Raymond Blanc praises industry for ‘realising its potential as force for good’
The shortlist for the Food Made Good Awards published today (21 August) by The Sustainable Restaurant Association proves that innovation and progressive practices are thriving across the UK foodservice sector.
Businesses as diverse as a street food stall in London’s Borough Market, Gourmet Goat, and Pizza Hut sit side by side on the list along with boutique Sussex hotel The Gallivant, Jamie’s Italian, the current independent Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Kingfisher as well as the picturesque Petersham Nurseries.
The list which also includes Danish Michelin Starred Relae, popular London hangout The Breakfast Club as well as five university caterers and two contract caterers, is proof that businesses regardless of size, type and location are tackling the big issues facing the industry and finding solutions.
SRA President Raymond Blanc and Vice President Prue Leith will present the 17 Food Made Good Awards at a special ceremony on 5th October at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Lindley Hall.
Raymond Blanc, who is also curating the lunch at the awards ceremony, said: “The Food Made Good Awards are so critical, recognising the work and commitment of individuals and organisations responsible for bringing new ethics to our food production, and sharing those values in our kitchens and with consumers.
“The awards truly remind us why we are so proud to work in this industry. Food and its production touches every part of our lives; it will define the society and communities of tomorrow, as well as our health and the health of the planet. Each and every one of the shortlisted businesses have demonstrated food’s huge potential as a force for good. I am honoured to play some part in rewarding their significant achievements.”
The Food Made Good Awards recognise restaurants and food service businesses whose accomplishments in the last year have driven progress in the industry and demonstrated that all food can be made delicious, ethical and sustainable.
The first ten categories define what a ‘good’ restaurant or foodservice business should do. A full list of the categories and the shortlisted restaurants is available below.
As well as the ten Food Made Good themed awards which champion ground-breaking ideas and initiatives to inspire the whole industry to mobilise for greater change across the three main themes of Sourcing, Environment and Society, there are a further seven categories. These include the Raymond Blanc Sustainability Hero Award which the Chef Patron of Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons presented to chef and campaigner Jamie Oliver in 2016.
There are a number of new categories for 2017, including the Good To Go award which will be presented in partnership with Just Eat. There’s also an award for the new kids on the block; the Open Right award will be presented to the business which has opened a site in the last 18 months with sustainability built in.
Voting for The People’s Favourite Restaurant which is the only award decided by the public, is currently taking place on the delicious. magazine website.
FOOD MADE GOOD AWARDS 2017 shortlist in full:
Support Global Farmers: for the business going above and beyond in ethical sourcing.
bartlett mitchell
Plymouth University
The Breakfast Club
Sponsored by Pukka Herbs
Value Natural Resources: for the business innovating to better preserve energy and water.
Les Orangeries, Lussac Les Chateaux
Pizza Hut
Sheffield Hallam University
Sponsored by Belu
Treat Staff Fairly: for the business doing most to value staff through pay & beyond the paycheque.
Pizza Hut
Sheffield Hallam University
The Breakfast Club, Ten sites in London and Brighton
Sponsored by Freedom Brewery
Feed People Well: for the business doing the most to support adults and kids make good choices when eating out.
Artizian Catering Services
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Jamie’s Italian
Sponsored by Organix
Celebrate Local: for the business making the very most of the larder on its doorstep
Bangkok Kitchen, Gloucester
Food in Residence, University of Manchester
The Gallivant, Camber
Source Fish Responsibly: for the business doing most to help ensure plenty more fish in the sea
Kingfisher Fish and Chips, Plymouth
London School of Economics
The Bay Fish & Chips, Stonehaven
Sponsored by Direct Seafoods
Serve More Veg and Better Meat: rewarding the most innovative ways of flipping the menu
Lussmanns Fish & Grill
Petersham Nurseries
Poco
Reduce Reuse Recycle: for the most impactful way of keeping as much as possible out of landfill.
Costa
Relae, Copenhagen
Thali Café, Bristol and Oxford
Sponsored by Paper Round
Waste No Food: rewarding the very best ways of ensuring food stays out of the bin.
Gourmet Goat, London
Pizza Hut
Poco, Bristol
Sponsored by Unilever Food Solutions
Support The Community: for the business making food do good as well as taste good in its area.
Friends House Restaurant, London
Friska, Bristol, Luton, Manchester
The Wheatsheaf, Chilton Foliat
Sponsored by PKL
People’s Favourite Restaurant: Publicly-voted award run in partnership with delicious. magazine
Harissa, Newcastle
Lucky Beach, Brighton
Petersham Nurseries, London
The Gate, Three sites in London
Food Made Good Supplier of the Year
Select Butchery
Vegware
Yealands
Food Made Good Champion 2017: The business doing the most to promote positive change via the Food Made Good online community
Bangkok Canteen
Oxo Tower Restaurant Brasserie and Bar
Plymouth University
Yurt Lush, Bristol
Sponsored by Eureka Search & Selection
The following awards, for which there is no shortlist, will be also presented on 5 October:
Good to Go Award
In partnership with Just East
Shortlist for this award to be published in September
Open Right Award: Celebrating site opened in last 12 months with sustainability built-in.
Sponsored by Shaftesbury plc
Raymond Blanc Sustainability Hero: An individual doing the most to create positive change across the sector
Food Made Good Business of the Year: The best in the business, excelling across the board
Shortlist for this award to be published on 5 September