As Head of Culinary – Europe, Paul Bloxham champions a smarter approach to reducing food waste in kitchens.
Here, he highlights the true cost of waste and shares simple, practical tips to help every chef turn scraps into something special.
The cost of kitchen waste
In kitchens everywhere, whether at home or in professional restaurants, the amount of food waste is staggering. Recent research from WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) and the ‘Guardians of Grub’ campaign highlights that over £3 billion worth of food is wasted annually across the UK hospitality sector (WRAP, 2023).
And at home, we’re no better. In the UK alone, 60% of all food waste occurs in domestic kitchens, with around 4.7 million tonnes of edible food discarded every year (WRAP, Household Food Waste 2021).
Globally, agriculture uses approximately 70% of freshwater resources, yet millions of tonnes of food go uneaten (UN FAO, 2021).
The problem isn’t just about wasted ingredients; it’s about wasted energy, water, money, and resources. From overripe bananas to surplus bread, every unnecessary discard contributes to a costly cycle that hits households, businesses, and the planet hard.
But the good news? Every kitchen has the power to change this. And it starts with rethinking what we consider “waste.”
Top tips for waste-conscious cooking
Transforming scraps into something delicious doesn’t need to be complicated. Here are practical ways to waste less and save more:
1. Freeze first, think later
Unsure what to do with leftovers? Freeze them. Bread, fruit peels, veg offcuts - freezing gives you time to plan and experiment without rushing.
2. Bread should never be binned
Stale bread? Perfect. Blitz into breadcrumbs, toast into crostini, cube into croutons, or even blend into dips like bread hummus. If nothing else, freeze slices for quick toasting later.
3. Master the art of pickling and preserving
Pickling isn't just trendy - it’s practical. Make quick pickles with spare veggies, ferment scraps into kimchi, or blend wilting greens and herb stems into vibrant pestos.
4. Discover aquafaba magic
That liquid from canned chickpeas? It’s aquafaba, and it works wonders as an egg substitute in baking, especially meringues or creamy sauces. Waste-free and plant-friendly.
5. Treat skins and stems like ingredients
Broccoli stalks, carrot tops, and beetroot skins aren’t waste - they’re opportunities. Use them in stocks, soups, chutneys, or even as a base for purees.
6. Rethink “gone off”
Brown bananas, soft tomatoes and wilted herbs are the stars of waste-conscious cooking. Think banana peel relishes, tomato sauces, and herb purees.
Looking ahead: a waste-not future
The food industry is undergoing a major shift, driven by consumer demand for sustainability and healthier choices. By 2026, expect to see waste-conscious cooking becoming a norm, not a niche. From breweries turning surplus bread into craft beers to chefs using banana skins in pasta sauces, creativity is leading the way.
Every ingredient saved, every recipe reimagined, and every crumb counted contributes to a less wasteful, more sustainable future.
So, next time you're in the kitchen, pause before you toss. Less waste, big flavours, better habits. After all, every leftover deserves a second chance.
Interested in more culinary tips to enhance your menu offerings?
Get in touch with us at Hello_Ireland@avendra.com. In the meantime, explore our creative, waste-conscious recipes that turn leftovers into delicious meals.
Nearly gone-offie loaf cake
Serves 16 slices
Ingredients:
5 over ripe bananas, mashed
100ml Coconut Oil
150g unrefined sugar
2 eggs
10ml vanilla extract
Zest of one Lemon
250g gluten free flour, doves farm self-raising
100g gluten free oats
10g baking powder
Pinch of salt
150mls Greek yogurt
50ml runny honey
1 apple grated
100g chocolate pistolles
Method:
Simply mix all of the ingredients together into a batter. Line a loaf or cake tin with parchment paper. Pour into the cake tin and bake for 45 mins at 175C. Drizzle with Honey to serve and glaze
Pickling isn't just trendy - it’s practical. Make quick pickles with spare veggies, ferment scraps into kimchi, or blend wilting greens and herb stems into vibrant pestos.
Yesterdays Croissant
Smashed Avocado, Poached Eggs, Kimchi & Mushroom
Ingredients:
1 croissants, 1 day old
Half ripe Haas avocado
5mls lime juice
2g red pepper flakes or to taste
2 free range eggs
10 mls vinegar for poaching eggs
20g Kimchi Puree
salt and pepper to taste
Coriander, pea shoots and or rocket leaves optional
2 large button mushrooms
Method:
Press and toast croissant in a sandwich press on on a grill with a flatiron. Remove avocado flesh from the avocado and smash with the chilli flakes, lime juice and salt and pepper. Puree Kimchi to a sauce consistency and decant into a squeezy bottle. Poach eggs in salted acidulated vinegar water to desired doneness. To serve top the croissant with the smashed avocado , followed by the poached eggs, then the kimchi sauce and top with rocket, pea-shoots and or coriander if using. Finish with finely grated button mushroom for added finesse
