• Conference Aston joins an elite group of Midlands restaurants with prestigious SRA Rating

• Conference Aston advances eco friendly operations with sustainable cooking and training following SRA rating

Conference Aston has been awarded the esteemed three star ‘Food Made Good’ sustainability award from the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA). This recognition reflects the venue's exceptional commitment to sustainability across sourcing, society, and environmental impact.

Notably, Conference Aston is among an elite group of four restaurants in the Midlands that have achieved this prestigious SRA rating.

The Food Made Good Standard is a globally recognised benchmark for sustainability in the hospitality sector, assessing businesses across three key pillars: sourcing, society, and environment. Achieving an overall score of 76%, Conference Aston has excelled in all three areas.

This three star rating reflects Conference Aston’s strong commitment to sustainability, with noteworthy achievements:

• in the environment pillar, where the venue scored 79% for its effective carbon footprint analysis and innovative food waste reduction, including donations to the Salvation Army.

• in the society pillar, with a score of 77%, the venue was commended for its fair treatment of staff through comprehensive training, community support, and promotion of healthy eating practices.

• finally, in the sourcing pillar, the venue scored 72% for showcasing an overall commitment to ethical sourcing and working closely with suppliers to ensure quality and sustainability.

Conference Aston’s future plans centre on integrating sustainability throughout its operations, from infrastructure to customer engagement. A key initiative is the expanded use of Kafoodle software to track carbon footprints across various dishes, empowering both chefs and customers to make environmentally responsible choices. By enhancing menus with more local and sustainable ingredients, Conference Aston aims to make it easier for guests to opt for green alternatives.

Additionally, the refurbishment initiatives include transitioning to more sustainable cooking methods, significantly reducing reliance on gas and lowering the venue’s carbon footprint. To further support these efforts, the venue is investing in ongoing sustainability training for its staff and supply chain, ensuring a unified approach from farm to plate.

Samantha Brown, Head of Conference Aston, said: “We are incredibly proud to receive this three star rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association. This accolade reflects the hard work and dedication of our team to make sustainability a core part of our business.

“Sustainability is more than just a goal; it's a journey we are committed to taking with our team and customers. Together, we can make choices that benefit not only the environment but also future generations. We are committed to continuing our efforts to minimise our environmental footprint and make a positive impact on the environment and our community.”