“Taste the south!” – GEZE company restaurant receives award
We strive to provide a diverse selection of good and healthy food in a pleasant atmosphere. After all, our cafeteria is an important place for our employees to recharge, relax, and talk with their colleagues. The cafeteria has also focused on sustainability for many years. That is why we are so proud to continue developing our regional and seasonal range of culinary offerings with our partner aramark – and why we are proud to have been awarded the “Taste the south” certification.
From a new food concept in the company restaurant ...
Since early 2022, we have been offering our employees a modern and, above all, healthy food concept – from both a culinary and architectural standpoint.
In recent years, both our eating habits and our requirements for food quality have undergone significant changes: as a family business, it is important to us that our employees feel comfortable in our company restaurant, that they can choose from a variety of healthy foods, and that the foods we produce are high-quality, organic, and sustainable. That is why we launched an all-new food concept for our company restaurant in early 2022: it considers food health and vitality, the importance of regional products, sustainable food production, and animal welfare. To avoid unnecessary waste, we use the RECUP and REBOWL reusable systems for our “to go” containers and silverware.
... to the “Taste the south” certificate
Our food concept paved the way for our “Taste the South – eating out” certification.
Our food concept paved the way for our “Taste the South – eating out” certification. The criteria for this seal of quality are particularly demanding. Fresh beef, pork and lamb, as well as meat products and the eggs used in cafeteria dishes must have received the Baden-Württemberg quality seal and the EU seal for protected designation of origin and protected geographical indication. All other raw and prepared products must also come from the state. In addition, in order to receive the “golden lion”, at least one completely regional dish must be on the menu one special day per week.
Overview of criteria for “Taste the south – eating out”
- Regional components, especially meat and meat products, eggs, milk and dairy products, vegetables, potatoes and fruits come from Baden-Württemberg
- Designation and recognition of ingredients and dishes on the menu
- At least one typical regional dish per week, as well as drinks from Baden-Württemberg
- Companies are reviewed (audited) annually by the DEHOGA
- Employees are specially trained (training as a Service Quality Germany Quality Coach)
I am very happy about the award, as good, healthy, and sustainable food is so important to me. Although the criteria and preparations are challenging: all that work pays off! Especially when you see the satisfied faces of our guests.
Frank Spieth, Operations Manager of the GEZE cafeteria in Leonberg
To receive the “Golden Lion”, companies must meet a range of criteria: regionality, seasonality, animal welfare, quality, and sustainabillity.
The road to the Golden Lion
We had to overcome several hurdles on our path to being awarded the “Golden Lion” seal of quality: the first step was to find the right suppliers and conclude agreements with them. After registering the project and submitting a range of documents like a comprehensive self-information check list and supplier agreements, cafeteria employees had to complete specialised trainings and education. “The most challenging thing about the process was certainly selecting our suppliers – especially for fresh vegetables. The quantities we need for our company restaurant at the Leonberg site are enormous – and we need to be able to trust that the quality will be good as well”, says Frank Spieth, who has been managing the GEZE cafeteria for 4 years, and who was responsible for the overall certification process. In April of this year, the cafeteria was ready: the on-site audit by the commission in Leonberg was completed successfully, and will be repeated each year from now on.
With the GEZE food concept, we are ascribing special significance to sustainable consumption and healthy nutrition for our employees. The “Taste the south” certificate proves that we mean business!
Sandra Alber, Chief Officer Legal & FinanceSustainability is diverse
With the GEZE food concept, we are ascribing special significance to sustainable consumption and healthy nutrition for our employees. This “boost” in quality, diversity, and regionality has been well received: visitor figures in our company restaurant have already increased slightly since we converted to the new concept. We also subsidise our company restaurant so that prices can still remain affordable for our employees. Our apprentices and interns continue to receive a generous discount on all meals as well. It is important to us that we are embarking on this journey to better sustainability together with our employees.
Learn more about our commitment to sustainability
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