MANDARIN ORIENTAL EMBRACES ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO SET A
NEW STANDARD IN FOOD WASTE REDUCTION FOR LUXURY HOSPITALITY● Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will install Winnow technology in its 40 hotels● The rollout follows a 6 month pilot where food waste was reduced by 36% in four hotels

Hong Kong, 5 June 2024 -- On the United Nations’ World Environment Day, Mandarin
Oriental Hotel Group is delighted to announce a significant stride in environmental stewardshipwith the goal of having Winnow’s food waste technology installed across all its hotels by theend of 2025. This initiative is a testament to Mandarin Oriental’s commitment to setting a new
standard for sustainability in the luxury hospitality sector.
In a resounding endorsement of the effectiveness of Winnow’s AI technology, Mandarin
Oriental has already observed a remarkable 36% reduction in food waste in four pilot hotels:
Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong; Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London; Mandarin Oriental,Miami; and Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah, Dubai. These impressive results underscore theGroup's dedication to operational excellence and environmental responsibility.
-more-Page 2Implementing Winnow’s cutting-edge technology across all Mandarin Oriental hotels is coreto the Group’s broader sustainability strategy. In the knowledge that food waste accounts for
up to 10% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions 1 and that between 5-15% of the foodpurchased by kitchens is typically wasted, contributing to the Group’s goal to reduce waste
intensity by 50% by 2030. This commitment is aligned with the United Nations SDG 12.3,
which aims to halve global per capita food waste by 2030.
Winnow’s data will enable hotel teams to make informed decisions that positively impact boththe environment and their bottom line, with kitchens typically saving between 2-8% on foodcosts. Initiatives to manage food waste will expand upon existing ones, including colleague
educational campaigns, overhauling buffet operations, donating excess edible food, andinnovative composting programmes to improve soil condition and support efficient absorptionof rainwater.
With Mandarin Oriental restaurants holding 26 Michelin Stars around the world including
Michelin’s Green-star recognition at Amber, the signature French fine-dining restaurant at The
Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, the Group also looks forward to leveraging thecreative platform of their chefs to raise awareness on the importance of tackling food waste.
Looking ahead, chefs will be able to use insights from Winnow’s data to inform zero waste
menus and recipes.
Torsten van Dullemen, Group Director of Sustainability and Area Vice President Operations,states, “Our commitment to sustainability goes hand in hand with our promise to deliver
exceptional guest experiences. The integration of Winnow’s technology across our global
portfolio is a bold step towards reducing our ecological impact and reinforcing our position as
an industry leader.”-more-1

https://www.worldwildlife.org/press-releases/over-1-billion-tonnes-more-food-being-wasted-thanpreviously-estimated-contributing-10-of-all-greenhouse-gas-emissions

Page 3Marc Zornes, CEO & Co-founder of Winnow, comments, “Mandarin Oriental is at theforefront of sustainability in luxury hospitality. Our collaboration is already demonstrating thepowerful impact of technology and data in reducing food waste. We’re honoured to support
Mandarin Oriental in their ambitious goals, and together, we’re not only setting new industry
standards but also making a tangible difference for our planet.”
Successful pilot programmes at Mandarin Oriental hotels in Miami, Dubai, London and Hong
Kong resulted in annualized net savings of USD 207,000, 66 tonnes of food waste, and 289
tonnes in CO2e emissions. 2 The Group will be building on this success by rolling out Winnow’s
technology to all 40 hotels by the end of 2025.
Notes to the editor
How AI works at Mandarin Oriental
The Winnow technology implemented in Mandarin Oriental’s kitchens enables staff toseamlessly track exactly what wastage occurs throughout their production stream. With thisdata, users are empowered to optimize efficiency, change behaviors, and drive significant waste
reductions.
Designed to require minimal interaction, the Winnow system consists of a camera, smart-scale
and tablet. The camera, featuring computer vision trained to identify over 600 food items,
automatically identifies waste as it is thrown away. The weight and cost of the food discarded
is then instantly calculated and displayed.
All captured data is uploaded to the cloud, where food waste from each day is recorded andanalysed. With the preparation of daily, weekly, and monthly reports, Mandarin Oriental
kitchens receive the necessary information to drive operational efficiencies, change behaviors,
and innovate on techniques in preparation, cooking and plating.
-more-

2 CO2e emissions are calculated by multiplying weight savings by 4.3. This is a blend of an FAO estimate of

4.6x and a WRAP estimate of 3.9x.

Page 4
The result is a win-win: using AI in its kitchens will allow Mandarin Oriental to improve its
signature quality of service alongside significant reductions in costs and environmental impact.
About Winnow
Winnow builds artificial intelligence tools to help chefs run more profitable and sustainable
kitchens by cutting food waste in half. Launched in a single staff restaurant in 2013, Winnow
has now been adopted by more than 2,500 sites globally. Winnow is a registered B Corporation
operating in 77 countries with offices in Chicago, London, Dubai, Singapore, and Cluj-Napoca.
Collectively, Winnow users are saving $70m annually, the equivalent of 50m meals a year frombeing wasted. For more information, visit www.winnowsolutions.com.
About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Mandarin Oriental is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s mostluxurious hotels, resorts and residences. Recognised for creating exceptional properties, each
destination reflects the Group’s oriental heritage, local culture and unique design. The Group’s
mission is to completely delight and inspire guests through delivering passionate service.
Having grown from its Asian roots over 60 years ago into a global brand, the Group now
operates 40 hotels, 12 residences and 23 exclusive homes in 26 countries and territories withmany more projects under development. Mandarin Oriental continues to drive its reputation as
an innovative leader in luxury hospitality, delivering sustainable growth over the long term.
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