Do your bit
Did you know that globally a third of all food produced — 1.3 billion tonnes per year — ends up as waste?
When you look closer at the UAE, Ministry of Climate Change and Energy previously said food waste costs the country Dh13 billion annually. Recent statistics further reveal that restaurants contribute 32 percent of the total, so who is better to help navigate us through to recovery than one of the best chef’s in the world, Massimo Bottura.
The Italian culinary genius and owner of Dubai restaurant Torno Subito, which can be found at W Dubai – The Palm, was in the city last week holding a talk on how everyone can help reduce food waste.
Chef Bottura heads up the ‘Food for Soul’ initiative, a non-profit organisation that empowers communities internationally to fight food waste through social inclusion. A first for the Emirates, the programme encourages hotels and restaurants to donate unused food in order cut back on wastage.
Through his efforts he has collaborated with the UAE Food Bank to encourage UAE residents and restaurants to cut back on throwing away food.
“Alongside partnerships with organisations such as the UAE Food Bank, there are simple things that chefs can do,” said Chef Bottura. “For example, if you have a chicken filet dish on your menu you can ensure the skin, legs, bones and any other parts are used – it’s so easy. We have to confront our every day to overcome this problem.”
Chef Bottura was joined by Dr. Essam, Head of the Food Trade Section in Dubai Municipality, who further explained what they have done to contribute to a better, waste-less future.
“The UAE Food Bank was established as a non-profit charity to help with the distribution of food to less fortunate members of the community and to help to eliminate food waste by working with local authorities and businesses.”
Follow in their footsteps and try and repurpose the food you have at home, only buy what you need for the week and freeze any extra’s for future use.
