Local Organic Products: An Experience to Savour
The challenge: combining profitability and eco-responsibility
Carefully assess the cost/benefit ratio
Integrating organic and local products into the menu requires predictability and the ability to manage costs. For Stéphane Roth and his team, two key questions must be asked: “How much is the customer willing to spend, and how much will it cost to prepare this dish?“
Each dish is therefore designed with precision, based on its cost and the price customers are willing to pay for an offer that highlights organic and local products. “It’s the constant balance between these two factors that makes it worthwhile,” says Mr. Roth.
Photo: Bistro Hortus
A gamble that paid off
Photo: Bistro Hortus
By choosing to prioritize local organic ingredients in his kitchen, the chef was betting on the added value of these products and building loyalty with a clientele that already appreciated them. Over the years, he has observed that interest in local organic produce is not a passing trend, but rather a natural evolution. He explains: “Demand is constantly evolving and increasing slightly each year.”
Today, the chef is happy to say that he made the right bet. When asked if the period of inflation had a negative impact on his business, he simply replies: “All of my choices, including putting local organic ingredients on the menu, have allowed me to continue to ensure the growth of my restaurant’s clientele.”
“Local organic produce has become a differentiating factor that enriches the experience for customers seeking quality, who appreciate knowing the origin and traceability of the ingredients that make up their plate,” he adds.
A fruitful collaboration
The chef of Bistro Hortus explains: “We try to work in a consistent way by optimizing local organic produce and working with short supply chains, using as few suppliers and intermediaries as possible, thus reducing transportation.”
Mr. Roth’s vision is reflected on the plate. Behind the eco-friendly menus lies a solid foundation. Close relationships have been forged with local producers who offer organic products, including Vinaigrerie du Capitaine, Fromagerie des Grondines and Ferme OhBio.
A fruitful collaboration with these companies and rigorous planning based on the seasons and available produce, as well as a commitment to local sourcing, are all reflected in the chef’s choices. Moreover, these factors directly influence the design of the menus, allowing him to structure a coherent offering aligned with product availability.
