A local tech business will put Newry on the world stage later this month when it competes as a finalist in UN Tourism’s 4th Global Gastronomy Tourism Startup Competition.
Kitchen OS, based at WIN Business Park in the city, will showcase its F*** Waste Platform at the UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in Bahrain.
In recognition of its transformative approach to sustainable food waste management, F*** Waste was named a finalist in the Sustainability and Waste category. This marks a significant achievement in the mission to drive sustainability within the gastronomy tourism sector.
Kitchen OS founder Neil Bradley will present the F*** Waste platform on November 19 at the 9th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in Manama, Bahrain. Neil, a former chef and restaurateur turned tech entrepreneur, brings unique insights from his extensive experience in the hospitality industry.
His career began in the kitchen, where he founded and ran two successful restaurants. Having witnessed first-hand the restaurant industry’s pressing operational and sustainability challenges, Bradley created Kitchen OS in 2020 to provide practical, tech-driven solutions to help businesses thrive. F*** Waste embodies this mission, offering a pioneering approach to food waste reduction for restaurants, hotels, and tourism venues.
The UN Tourism’s Global Gastronomy Tourism Startup Competition, hosted in partnership with the Basque Culinary Center, highlights innovations aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that drive sustainable, socially responsible growth in gastronomy tourism. Kitchen OS’s selection as a finalist affirms the potential of F*** Waste to make a lasting impact in the sector.
Neil explains, “ I spent over 25 years in professional kitchens, first as a chef and then as a restaurant owner in both Newry and Warrenpoint, so I know intimately how difficult it is to succeed in the industry.
“Hospitality and food service operators are struggling with low margins and rising costs, yet a significant amount of money ends up in the bin every day, most of it completely unnecessarily.
“Through the F** Waste platform we can track when & where food waste happens, then through data analytics we can pin point why it is happening, thereby giving the business the knowledge required to cut their food waste waste and therefore cut costs.”
“We’re incredibly honoured that F*** Waste has been recognised by UN Tourism’s Startup Competition” added Neil. “I look forward to presenting our solution on stage in Bahrain. F*** Waste is more than a technology platform; it’s a commitment to creating a sustainable future for the hospitality industry, and this recognition by UN Tourism reinforces the importance of our work.”
Finalist Benefits
- Mentorship and Tailored Support: Guidance from UN Tourism and Basque Culinary Center mentors to help maximise F*** Waste’s industry impact.
- Investment Opportunities: Access to funding opportunities for continued growth and development.
- Network Access and Culinary Action! Roadshow: Membership in the UN Tourism Innovation Network and a feature in the Culinary Action! roadshow, connecting F*** Waste to potential partners and stakeholders.
F*** Waste Platform Features and Benefits
- Smart Scale Integration: IoT-enabled smart scales record the type and weight of food waste in real time, eliminating the need for manual tracking and allowing staff to focus on waste reduction.
- Real-Time Data and Automated Analytics: F*** Waste provides immediate insights into food waste patterns, making it easy for kitchen teams to identify areas for improvement. Automated daily, weekly, and monthly reports offer data-driven recommendations to reduce waste.
- AI-Powered Actionable Insights: The platform generates actionable steps to curb waste, such as optimising portion sizes, revising inventory management, and adjusting menus. These AI-driven recommendations empower staff to make meaningful changes that prevent excess waste.
- Cloud-Based Access Across Multiple Locations: The platform’s secure, cloud-based interface allows multi-location food service providers to monitor waste data across all locations, enabling consistent, organisation-wide waste reduction strategies.
- Cost and Environmental Impact Metrics: F*** Waste translates waste reduction into measurable financial and environmental impacts, including cost savings and reductions in CO₂ emissions. This provides businesses with a clear sustainability narrative that resonates with customers and stakeholders.
Proven Benefits of F*** Waste for Businesses
- Significant Waste Reduction: F*** Waste has demonstrated over a 50% reduction in food waste, helping businesses directly reduce waste disposal costs and conserve resources.
- High ROI and Cost Savings: With an estimated 14:1 ROI, F*** Waste delivers considerable financial returns by optimising purchasing decisions, reducing waste management fees, and lowering food storage requirements.
- Enhanced Operational Efficiency: By automating the waste tracking process, F*** Waste saves staff time and reduces administrative tasks, improving overall kitchen efficiency and allowing employees to focus on their core responsibilities.
- Strengthened Brand Reputation: Businesses using F*** Waste showcase their commitment to sustainability, appealing to the growing segment of environmentally-conscious consumers. The platform also supports compliance with waste management regulations, providing comprehensive reports for audits and certifications.
