restaurants accordingly.
Three-Star Sustainability Champions – These restaurants have demonstrated exceptional all round sustainability, scoring consistently well across every category totalling at least 70%.
Two-Star Sustainability Champions – These restaurants have demonstrated excellent all round sustainability, scoring at least 60%.
One-Star Sustainability Champions – These restaurants have demonstrated good all round sustainability, scoring at least 50%.
For more information click here