Entries are now open for the National Restaurant Awards Sustainability Award!

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How we judge the Sustainability Award at the National Restaurant Awards 

How do we judge something as hard to define as sustainability? Well, for the National Restaurant Awards (and the other awards we judge, such as the sustainability awards across The World’s 50 Best calendar) we take inspiration from the holistic and comprehensive approach of our Food Made Good Standard – the world’s only global sustainability accreditation tailored specifically for the hospitality sector.   

Based on three pillars (Sourcing, Society and Environment), the Standard encompasses everything from reducing carbon emissions, supporting small producers and celebrating provenance through to treating staff well and getting involved in the local community. We use the same 360-degree approach in how we judge the Sustainability Award, but with an especial focus on initiatives that restaurants have implemented over the past year.  

Have you introduced wellbeing programmes, team-building activities and training initiatives for your staff? Perhaps you've revamped your menu to spotlight local producers or regenerative farms, or included heritage breed plants or meats on your menu. Have you installed a new food waste management system in the kitchen or adopted innovative strategies to reduce water usage both the front and back of the house? Are you also working closely with your seafood supplier to ensure they aren’t depleting stocks? We’re looking for trailblazers like you. 

If you need some inspiration, have a look at last year’s winner below. Pensons at the Netherwood Estate stood out from an impressive shortlist because of their commitment to experimentation and continuous improvement, with a willingness to trial creative solutions to complex issues – even the ‘un-sexy’ ones. When we spoke to them, they had recently installed their own on-site laundry, a clever and effective initiative that made an enormous impact on their carbon footprint, energy use and water use and created a new full-time employment position in the process. 

Read why Pensons won 

We’re on the hunt for UK restaurants with a great story to tell from the last 12 months, focusing on any part of what it means to be sustainable operation. If this applies to your business, please be sure to enter the Sustainability Award below!

The deadline for submissions is 3rd May. Shortlisted candidates will be notified by 17^th May and the winner will be announced at the National Restaurant Awards ceremony in June, to which all shortlisted candidates will be invited. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact Hannah Macey at hannah@thesra.org. 

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About The National Restaurant Awards 

Since their launch in 2007, the National Restaurant Awards have highlighted the best of the UK’s restaurant scene, recognising and celebrating the most exceptional establishments, chefs and staff the country has to offer.  

Organised by industry-leading title Restaurant magazine, the Awards take place every summer at London’s Hurlingham Club, forming the largest annual gathering of top chefs and restaurateurs in the UK.  

On the night of the awards, the list of the 100 best restaurants in the UK is revealed – as voted for by a group of chefs, restaurateurs and food writers. A series of special awards are presented – including the Sustainability Award – before the evening culminates with the much-anticipated announcement of the National Restaurant of the Year. 

Read more about our Food Made Good Standard here, or find more information here about our role as judges of sustainability awards around the world! 

(Lead image: Pensons.)