Woolworths is calling on restaurants nationwide to enter this year’s Eat Out Woolworths Sustainability Award.
The award, launched last year, recognises restaurants which go above and beyond to bring its customers seasonal, local and responsibly produced food.
Eat Out editor, Abigail Donnelly said that some of the reasons for starting this initiative was to, “Acknowledge the inspiring work that is already being done in the hospitality sector, and to increase awareness of the many ways in which a restaurant can become an economically and environmentally sustainable business.”
According to Donnelly, feedback from last year awards resulted in, “Restaurant owners making more connections with their farmers, asking for proof of claims from suppliers, improving the education of their consumers, and taking steps to improve their own methods and menus.”
Group head of sustainability at Woolworths Holdings, Justin Smith said, “We live in an age where it’s imperative for restaurants to be conscious of their environmental and social impact. The aim of the award is to inspire readers and members of the food industry to reduce their impact, to create greater awareness about responsible sourcing and eating, and to reward a restaurant that has shown true commitment in this regard.”
Much like last year, the entrants will be judged on a strict set of criteria. This will include things such as the sourcing of meat, seafood and fresh produce; the design of menus; the impact of the restaurant on its surrounding communities; treatment of staff; use of resources such as water and electricity; and efforts to recycle.
The judges for this year’s award include Eat Out editor Abigail Donnelly, Pavitray Pillay of WWF-SASSI, Sonia Mountford of Eategrity and Karen Welter of the Longtable Project. The winner will be announced at the annual Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards, which will be held at the end of the year.
Interested parties, chefs, restaurant owners, food producers or diners themselves are encouraged to read the entry form, which contains all the benchmarks as some of the criteria for this year’s award have been slightly amended.
To enter, restaurants are invited to complete the entry form.
The closing date for entries is 31 August.
Details: www.eatout.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Sustainability-Form1.pdf
Edited by Stacey Woensdregt
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