World-renowned conference, events, meetings and exhibition centre, The QEII Centre, has scooped the Sustainability Award for Catering for its catering partners, QEII Taste, at the London Venue & Catering Awards.
The awards, which recognise and reward outstanding achievement in London-based venues and catering companies, also granted silver to the venue for Best Venue Team.
Led by general manager Jason Dignam and executive chef Danilo Barbagallo, QEII Taste has implemented a wide range of climate initiatives which the venue aims to achieve by 2027, and impressively, over half of the goals have already been accomplished.
Completed goals include ensuring that a minimum of 50 per cent of the food and beverage menu is plant based; sourcing 100 per cent recyclable or reusable packaging across the business; implementing a food collection system to avoid unused food going to waste; and informing customers and consumers of their options to help them make more sustainable choices.
The venue has also partnered with BeesMax a not-for-profit organisation, which has installed a hive of 10,000 bees in the fourth-floor garden area to help reverse the decline of the UK bee population.
Judges at the London Venue & Catering Awards commented: “We were impressed by the many actions undertaken to become sustainable, such as reducing the number of dishes and prioritising plant ingredients. The partnership with Bees Max and the colony on the fourth-floor garden are a great story and a great education initiative.”
Jason Dignam, General Manager, QEII Taste, said: “We are honoured to have been recognised by this prestigious industry award. At QEII Taste, we are passionate about doing our bit to ensure that we work towards a more sustainable future. We have more to do, but I am so proud of what we as a team have achieved so far. Food has a key part to play in creating standout experiences for attendees, and it’s our job to ensure that it is not only delicious and satisfying, but good for the planet too.”
Since 1986, the flexible seven-storey QEII Centre has played host to a huge variety of meetings and events, from major international government conferences, to conventions, exhibitions and events for the corporate and association sectors, to dinners, AGMs, award ceremonies and graduations. Situated in a prime location opposite World Heritage Site, Westminster Abbey, the QEII Centre is one of London and the UK’s foremost conference and events centres. The award-winning QEII Taste is operated by Levy UK + Ireland.
