Events venue redefines Christmas dining with eco-friendly, low-carbon emission menu

Conference Aston is aiming to redefine Christmas dining with the launch of a new eco-friendly, low carbon emission menu.

One of the first venues in the West Midlands to launch the initiative for party nights, Conference Aston’s Christmas menu displays the carbon emissions for each dish, making it easier for the guests to celebrate with a lighter footprint and understand the environmental impact of their food choices. 

Each dish on the holiday menu comes with a carbon rating allowing guests to make informed decisions that align with their environmental values while savouring seasonal flavours.

The venue’s partnership with Kafoodle’s menu management and carbon monitoring software means the guests can now see at a glance how their food choices impact the environment. 

For example, opting for the steamed Christmas pudding, with quince jam and white rum vanilla sauce at just 0.31kg CO2e, lets diners enjoy the holidays with a minimal carbon impact.

The traditional Christmas Turkey is also one of the lowest footprints.

Incorporating these ratings and encouraging guests to make the most sustainable choice can have a huge impact on the venue and its clients, especially during the Christmas season when party nights can welcome 250 guests.

Samantha Brown, head of Conference Aston, said: “It’s a common misconception that choosing local is always better.

“But that’s not necessarily the case. This initiative encourages people to rethink their consumption habits, consider the products they’re buying, and make more ethical shopping choices.

“This updated menu aims to help people reflect on how their everyday choices affect the environment and to inspire them to make decisions that support the planet. Every small action counts and initiatives like this can spark conversations that lead to real awareness about what we can do to protect our environment.”

 Paul Harris, executive head chef at Conference Aston, added: “In our kitchen, we prioritise healthy, sustainable and responsible menu development, we work closely with our suppliers to consider the total food journey and its carbon impact from source to plate.

“This is a crucial initiative for us as sustainability is at the root of everything we do here at Conference Aston, especially given the climate crisis we’re facing. We’re incredibly proud to be contributing in any way we can.”