Pendray Tea House’s PLEDGE Certification Marks a First for Canada – Travel And Tour World

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Pendray Inn and Tea House, a boutique establishment celebrated for its historic charm, daily breakfast offerings, and traditional afternoon tea service, is proud to announce its groundbreaking achievement as the first restaurant in Canada to be certified by The PLEDGE on Food Waste. With an impressive score of 93%, Pendray Tea House has earned the Gold Level certification, underscoring its commitment to sustainability and reducing food waste.

Pendray Tea House has made history by becoming the first restaurant in Canada to be certified by The PLEDGE on Food Waste. This prestigious, globally recognized, third-party audited certification and benchmarking system focuses on reducing food waste, cutting costs, and fostering local solutions. The PLEDGE’s robust methodology is built on seven pillars and 95 criteria, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals 2, 12, 13, and 17, and complementing the EPA’s Wasted Food Scale, which emphasizes food waste prevention and diversion.

The journey toward this landmark certification began in January, when Pendray Tea House assembled a dedicated committee to guide the project. Partnering with BetterTable.ca, a Vancouver-based company that helps hotels and restaurants minimize food waste to achieve a triple bottom line, they crafted and executed effective strategies to adhere to The PLEDGE on Food Waste standards.

During the certification process, the Pendray Tea House team embraced a range of best practices to meet their food waste reduction targets. These included categorizing food waste measurements, maintaining detailed tracking systems, developing actionable plans with measurable goals, benchmarking progress, and delivering comprehensive team training. Chef Onille Pitogo played a pivotal role by creatively repurposing prep waste into innovative culinary items like the Sustainable Chocolate Cashew Delight.

While the journey was not without its challenges, especially in implementing new procedures and systems, the results have been rewarding. In January, the average food waste per cover at Pendray Tea House was 83 grams, significantly lower than the national average of 388 grams per cover. By May, this figure had decreased to 60.5 grams per cover, marking a notable 27% reduction. This improvement also resulted in an estimated $550 in savings for the month of May alone.

Pendray Tea House’s certification underscores its commitment to sustainability and stands as a motivating example for other establishments aiming to reduce food waste. This achievement not only sets a new standard in the industry but also highlights the potential for significant environmental and economic benefits through dedicated efforts in food waste management.

General Manager Erin Cassels expressed great satisfaction in the team’s achievement, stating, “I have immense pride in our team’s hard work and dedication as we celebrate becoming the first restaurant in Canada to achieve The PLEDGE on Food Waste certification. This milestone reflects our commitment to sustainability and a brighter future for our planet. Our values align with the eco-friendly ethos of Destination Greater Victoria, who continue to set a high standard for a circular tourism economy within our community. We look forward to continuing our company’s overarching mission to incorporate environmental stewardship and sustainable hospitality practices within our business model.”

The benefits of Pendray Tea House’s efforts extend well beyond immediate cost savings. By reducing food waste, the restaurant significantly contributes to environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and economic efficiency. In an era of climate change and uncertainty, Pendray Tea House is dedicated to making a positive impact and inspiring others to follow suit. The restaurant is honored to lead by example as Canada’s first PLEDGE-certified establishment.