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07.06.07
A fantastic, new opportunity to help restaurants, cafes and bars across London boost profits, improve their reputation and help save the planet is now up for grabs!
Greener Food is a free package of on-site business support for London's Asian restaurants offering expert advice on cutting waste and saving money.
The project was launched this week (5th June 2007) at a successful event which introduced local food producers to restaurant owners, chefs and managers giving them their first taste of how to boost profits by going green.
Renowned Patron and Executive Chef of Café Spice Namaste, Cyrus Todiwala was also there to personally endorse the project and the benefits it can provide to businesses.
"I have seen in practice how going green can increase your restaurant's profits and popularity. It makes excellent business sense and it's so simple to do! If you want to give your business a boost sign up to Greener Food today."
Greener Food is led by London Sustainability Exchange and funded by the London Development Agency. The benefits include:
· Getting free, on-site advice on how to cut costs and boost profits and reputation through simple, painless changes
· Learning how to save up to £1000 per employee simply by reducing waste!
· Advice on sourcing local, seasonal food
· Personalised business consultation and ongoing support and advice after to maximise benefits long-term
· Feel good factor of saving the planet and helping to tackle climate change
· Gain independent recognition of your efforts from Greener Food
Many businesses have already benefited from the advice and support on offer.
Seeta Rajani, Café Coordinator at Café Nabo said:
" Consumers want to be given the choice of going to restaurants and cafes which are working towards becoming greener - and Greener Food is providing businesses with the know-how to be able to offer them that choice."
Samantha Heath, Director of London Sustainability Exchange said:
"Being green is part and parcel of being a professional food and drink business today. Following a few simple steps under expert guidance can help put your business at the cutting edge of London's restaurant scene."
Greener Food works across London with hospitality businesses (restaurants, hotels, pubs, takeaways, cafes, community centres, etc). and will continue until March 2009. As part of our remit we seek to responds to the diversity of the sector by specifically targeting these services to Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME), women and disabled owned or managed businesses in London.
Business can sign up to Greener Food by phoning or e-mailing Janice Ansine on 020 7324 3655 / j.ansine@lsx.org.uk.or visiting www.lsx.org.uk
ENDS
For more information and for photographs please contact
Contact: Jane Mulholland
Tel: 020 7324 3656
Mobile: 07801 357414
E-mail: j.mulholland@lsx.org.uk
Notes to editors
1. London Sustainability Exchange is working with partners London Remade, SEA/Renue and London Food Link to 'green' culturally diverse food and drink businesses in London. The project is funded by the London Development Agency, the Mayor's agency for jobs and business..
2. The Greener Food project was launched at an event on 5th June 2007. The event included:
· A producer fair - a chance for restaurant owners and chefs to talk to food producers directly. They will be showcasing a wide range of local and seasonal ingredients including fruit and vegetables, dairy, meat, ice-cream and beer!
· Recipe demonstrations - Leon chef Allegra McEvedy demonstrated how to cook great fast food using local and seasonal ingredients. Allegra's career has taken her everywhere from the River Cafe to her own restaurant the Good Cook and is the award winning author of Colour Cookbook.
· Seasonal food and drink sourced from local suppliers.
· Free business support - the opportunity to learn more, and to sign up to, Greener Food.
3. Cyrus Todiwala of Café Spice Namaste is a highly acclaimed restaurant serving pan-Asian cuisine. Mr. Todiwala is a keen environmentalist and this interest is clearly visible in the management and operation of the restaurant.
4. London Sustainability Exchange provides organisations and networks of individuals with the motivation, knowledge, and connections they need to put sustainability into practice. Our partners are led by Forum for the Future and include London Councils, Business in the Community, Groundwork, London Voluntary Service Council and London First. Website: http://www.lsx.org.uk/
5. A recent survey by Beacon revealed that although 52% of hotels, bars, restaurants clubs and other leisure operators have taken steps to reduce their energy consumption in the last 12 months, nearly two thirds still believe there is not enough support or information available to advise on and promote environmentally friendly practices. (source: Beacon purchasing).
6. The latest survey of ethnic restaurants reports that 25% of consumers who visit ethnic restaurants would like to see more healthy menu options featuring fresh, local ingredients - Mintel: Ethnic Restaurants and Takeaways - UK, June 2006.