Ivan Higney, Catering Manager and Matt Turpie, Head Chef

University of Cambridge - Darwin College

Both Ivan Higney and Matt Turpie have engaged from an early stage to promote more sustainable catering for Darwin College.

Some outcomes of their work include:

• No ruminant meat since 2019.
• Formals Halls are by default vegetarian- opt in for higher carbon meals.
• Engaged in University of Cambridge research to facilitate research and benefit from results.
• Menu engineering – plant-based first, informed by research.
• All in-house catering is plant-based.
• 75% of servery offer is plant-based.
• Training of catering staff in plant-based meals production and displays.
• Act as consultants to student led events - May Ball 2023 & 24 are all plant-based.
• Instigated student activities such as: 
  - International Food festivals.
  - Grape picking at local Vineyard and supplier.
  - Cookery demonstrations on plant-based foods (e.g. how a local Cambridgeshire-grown carrot became the centerpiece of the annual Darwin Dinner starter dish).

Top 3 Learnings

1. Education – teach the team the reasoning.
2. Sustainable food is delicious – innovative menus and dishes are key.
3. Collaboration is key. All actors involved are consulted.