April 6, 2022 | By Bronwen Largier
Australia’s largest independent hotel brand is rolling out climate calorie indicators across the menus of its 14 restaurants and bars at properties in Queensland and New South Wales to show whether ingredients in each dish are locally sourced, ethically produced, transported in eco-friendly packaging, produced with minimal waste or have an Indigenous connection.
The hotel group says the initiative will also be extended to its business events catering menus.
“This is just the next step in our sustainability journey,” says Crystalbrook CEO Geoff York.
“This is a way our customers can feel empowered that they’re making a good environmental choice while connecting with the location and the community.
“We’ll be extending Climate Calories to our meetings and events experiences as well.
“We’re privileged in Australia to have access to such high-quality sustainable ingredients and our chefs take huge pride in their farmer and producer relationships, and sourcing local, ethical and culturally considered meat and produce.”
Ethical meats include those which are sustainably farmed and line-caught fish, as well as ensuring all parts of an animal are used. Locally sourced ingredients come from within three hours of each hotel.
The Crystalbrook Collection has five-star hotels in Cairns, Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, and Byron Bay and operates under a sustainable luxury philosophy. The brand has already eliminated waste from its bathroom amenities and reduces waste through paperless stays and using recycled and upcycled materials in its hotel experience, such as room key cards made from recycled wood.