Baker & Spice Dubai recieves first ethical award

Baker & Spice Dubai has become the first restaurant business globally to receive a Social Value Certification by the Environmental and Ethical Certification Institute (ICEA).

Operations director Mohamad El Chehimi said, "We have been audited and reviewed by the ICEA certifiers in Italy on how we manage and run all aspects of our business.  

"In a city where food and restaurants are the lifeblood of day to day society, we are proud and honoured to receive such accreditation for our efforts and that the Baker & Spice Dubai ethos has been recognised in this way".

The review involved access to all areas of the business: how Baker & Spice Dubai sources ingredients and their quality, the company's relationship with its suppliers and farmers, the production and quality of the restaurant's offerings, right through to customer interaction and satisfaction.

The assessors also looked at how the brand as a whole contributes to the community and environment - and the Farmers' Market initiative was a consideration for this. It is genuinely dedicated to farmers and local farming and is now in its fifth season.

Areas such as internal HR processes, relations between management and staff, and even waste management were also considered.

The ICEA is a consortium established to monitor and certify companies that carry out their activities with respect for people and nature, ensuring workers rights to dignity and the rights of consumers.