RIVER COTTAGE Canteen in Plymouth has been awarded the Sustainable Restaurant Associations highest ever rating.
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstalls newest restaurant scored 89% in the SRAs sustainability Star Rating, surpassing the scores of 87% for River Cottage HQ at Park Farm and 84% at The River Cottage Canteen, Axminster in 2011. All three are rated Three Star by the SRA.
Canteen Plymouth just pips Dixcart Bay Hotel, Sark, which scored 88% in its rating in July.
Rob Love, River Cottage managing director, said the aim was always to make the Plymouth outlet the most sustainable yet. Canteen Plymouth excelled across the board, but particularly impressed assessors with its commitment to sourcing from local, independent suppliers and using meat, poultry and dairy from animals kept to high standards of welfare. The restaurant is now trying to find a way to have local honey, fruit and vegetables delivered to the restaurant by sailboat to reduce carbon emissions from transport.
The SRAs ratings are based on the answers and evidence restaurants provide to 70 questions under three main headings (sourcing, environment and society). The assessment covers everything from the provenance of the produce to how waste and energy are managed and engagement with local communities.
