Airport Experience® News - Retail & Services Issue 2025

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS SUSTAINABILITY IN THE KITCHEN Plaza Premium Group Leverages AI Technology to Tackle Food Waste

BY ANDREAS HOEHNE, GLOBAL DIRECTOR, CULINARY, GROUP OPERATIONS – PLAZA PREMIUM GROUP

technology, already trusted by renowned international hotel brands, brings valuable expertise to help us implement a sustainable, data-driven approach that minimizes waste while optimizing kitchen efficiency. Their deep understanding of food service supply chains for commercial kitchens has been instrumental in shifting both mindsets and operational practices across our kitchens. Historically, chefs often prepared food without accurately considering guest counts, and we relied heavily on manual food waste tracking methods which lacked the accuracy required to make impactful improvements. Winnow’s system uses image recognition to track food waste in real time, delivering detailed insights into what is discarded and why. Every day, our team receives comprehensive data reports and photos of wasted items, enabling better decisions on inventory management, portion control, menu planning and ingredient reuse. As the saying goes, “What gets measured gets managed.” By leveraging cutting-edge technology, we ensure our culinary efforts are more targeted and cost-efficient. Pilot Success At KUL Last October, we began piloting the program at our operations in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), where we operate three lounges and three dining outlets. The initiative allows chefs and kitchen teams to analyze the sources of food waste and implement practical changes,

lobally, food waste has been a pressing issue. According to the Food and Agriculture

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Organization, nearly one-third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted each year. Food waste is also being addressed under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. In the hospitality industry alone, food waste costs over $100 billion annually. Commercial kitchens can discard up to 20% of the food they purchase – often equal to their entire net profit. Sustainability has also become an increasingly critical priority for airports worldwide, especially as passenger traffic surges and airport expansions accelerate. Plaza Premium Group (PPG), a global leader in airport hospitality with expansive operations serving more than 24 million passengers a year across more than 600 airports worldwide including major hubs such as Dallas Fort Worth, London Heathrow, Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Toronto Pearson, recognizes the importance of tackling food waste and creating meaningful impact in the aviation industry. Leveraging Technology At PPG, we embrace different technologies to drive operational efficiencies and customer excellence. We have recently engaged Winnow, a pioneer in AI-powered food waste management. Winnow’s

Above: Andreas Hoehne is global director, culinary, group operations for Plaza Premium Group.

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AX NEWS SEPTEMBER 2025