The Orangery wins Innovation Award at the 2025 Foodservice Cateys
Setting a powerful example for restaurants of the future, The Orangery TCR, part of the Good Eating Company, has been named the winner of the Innovation Award at the 2025 Foodservice Cateys, sponsored by RDA.
Described by judges as “eye-opening, thought-provoking and the true definition of innovating with purpose,” The Orangery TCR has been commended for redefining what a sustainable restaurant can be – combining technology, transparency, and creativity in a city-centre setting.
Opened in 2024 on Tottenham Court Road, The Orangery is home to one of London’s largest hydroponic farms and one of the first in the world to be fully integrated within a commercial restaurant. The farm sits directly beneath the dining space, supplying a variety of crops, harvested weekly and used across The Orangery’s seasonal menus.
Hydroponic farming enables the restaurant to grow produce using up to 90% less water than traditional agriculture and without the use of pesticides, achieving yields equivalent to 1.1 acres of conventional farmland. Since their launch, more than 500kg of vertically farmed produce has been used on-site, with every crop tracked to monitor environmental impact.
The Orangery’s influence extends beyond its kitchen. The team has hosted more than 300 visitors for farm tours and over 250 participants in educational workshops. Through digital storytelling using QR codes, on-site screens and social media, guests can connect directly to the farm-to-fork process, deepening engagement and awareness of sustainable dining.
This commitment to purpose has translated into commercial success: booking enquiries have doubled, sales have risen by more than 60%, and social media has grown by over 700% since opening.
Central to The Orangery’s success is its people. Chefs receive specialist training in hydroponic farming, crop life cycles, and zero-waste cooking, ensuring every element of each plant is used, from root to leaf. The beverage team incorporates farm-grown herbs into juices, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks, while front-of-house staff are trained to share the restaurant’s story with guests, guiding them through the living walls of crops that surround the space.
The Foodservice Cateys judges praised The Orangery for its forward-thinking model.
This may well be how we as consumers have to grow our food for future generations. It’s eye-opening, thought-provoking and the true definition of innovating with purpose.
The Orangery TCR is a restaurant for the future, not only reducing carbon footprint, but also showcasing homegrown produce.
By uniting cutting-edge hydroponic technology with creativity and guest engagement, The Orangery TCR is redefining what it means to dine sustainably.
Vist the Orangery at 81 New Oxford St, London WC1A 1DG
Go to the Orangery website to find out more
Find out more about The Good Eating Company