Todiwala, who is now planning to open a second restaurant at Hilton Heathrow Terminal 5 Hotel, was praised for his work in supporting local farmers and fishermen, promoting healthy diets and helping budding entrepreneurs, all of which was deemed to be “below the radar”.
He was presented with his award at a ceremony held last night at the Royal Institute of British Architecture in London, where a number of other hospitality businesses were also rewarded for their environmentally-friendly and sustainable ethos.
Contract catering company Sodexo was presented with the Corporate Social & Environmental Responsibility Award for its “Better Tomorrow Plan” to support employees’, clients’, customers’ and suppliers’ own sustainability.
Holland House Retreat Centre in Pershore, which serves local produce and was the first retreat house to become apart of the Sustainable Restaurant Association, was given the Community Vote Award.
Christophe Stourton, communications director of the Footprint Awards, said: “We have been greatly encouraged by the amount and quality of entries in this year’s awards. It really shows – despite tough economic times – how vital sustainability is to the future of this sector and the benefits that brings to the environment, the communities in which they operate and to their businesses.”
The winners of the 2011 Footprint Awards are:
Special Achievement Award
Winner: Cyrus Todiwala OBE DL
Runner up: Nicki Fisher, Pret A Manger and Tamsin Gane, Sodexo
Corporate Social & Environmental Responsibility Award
Winner: Sodexo, for its ‘Better Tomorrow Plan’
Runner up: Cafédirect
Community Vote Award
Winner: Holland House Retreat Centre, Pershore
Runner up: Combe House Hotel and Restaurant, Devon
Sustainable Use of Natural Resources Award
Winner: Greenvale, for its Cascade Water Recycling System
Runner Up: Alpro Soya
Environmentally Efficient Logistics Award
Winner: Brakes
Runner Up: 3663 and Reynolds
Commercial Benefit Through Sustainable Practice Award
Winner: BaxterStorey, for its approach to sustainability
Runner up: Creed Foodservice
Innovations in Packaging Award
Winner: Paper Pallet Company, for its new pallet development
Runner up: Llanllyr Water Company
Energy Efficiency Award
Winner: Creed Foodservice
Runner Up: Winterhalter
Consumer Engagement Award
Winner: The Beacon Green Hotel, a virtual hotel website
Runner up: Partners in Purchasing
Sustainable Sourcing Award
Winner: Nestlé Professional
Runner up: BaxterStorey
Best Sustainable Catering Equipment Manufacturer
Winner: Gram
Runner up: Dudson
Internal Communications Award
Winner: Bartlett Mitchell
Runner up: 3663
British Supply Award
Winner: CH&Co.
Runner up: BaxterStorey
Best Sustainable Foodservice Installation
Winner: Space Catering Equipment at The Scarlet, Cornwall
Runner up: MEIKO Microvac at The Royal Garden Hotel