LONDON—The first international restaurant rating system that enables diners to choose restaurants that match their sustainability priorities wherever they are in the world was launched recently by the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA). Some of the best restaurants in the world have already completed the SRA rating and a number of others have committed to doing so. Narisawa, the two Michelin-starred restaurant in Tokyo, won the Sustainable Restaurant Award, sponsored by Zacapa, at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants this year, by achieving the highest score among the 50 Best Restaurants to complete the SRA’s new Global Rating survey. Noma, in...

MENOMONEE FALLS, WIS.—Expanding on its line of hot and cold food wells, Alto-Shaam has added a selection of round wells to provide better food storage, display and quality. These hot soup wells use Alto-Shaam’s Halo Heat technology and EcoSmart design to help save on the bottom line.Available in both 7- and 11-quart sizes (6.6 and 10.4 liter), Halo Heat wraps around the food well, radiating from the recessed surface, providing greater ambient surface temperature control. The adjustable thermostat provides hot holding temperature flexibility, and the round well can be used with an existing counter, overhead lighting, and sneeze guard...

OSHKOSH, WIS.—Continental Girbau Inc. recently partnered with RJ Kool Co., a full-service laundry distributor headquartered in Kansas City, Mo. As a result, RJ Kool now provides Girbau Industrial products to high-volume laundries throughout Missouri, Kansas, Southern Illinois and Northern Oklahoma. Girbau Industrial is a brand of Continental Girbau Inc.“We were looking for a top-level manufacturer that shared our same values and commitment to quality,” said RJ Kool’s Tiffanni Sanstra, marketing coordinator. “Girbau Industrial products have filled some voids for us in the industrial market. We are blown away with the quality of these products.”Established in 1961, RJ Kool provides...

TRAVELERS REST, S.C.—EnviroPure Systems Inc., a world leader in the development of alternative technologies for organic food waste disposal, announces the appointment of Stefan Kahl as national sales manager. Kahn comes from the Atlanta division of U.S. Foods, where he has been specialist/category manager of non-foods/equipment & supplies for the past nine years. With a degree in hotel and restaurant management, a diversity of hands-on experience in the hospitality industry and longstanding relationships with key accounts such as Hilton and Marriott, Stefan brings a wealth of marketing knowledge and expertise to the company, which has recently moved its headquarters...

SAN JOSE, CALIF.—In partnership with City Bees, The Fairmont San Jose’s Sustainability Team have installed honey beehives on the hotel’s rooftop. Beekeeper Robert MacKimmie will establish nascent beehives, each containing approximately 35,000 bees. When the beehives mature in four to eight weeks, they will each house up to 50,000 bees.“The cultivation of honey beehives marks the latest step in The Fairmont San Jose’s legacy of environmental stewardship,” says Kelley Cosgrove, general manager. “Pollinating insects play a critical role in maintaining natural plant communities and ensuring production of seeds in most flowering plants.”“By focusing on an under-utilized architectural feature, we...

NEW ORLEANS—The first annual Farm To Table International Symposium (F2Ti), featuring the brightest thought leaders and leading practitioners in the burgeoning farm-to-table movement, will be held in New Orleans, August 2 to 4, 2013.F2Ti explores the cultivation, distribution, and consumption of food and drink sourced locally to globally. Topics include farming and aquaculture, fisheries, sustainability, social and digital interactive media, food security and safety, food law and policy, food science and GMO, artisanal and slow food and drink, and fair trade.F2Ti is produced by the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in partnership with the SoFAB Institute. SoFAB...

PORDENONE, ITALY—Electrolux Professional announces the global launch of its Line 5000 series washer extractors and tumble dryers, designed to meet the most demanding needs of the hospitality laundry sector. The new Line 5000 range has been shaped with contributions from users and experts in the professional laundry field all over the world, whose insights and know-how helped drive improvements in product mechanics, ergonomics and design. Special attention has been given to the particular challenges faced by professionals: regions with extreme climates, high temperatures or humidity; locations with unstable power supplies; and even areas affected by rodent populations.“Our close association...

TROY, OHIO—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized ITW Food Equipment Group-North America (ITW FEG) with a 2013 Energy Star Partner of the Year-Sustained Excellence Award for its continued leadership in protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency. ITW FEG’s accomplishments are to be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 26. An Energy Star Partner since 2008, this is the fourth year that ITW FEG has received the Sustained Excellence award. The ITW FEG companies receiving recognition for leadership across the Energy Star program are Hobart, Traulsen, Baxter, Stero, Vulcan, Wittco and Wolf. These...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes National Energy Technologies as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. National Energy Technologies is a commercial facility conservation consultant specialist. The company introduces, prices, procures and coordinates installation of specifically targeted technologies designed to maximize utility savings with the shortest ROI. The company’s techniques will save from 5 to 25 percent on electricity, cooling, water, refrigeration, lighting, laundry, compressed air, and many other resource depleting activities. National Energy Technologies performs energy auditing, corporate counseling, public speaking services and can consult on renewable energy, demand response, deregulated...

LONDON—A growing body of evidence suggests tackling food waste could help resolve many of the sustainability challenges faced by the food industry. A number of studies are linking food losses and waste to food inflation, food security, resource inputs and climate change.The global food industry is currently experiencing its third bout of food inflation in five years because of poor agricultural harvests in the United States, Russia and South America. Analysts predict the average basket of food prices will rise by 15 percent by June 2013. The hike in food prices is raising concerns about food security and its...