The corporate award was won by the operator’s Planet Matters scheme, a CSR initiative that sees the organisation band together to generate environmentally friendly and sustainable ideas that can be implemented within the schools the contractor works in.
The winners of ACE Sustains 2014, which were launched last year, were announced at the the organisation’s annual summer networking event at London Zoo and attended by more than 200 guests.
Bartlett Mitchell and Kent Frozen Foods were the runners-up.
The people award went to Sandy Hayton, chef manager, and The Brookwood Partnership team at Greenfield School in Woking for an initiative to reduce plate waste in the dining room.
Beverley Richardson, general manager at Wakehurst Place (Ampersand) was in second place, and joint third place went to Vacherin’s Sustainability Focus Group and Phil Clerkin, account manager at Credit Suisse (Restaurant Associates).
Awards judge Mark Lineham said: “There has been a clear improvement in the focus of the entries since last year.
“Sustainability is an irreversible trend, and businesses that aren’t doing it now will need to start doing it. We see so much waste and over indulgence in our industry. Someone has to be brave enough to break the mould.”
Fellow judge, Mark Jankovich added: “We’ve seen some great stories with really well thought through objectives and plans to support them.
“The beauty of these awards is that other businesses can take away ideas to implement in their own organisation. It’s a non-competitive space, and sharing ideas is positive.
“I would urge those that did not enter this year to start thinking about their entries for next year.”
Launched in 2007, Brookwood’s Planet Matters scheme has reduced plate waste by 47%, seen the switch to environmentally friendly chemicals for cleaning, achieved a reduction in deliveries of 30% against the industry average, and promoted healthy eating with sustainable and locally sourced ingredients. In the last five years it has also raised £120,000 to help build a primary school in Uganda and the scheme also supports causes such as Magic Breakfast that sponsors breakfast for underprivileged children in the UK.
Managing partner Sue Parfett said: “The fact that we are feeding children is a critical aspect of why it works. It’s all about finding ways of encouraging children to eat well and not to waste food.”
At Greenfield school Hayton and the rest of the Brookwood team use a superhero character called Wendal B Green.
She said: “Having come from a fine food background, I was shocked by the amount of food waste in the school. To address this, I wanted to do something that the children could not only relate to, but enjoy supporting too.
“Wendal now appears on the noticeboards to deliver messages to the pupils about reducing waste, and they can chart their progress through stars that are awarded to classes that achieve their targets.”
As a prize she and her team will have dinner at Grain Store, Bruno Loubet’s acclaimed restaurant in Kings Cross courtesy of sponsor Mondelēz.
Runner up prizes were dinner at Brigade Restaurant (ACE's chosen charity) and Urban Beekeeping experiences with Dr Luke Dixon, sponsored by TuGo and e-foods.
The panel of expert judges included Shirley Duncalf, Head of Sustainability for Bidvest 3663; Brendan Hunter, Hospitality Manager, WRAP; Mark Lineham, Managing Director, Sustainable Restaurant Association; Mark Jankovich, Chief Executive, Delphis Eco.
Other presentations on the night included commendations to recognise and reward ideas and initiatives: Elior’s ‘You & Life’ programme, Bartlett Mitchell’s ‘Green Bee’, Hannah Carmichael, Gram UK’s Green Paper and CH& Co’s sustainable fish commitment.
A lifetime achievement award was presented to Vivreau’s Stephen Charles for his contribution to sustainability across the hospitality sector.
The next ACE event is the annual ACE Ready Steady Cook Competition on September 17. Visit www.acegb.org.