Levy UK has secured an extension with The Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) for its Leiths division to continue as the official food and hospitality partner until 2025, with a renewed focus.
Leiths will support the conference centre in providing sustainable food options and catering to the latest consumer demands and industry trends.
The partnership is underpinned by the Levy Cares initiative which emphasises the importance of the global food industry’s role in combatting the current Climate Crisis.
The two companies share firm values in the area of sustainability, and they are committed to being mindful, of both guests and the planet, when curating menus at the venue.
With a focus on sustainability, Leith’s and the EICC have an existing commitment in place to working with local suppliers in Scotland under the Scottish Food and Drink Pledge to provide its meat, fish, dairy products, fruit and vegetables, and Fairtrade coffee.
Both companies pledge to actively reduce waste through various pioneering innovative initiatives. Food waste reduction begins when planning menus with clients, whereby menus are tailored to suit each event - taking into consideration the demographic of the audience and the events programme.
Any surplus food waste is collected and taken to a local energy recovery plant, where the waste goes through an Anaerobic Digestion process which results in Bio Gas Production and a Digestate that is used as a fertiliser on local farmland.
As part of an ongoing project, the culinary team are trialling the concept of whole carcass eating to cut food waste, where they are developing nose to tail menus for Beef, Lamb, Mutton and Pork.
Since opening in 1995 the EICC has welcomed around 1.5 million delegates from more than 120 countries generating £660m of economic impact for the city region. Each year, Leith’s at the EICC prepares and serves around 20,000 three-course dinners, 50,000 conference lunches, over 110,000 hot drinks and 40,000 glasses of wine and Champagne.
Jon Davies, Managing Director at Levy UK, said, “The extended partnership underpins the Levy Cares initiative in providing sustainable and healthier choices for guests at the EICC. We plan to continue delivering a world-class catering operation that’ll further elevate the venue.
'Our vision for the future is to continue developing exceptional culinary offerings by creating a greater proportion of healthier choices on menus, as well as integrating technology to further enhance the guest experience.”
Marshall Dallas, CEO at the EICC, said, “We are passionate about providing delegates and guests, to events at EICC, with sustainable, nourishing and delicious food and beverage options.
'Our partnership with Leith’s, under Levy UK, allows us to make this a reality with their unparalleled level of expertise and experience. The extension of our partnership reinforces our long-term commitment to providing sustainable, responsible and healthier choices to guests at the EICC, whilst giving back to our local community.
'Catering is one major area where we are taking responsibility for our environmental impact. In the last year we are proud to have eliminated our landfill waste, and in early 2020 we look forward to launching a set of new sustainable initiatives.”