While many restaurants around town are adopting more sustainable practices, only one has been awarded the Michelin Green Star award. The 2022 edition of the Michelin Guide Hong Kong Macau recognized the IFTM Educational Restaurant with a Green Star accolade for the second consecutive year.
According to Michelin, the annual Green Star award aims to “highlight restaurants at the forefront of the industry when it comes to their sustainable practices. They hold themselves accountable for both their ethical and environmental standards, and work with sustainable producers and suppliers to avoid waste and reduce or even remove plastic and other non-recyclable materials from their supply chain. These restaurants offer dining experiences that combine culinary excellence with outstanding eco-friendly commitments.”
“It is always an honour to receive recognition, especially from the Michelin Guide,” comments Chef de Cuisine at IFTM, Hans Rasmussen. “It encourages and motivates us all in our endeavours to battle food waste and support environmental initiatives, not only in the restaurant, but throughout the Institute for Tourism Studies Macao.”
The Institute boasts a number of green initiatives coordinated by the IFTM Environmental Management System Committee, including a rooftop garden for growing its own vegetables and herbs, and a newly upgraded aquaponics system to expand the range of vegetables and herbs grown for use at the restaurant. The system combines aquaculture and hydroponics, with fish helping to create nutrient rich water to feed the plants.
“We mainly use the herbs from our aquaponic and herb garden throughout our menu, so we have a low carbon footprint and packing-free produce available most of the year,” notes Chef Hans.
Last year, the restaurant also installed Winnow Sense, a leading food waste management system which utilises AI to help improve efficiency and maximise the use of all ingredients. According to Winnow, plate waste can account for more than 30 percent of waste in commercial kitchens, so this system enables restaurants to automatically capture the weight of customers’ plate waste and make targeted interventions to reduce it, leading to optimized menus and adoption of best practices.
While technology can certainly help with sustainable operations, a lot of strategies are just straight forward common sense.
“It’s Alpha Omega when it comes to cooking, beginning to end, from earth to table,” Chef Hans explains. “Firstly, choose your ingredients and suppliers wisely. Secondly, go organic, local, or regional to reduce your carbon footprint. And thirdly, ensure full utilization of the chosen ingredients.”
As well as the Michelin Green Star, the IFTM Educational Restaurant has also been featured in the Bib Gourmand category of the Michelin Guide Hong Kong Macau every year since 2013, and is one of only seven establishments in the city to receive the award this year. Efforts to be more eco-friendly are also welcomed by the customers.
“Our guests have become more aware and appreciative of knowing the origin of the ingredients, where they are produced, and the brand name of our organic products. These factors only help to contribute to an enhanced dining experience when combined with quality cooking and ingredient composition.”
As to why more restaurants in the city haven’t received a Michelin Green Star, Chef Hans responds modestly.
“I don’t believe we do more or less than our industry peers, but perhaps because we are a smaller restaurant it’s easier for us to control and streamline our efforts. I believe some of the hotels and resorts in Macau are fantastic in their corporate responsibility towards environmental protection and innovative eco-friendly practices.”
Green Hotel Awards
Since 2007, the Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA) has organized the annual Macao Green Hotel Award to help raise awareness of the importance of environmental management in Macau’s hotel industry and commend those hotels which have adopted environmental measures. To date, 38 hotels have received the “Macao Green Hotel Award”, or around 35% of the total number of hotels in Macau.
In 2021, the Gold Award was presented to Nüwa, Okura Macau, Sands Macao, MGM Cotai and Morpheus, while the Silver Award was won by Grand Emperor Hotel, Countdown and Broadway. The Riviera Macau, Waldo and Crowne Plaza Macau hotels were distinguished with the 2021 Bronze Award. The winning properties have all effectively implemented environmental management measures, reduced operating costs and cooperated in the implementation of the government’s environmental protection policies.
Some of the approaches taken include achieving carbon reduction targets, implementing waste separation practices, providing recycling bins to guests, replacing plastic bottles with glass bottles, and eliminating plastic straws.
Mighty Greens
Creative Waste Management
Community Recycling
Vegan Vogue
Clean Driving
Mighty Greens
Creative Waste Management
Community Recycling
Vegan Vogue
Clean Driving
