This World Environment Day, Cluster Executive Chef at Novotel Dubai Al Barsha, Emanuelle Di Tullio, highlights the significant progress the property has made in minimising its carbon footprint within the F&B sector. With sustainability remaining a top priority for the property, the four-star hotel is proud to showcase its latest green initiatives and commitment to eco-friendly living.
From hydroponic farming solutions, using locally sourced ingredients, reducing waste and sustainable practices and offering healthier, eco-friendly offerings, Novotel Dubai Al Barsha’s F&B outlets exemplify the hotel’s dedication to environmental stewardship.
Healthier, Eco-Friendly F&B Offerings
Novotel Dubai Al Barsha’s outlets, Deck Se7en, Café Java, and 365 Restaurant, have implemented the use of healthier, eco-friendly products and ingredients. Each outlet now offers a variety of substitutes to sugar, including coconut, stevia, and monk fruit. Additionally, they offer a host of non-dairy milk products such as oat milk, almond milk, and more, catering to the unique needs of each guest.
Expanded Vegan and Plant-Based Options
Furthermore, Novotel Dubai Al Barsha’s F&B outlets have extended their offering of vegan and plant-based products in attempts to cut down their CO2 emissions; 365 Restaurant, the property’s all-day dining outlet, features a lunch buffet in which 84% of its offering comprises of vegetarian, vegan, and plant-based dishes. By incorporating vegan and vegetarian products, Novotel Dubai Al Barsha ensures that every part of their produce is utilised, bringing it closer to achieving a zero-waste kitchen.
Emphasising Locally Sourced Ingredients & Community Engagement
Another growing factor throughout the UAE is the use of locally sourced ingredients. Minimising carbon footprints and supporting local businesses and communities along the way, Chef Di Tullio implemented the sourcing of local food products such as fresh vegetables, bread, cold cuts, herbs, and cheese, from the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination. An extension of their community engagement efforts, Novotel Dubai Al Barsha also has aspiring cooks from the International Centre for Culinary Arts visit the property’s F&B outlets weekly to learn about effective ways to introduce sustainability to the kitchen.
Hydroponic Farming Solutions
In partnership with Smart Grow Farm and Fresh on Table, Novotel Dubai Al Barsha has made strides towards the sustainable growth and procurements of fresh produce to supply the property’s F&B outlets. Using 90% less water and producing four times the crops in the same amount of space, Chef Di Tullio looks towards hydroponic farming as a solution to significantly reducing Novotel Dubai Al Barsha’s carbon footprint. Novotel Dubai Al Barsha looks to expand its hydroponic farming efforts in the future, with the goal of growing fresh produce for its kitchens in-house.
Reducing Waste and Sustainable Practices
Finally, Novotel Dubai Al Barsha’s efforts to reduce waste in its kitchens include the implementation of sustainable frying oil in its fryers. Given that frying oil makes up 8% of the hospitality industry’s food waste and its nature of being difficult to eliminate naturally, the property looks to sustainable oil and alternative ingredients to avoid high consumption and use.
An extension of their food waste reduction efforts, the property’s kitchens are all outfitted with the Winnow System, an AI tool that helps monitor food waste and consumption on a weekly basis. With this tool, Novotel Dubai Al Barsha’s chefs can view and track food waste data in their kitchens to brainstorm solutions for further waste reduction.
In an effort to give back to the community and create a closed loop between its kitchens and its suppliers, this Ramadan, Novotel Dubai Al Barsha collected used date pits and returned them to its farmers for them to use as compost and fertiliser to grow new date plants, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural practices and reducing waste.
This World Environment Day marks a significant milestone in Novotel Dubai Al Barsha’s sustainability journey and commitment to eco-friendly practices in its F&B outlets. Under Chef Di Tullio’s guidance, the property is looking to the future with the introduction of hydroponic farming solutions, ensuring that all vegetable produce is cultivated and harvested in-house, thereby creating a closed loop to supply its kitchens.
