First Restaurant Group becomes first to join sustainable scheme Think Eat Drink

Set up by Jamie Grainger-Smith, founder of the London restaurants The Waterhouse and Acorn House (closed last year), TED is a new membership scheme which aims to help all food and drink businesses, including hotels, restaurants and pubs, become greener and operate more sustainably. 

The scheme puts members in touch with suppliers of vetted, sustainable products and services - founder suppliers include Cafedirect and packaging company Expo Industries - and gives them access to consultants who can advise them of ways to run their businesses in a more sustainable and efficient way, from managing staffing better to sourcing the right produce for menus.

Grainger-Smith said the idea was to help business change and become more aware of their corporate and social responsibilities (CSR) and ultimately make them more successful. 

"We want to get people to think differently and change old habits. Our experience has demonstrated that these aims can be achieved without compromising style, quality or profit," he said.

"We have had so much support for what we have achieved with Acorn House Restaurant and Waterhouse - not only from clients and customers but large organisations and environmental groups - that I feel sure a sustainable approach is not only what people want, it is the future of the hospitality industry."

CSR goals​

First Restaurant Group's operations director Oliver Etridge, who oversees five restaurants and pubs in London, said his company had joined the scheme in a bid to help it reach ethical goals and improve its levels of sustainability. 

He said: “We’re proud to have joined this pioneering scheme that is helping us to set the benchmark for more sustainable practices. We’re confident that TED's team of sustainability consultants will help us to develop strong eco principles and with their guidance we hope to achieve our CSR goals”.

Grainger–Smith said TED would now work with First Restaurant Group to create a 'robust action plan' that would be continuously reviewed to help them improve their sustainability credentials.