cafe-ODE in Shaldon, Devon, has received the highest ever rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA).
The sister restaurant of ODE-dining, the Sustainable Restaurant of the Year 2012, also in Shaldon, cafe-ODE was opened in May this year by owners Tim and Clare Bouget with the aim of being the most socially and environmentally responsible restaurant in the country – and they have succeeded!
Record 94% score
The purpose-built cafe that serves local, seasonal food with an emphasis on local fish and seafood, achieved 100% in six of the 14 sections of the SRA’s Sustainability Rating and achieved an overall score of 94%. ODE-Dining scored an almost as impressive 90% in its new, 2012 SRA rating. ODE’s success comes two months after the River Cottage’s Plymouth Canteen received the SRA’s previous highest rating, scoring 89%.
The SRA assessors were particularly impressed with the cafe’s sourcing of locally produced organic vegetables and meat.
Excellent environmental standards
As well as its almost flawless sustainable sourcing, cafe-ODE also demonstrated excellent environmental standards – recycling paper, glass, cardboard, cooking oil and plastic and using renewable electricity. Its commitment to sustainability is genuinely built in – with a grass roof, designed to attract local wildlife. Most of the materials involved in the construction were recycled and there is solar thermal energy equipment installed to keep the environmental impact to a minimum.
Equally notable was cafe-ODE’s dedication to the local community – running cooking classes for schoolchildren from the village as well as well as raising money for the local wildlife trust.
Next on the agenda for cafe-ODE is its own beer – with a brewery due to open shortly.