Start loves…

The Start Pop-Up Restaurant…A truly unique dining experience

Start is a charitable initiative inspired by HRH The Prince of Wales, which aims to show, simply, what can be done to have more fun while living more sustainably. This summer, we have created the first ever Start Pop-up Restaurant to demonstrate this in a tasty, entertaining way. Responsible procurement, ecological awareness and positive sustainability are the future for all restaurants.

Thanks to our wonderful partner Jamie at Think Eat Drink, every element of this restaurant has been carefully thought through in terms of its sustainability, from the Marine Stewardship Council certified fish on the menu, to the reclaimed bar and salvaged furniture in the garden. Our menu incorporates some of the best locally sourced British food and organic wines, each of which has an interesting story to tell.

We hope you are enjoying a fabulous dining experience that brings together great ideas for simple and easy ways to eat and live more sustainably. As always, Start provides inspiration for what we can start doing rather than what we have to stop.

Think Eat Drink…led by Jamie Grainger-Smith, TED is built upon a commitment to sustainable development and a dedication to vibrant, commercial food and drink venues. TED specialises in ethical consultancy to the hospitality industry.

Jamie’s career spans 18 years in some of the most influential and innovative restaurants in the world, including Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Restaurant and The River Café. He also founded Acorn House and Water House. Hard-to-please critics have used words like ‘charm, enthusiasm and gusto’ in their appraisals of these restaurants.

Jamie is on a mission to introduce the highest standards of sustainability, environmental awareness and ethical practice in food and drink without sacrificing taste or quality. The consultancy advises on: design; energy effi ciency; ergonomics; waste management; and recycling. It has a strong track record building sustainable and ethical supply chains with statutory providers and commercial organisations.

Its aim? To provide attractive places to eat and drink with the community at heart. And to achieve thiscausing the least possible impact on the environment. Jamie is also a passionate advocate of opportunities for staff training. He is currently working on the groundbreaking concept The Hub King’s Cross. He is one of London’s 1,000 most influential people (Evening Standard 2008) and is working with charities to find a new approach to community-driven cafes with sustainability and great food at their heart.

We are picking out some of the most inspiring stories from the suppliers and people who have made it all happen, so keep your eyes on Start’s blog this week to hear about the special organisations we’ve teamed up with.