Awards can be effectively used as a marketing tool on the website, social media channels and on the menu to attract the interest of potential guests and convince them of the high quality of your offering. Restaurants that are also committed to sustainability and environmental protection can demonstrate that they are aware of their responsibilities by obtaining the appropriate certifications. Here are the most relevant seals and awards for gastronomy.
Organic seal
The German organic seal is awarded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and identifies organic products from organic farming. It proves that the food used was produced without chemical pesticides and without genetic engineering. Restaurateurs who use this seal of approval attach importance to sustainable and environmentally conscious gastronomy.
In order to use the organic seal on the menu, at the counter or on panels, prior inspection and appropriate approval is required. Then, it must be clearly marked which dishes or ingredients can be assigned to the organic label. Also, the code number of the inspection body must be indicated next to the seal.
ECARF quality seal
The ECARF quality sealstands for allergy-friendly restaurants and offers guidance to guests with allergies and intolerances. Restaurants that have been certified by the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF) have taken special measures to offer allergy-friendly food labeled "free from" or according to the criteria of the "extended declaration".
The ECARF quality seal also confirms that unintentional contact of allergens with the respective products during the manufacturing process is excluded. This requires gastronomic businesses to demonstrate effective allergen management with special hygiene regulations. The quality seal gives allergy sufferers the assurance that they can dine in the certified restaurant without any worries.
DEHOGA environmental check
With the DEHOGA environmental check, the German Hotel and Restaurant Association (DEHOGA) offers a certification for sustainable management in gastronomy. Restaurants carrying this seal have taken special measures to save resources and protect the environment. The environmental check covers areas such as energy and water consumption, waste management and food (e.g. regional, fair trade, organic).
EMAS certification
EMAS is a European environmental management system that helps restaurants reduce their environmental impact. A central component for the distinction for gastronomic businesses is the publishing of an externally validated environmental statement. Restaurants that achieve EMAS certification have taken special measures in the areas of energy efficiency, material efficiency, water, waste, biodiversity and emissions to operate in an environmentally conscious manner and find solutions for a sustainable future.
Viabono certification
Viabono GmbH was founded as a result of an initiative by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, the German Federal Environmental Agency and associations such as DEHOGA. The professional organization was established in 2001 to promote sustainable tourism in Germany. The Viabono certification evaluates companies on the basis of key figures in the areas of final energy, CO₂, water and residual waste. The award allows restaurants to demonstrate their environmentally conscious and sustainable practices.
Restaurant guides
Toques, stars, or forks are a staple in gastronomy. They are an important guide for culinary enthusiasts and an excellent advertisement for your restaurant. They serve as a figurehead and signal to guests that something special is on offer in your establishment. While quality seals are primarily placed in the dining room or on the menu, awards from restaurant guides can be placed directly on the window or entrance door, attracting visitors from afar.
Among the most important restaurant guides are: Gault&Millau (toques and points), Guide Michelin (stars) and Falstaff (forks and points). Tests and ratings are based on anonymous restaurant visits. If you would like to see your restaurant represented in one of the specific guides, you can register directly with the respective restaurant guide.
Slow Food Gourmet Guide
The Slow Food Gourmet Guide focuses on the preparation of the dishes and the ingredients used. These must conform to the ideal of the Slow Food movement and consequently be "slow". Good, clean, fair, regional, seasonal, fresh, authentic and inexpensive are the evaluation criteria here. The Slow Food Gourmet Guide therefore only recommends restaurants that offer regional cuisine and comply with slow food principles.
