St John’s College is the first Cambridge College to achieve this accolade and underwent a stringent audit, judged across 14 different categories. These included: sourcing local and seasonal produce, fish, ethical meat, dairy and Fairtrade; community engagement, healthy eating and responsible marketing and environmental initiatives incorporating water saving, supply chain, waste management and energy efficiency.
The Sustainable Restaurants Association (SRA), of which St John’s College became a member last year, operates a Sustainability Rating system which helps diners to identify establishments that match their own sustainability criteria. Restaurants are graded One, Two or Three Star ‘sustainability champions’ according to the results of the audit.
Bill Brogan, Catering & Conference Manager said: “This is a great achievement to have secured Two Stars in our first audit, having only become members last year. It is a rigorous process involving checking of paperwork and invoices, scrutiny of menus and verifying trading certificates. We had to provide proof every step of the way – for example when we buy boxes of free-range eggs, we have to take a photo to prove they are stamped with the Lion Mark. It took a lot of time and effort, but it’s worth it when you get there! My thanks to all the team for helping the College achieve this accolade.
“However this is only the start – we will be working closely with the SRA to devise an action plan for the year ahead, helping us not only to maintain our Two Star rating, but work towards achieving the top Three Star score which we only narrowly missed this time, scoring 66% against the 70% needed.”
St John’s College has an international reputation for fine dining backed by numerous catering awards over the years including being recognised in the Sustainable Sourcing Awards 2013 at which Bill Brogan was given a Special Achievement Award. It offers unique rooms for private functions of all sizes including: The Hall which can seat up to 300, The Wordsworth Room up to 50, The Parsons Room for an intimate dinner for up to 16 and the Old Music Room for drinks receptions and buffets for up to 60.
The Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) is a not-for-profit organisation headed up by leading Chef Raymond Blanc as President. It has over 4,000 members in the UK comprising independent restaurants, groups and chains, contract caterers, universities, retail centres and train and aviation caterers all united in their commitment to sustainability.
Image: Sustainability Stars Ean Hogg, Assistant Catering Manager (left) and Bill Brogan, Catering & Conference Manager, St John’s College.
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