2023-09-25 11:46:12
Brussels (OTS) – The EU Organic Awards were presented on September 25, 2023 in Brussels at the headquarters of the European Commission under the patronage of EU Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski.
The largest organic restaurant in the world, Luftburg – Kolarik im Prater, was named winner in the “Best Organic Restaurant” category.
Paul Kolarik, owner and managing director, who personally accepted the award: “The joy about this special award at European level is enormous. After all, this is about our life’s work or – better said – family work. We used the pandemic to reinvent ourselves and reopened after the lockdowns as the largest fully certified organic restaurant in the world. This award is confirmation that the path we have taken in recent years is the right one. We like to be pioneers and hope to attract even more like-minded people in the tourism industry.”
After the award ceremony, Paul Kolarik took part in the discussion “Organic food processors, retailers and restaurants connecting with consumers” led by Peter Schmidt, representative of the European Economic and Social Committee.
Die EU Organic Awards
The EU Organic Awards were created to recognize various actors along the organic value chain who have developed an innovative, sustainable and inspiring project with real added value for organic production and consumption.
In support of this objective, the Commission adopted the Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production in March 2021, including the introduction of annual awards to recognize excellence in the organic value chain.
The EU Organic Awards are jointly organized by the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Region, COPA-COGECA and IFOAM Organics Europe and are awarded in 7 categories.
The restaurant “Luftburg – Kolarik im Prater” was already a finalist in 2022 and won the EU Organic Award in the “Best Organic Restaurant” category in 2023.
The Luftburg – Kolarik restaurant in the Prater
The Luftburg – Kolarik restaurant in the Prater has been organically certified since 2018. The company was awarded the City of Vienna’s Environmental Prize in 2019 for switching to 100% organic cuisine. In 2020, Bianca and Paul Kolarik took over the family business. The pandemic and the associated lockdowns were used for extensive restructuring and a new brand identity. At the same time, the entire range was converted to 100% organic. Since 2021, the Luftburg – Kolarik restaurant in the Prater has been the largest fully certified organic restaurant in the world. The restaurant can accommodate more than 1,200 guests with the guarantee that every dish and drink is organically certified.
In the family-friendly company – the adjacent Luftburg adventure world for children gives the organic restaurant its name – there is entertainment for the little ones on every corner.
As an eco-label company, the focus is on sustainability. The electricity requirement is covered 100% by renewable energy sources, including the in-house photovoltaic system. Waste oil is processed into biodiesel, water and energy-saving devices are used and an Austrian smart home system ensures that energy is only used when necessary. In addition, one employee is currently being trained to become a sustainability manager.
Strengthening the national value chain is another important point for the Kolarik family. Among other things, she is particularly proud of only serving organic meat from Austria.
Further information on the topic of sustainability in the Luftburg can be found at: www.kolarik.at/nachhaltigkeit
Factbox:
Restaurant Luftburg – Kolarik im Prater
Prater 128
1020 Wien
- 2018: First organic certification “Naturally good food – bronze”
- 2019: Within a year, all dishes were converted to 100% organic – certification “Naturally eat well – gold” and received the environmental award from the City of Vienna
- 2020: Takeover of the company by Bianca & Paul Kolarik
- 2021: Renovation and new brand identity, conversion of the entire range to 100% organic
- The Luftburg – Kolarik in the Prater is the largest fully certified organic restaurant in the world (1,200 seats)
- 2023: Winner of the EU Organic Award in the “Best Organic Restaurant” category
Related Links:
EU Organic Awards
European Economic and Social Committee
European Committee of the Regions
Eat well, of course
Environmental Prize 2019
Questions & Contact:
Karin Dopplinger
presse@kolarik.at
Tel.: +43 676 842 130 106
1695643273
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