The Good Eating Company, which is part of food and catering giant Sodexo, has opened a new restaurant, The Orangery, on London’s Tottenham Court Road, which features what it claims is ‘the largest on-site hydroponic farm in London.’
Working in partnership with Square Mile Farms, the company has said it has ‘a commitment to hyper-local produce’ and ‘aims to deliver a dining journey that champions British heritage, modern flavours, and hydroponic farming technology.’
It is claimed that by using advanced hydroponics and vertical farming techniques, such as LED lighting, the restaurant can produce the same yield as 1.1 acres of traditional farmland. In addition, the operation claims to use ‘up to 90% less water than traditional farming methods’ to cultivate 35,000 plants, with 70 per cent of the crops produced used in The Orangery Restaurant.
‘The produce from the on-site hydroponic farm forms the foundation of an ever-evolving seasonal menu and ensures true farm-to-table dining,’ says the company. ‘With a focus on quality, the restaurant sources the finest British produce, from premium meats and fresh seafood to artisanal cheeses and heritage grains.’
Alex Kristall, MD of The Good Eating Company, added, “This is an exciting step in our growth in London, we are looking forward to serving an exceptional dining experience whether for breakfast, lunch or dinner to our guests.
“We have been delivering great experiences for leading organisations in the creative, media and arts, investment and financial management and pharmaceutical industries since 1999. We look forward to seeing The Orangery take off as an exciting all-day dining destination.”
The restaurant will also run educational farm tours for local KS1 schools, colleges and universities and will donate produce to local schools, communities and charities in Camden.
The Good Eating Company was founded in 1999 and acquired by Sodexo’s in 2017.
