CSR and Sustainability

250 posts

Sustainability and CSR in hospitality: eco-friendly initiatives, environmental commitments and responsible practices in hotels.

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  • 2 min

Café Momentum breaks ground on new Dallas flagship

🍳 Café Momentum, a nonprofit restaurant, started a $10 million campaign for a new Dallas flagship location, expected to open in 2026. The organization, founded in 2015, offers internships to justice-involved youth, increasing capacity from 80-100 to 120 interns annually. Expansions include Atlanta in March 2025, Denver by early 2026, following Nashville's rebranding to Pathways Kitchen in August 2024. The new 12,000-square-foot space will offer mental health services, educational support, and workforce training.
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  • 18 min

James Beard Foundation announces 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists

🍴 New York, January 22, 2025 – The James Beard Foundation announced the semifinalists for the 35th annual James Beard Awards, presented by Capital One. The 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists list is available on their website. Renowned for recognizing exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries, the Foundation introduced three new award categories this year: Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service. In the past two years, 66% of semifinalists reported a significant increase in business following their nomination. Award nominees will be revealed on April 2, 2025, with the winners celebrated at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on June 16, 2025.
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Palisades and Eaton fires devastate the Los Angeles restaurant community

🔥 Wildfires in Los Angeles' Palisades and Eaton areas since Tuesday morning have burned over 27 square miles, claimed at least five lives, caused hundreds of thousands to evacuate, and destroyed several eateries, including Reel Inn, Cholada Thai Cuisine, Rosenthal Wine Bar & Patio, and a McDonald’s. Reel Inn, operating for 36 years, launched a GoFundMe for staff. Other closed restaurants listed on Eater include Rancho Bar, Side Pie, and Fox’s. The blaze is now LA’s deadliest fire, with expectations of a rising death toll.
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  • 2 min

José Andrés receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom for humanitarian work

🎓 Spanish-American chef José Andrés received the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Jan. 4 for his humanitarian work with World Central Kitchen (WCK), presented by President Joe Biden at the White House. Andrés founded WCK after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, and the organization has since served over 450 million meals globally to communities impacted by disasters. WCK operates in locations such as Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine, Spain, Mayotte, and North Carolina. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Andrés converted his restaurants and the Nationals Park stadium into soup kitchens. In 2022, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
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What is a sustainable hotel?

🌱 Energy costs represent 3-6% of hotel operating expenses, with energy accounting for 60% of utilities. LED lighting and smart climate control systems reduce both emissions and energy costs. Cornell University found that hotels' room rates increased by $20 after LEED certification. Sustainable hotels focus on energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and sourcing locally. Kora Green City, using its AI Booking Assistant, showcases renewable energy use and communicates personalized environmental impact data to guests, enhancing their stay. HiJiffy's platform highlights hotels' eco-commitments, using tools like the AI Booking Assistant for reservations and the AI Virtual Concierge for guest interactions during their stay. Eco-friendly practices attract guests and contribute to the well-being of the planet and local communities.
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  • 2 min

Action Against Hunger’s Love Food Give Food returns

🍴 Action Against Hunger's "Love Food Give Food" campaign, now in its 13th year, has raised over £4.1 million and involves 122 UK restaurants in cities like London and Manchester. The initiative adds £1 to diner bills to provide therapeutic food for malnourished children, with potential recovery in as short as 45 days. With 733 million people affected by hunger in 2023, the campaign's role is crucial.
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  • 2 min

Lussmanns Highgate

🌊 Lussmanns seafood restaurant opens in Highgate, London, after 20 years and a 3-year expansion pause. Founded by Andrei Lussmann in 2002, the Hertfordshire-based group, backed by Luke Johnson, previously had 3 locations and closed Oxford and Tring sites. Highgate’s menu offers sustainable, locally-sourced dishes with a set menu priced at £20.95 for two courses, and £23.95 for three. The new 130-cover venue features a café, dining area, bar, and a 30-cover walled garden. Another opening is expected next month at the former Loch Fyne site in Woburn near Milton Keynes.
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Neat further reduces London estate as co-founder departs business

🏎 Neat, supported by Lewis Hamilton and Leonardo DiCaprio, closed its London Victoria restaurant last week, reducing its London presence to three locales in Soho, Camden, and Wembley. This follows the group's downsizing last year due to financial pressures and the closure of New York and Dubai outposts. Co-founder Zack Bishti departed the business, which was launched in September 2019 and planned for 1,000 global sites by 2030. Despite a $18m fundraise in 2023, Neat made a £7.9m loss in 2022 after a £3.2m loss previously. Neat rebranded in February 2023, dropping 'Burger' from its name and expanding its menu beyond fast food. The brand maintains one international site in Milan.
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