Green Tourism Gold Award for the Academy
We are absolutely thrilled to let you know that the Academy has been awarded the GOLD award for Green Tourism Business. This is an amazing achievement. The Academy team are enormously proud of this as we jumped from Bronze straight to Gold, skipping Silver.
Green Tourism Business is a leading sustainability eco-certification, and achieving Gold is no mean feat.
Academy is a best practice example of how to do it.
Academy achieves Green Key Recertification
We are proud to announce that the Academy has achieved Green Key recertification, acknowledging our ongoing efforts to develop an environmentally and socially responsible establishment.
The team has worked tirelessly to make measurable differences and will continue to work towards a more environmentally friendly future for the tourism and hospitality industry in Northern Ireland.
“Coordinated by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Green Key is a global voluntary eco-certification programme. With more than 4,000 certified hotels and other establishments in 60 countries, Green Key is the leading standard for excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism and hospitality industry. The certification process evaluates the establishments’ environmental management, energy conservation, waste management, water conservation, and other sustainable practices.”
Academy Suppliers
Academy is continually searching for new local suppliers that share our ethos for sustainable, local, artisan products. We believe that economic growth and the wellbeing of society are inextricably linked to the health of the environment.
Ausome Growsome
AuSome GrowSome CIC is a hydroponics-based centre to grow Greens and provide training opportunities for marginalised individuals.
It aims to address both business and social issues through 1) sustainable cultivation of green produce through hydroponics all year round and 2) provide training and employment opportunities to young adults on the autism spectrum and associated difficulties.
Academy has been sourcing a range of amazing microgreens from Ausome Growsome such as fenugreek, coriander, beet leaf and pea shoots
These are cultivated on vertical farms
- Provide all year-round cultivation, not dependent on weather conditions
- On an average uses 75-90% less water
- Controlled regulated environment provides 90% crop harvest
- Fresh local produce reduces the need to import
- Reduces carbon footprint by reducing transport costs.
- Vertical farms provide space saving urban or rural location
Papas Mineral Company
This is a local company producing artisan, award winning specialty cordials
Each flavour is blended by hand, and each bottle filled and finished by hand. From non alcoholic Original Ginger Wine, to the light and summery Elderflower Cordial, there is a drink for all seasons and occasions.
Academy customers have raved about the Spiced Winterberry and the Cloudy Lemonade.
Focus is on traditional and often forgotten flavours which were once popular in Northern Ireland.
Burren Balsamics
Burren Balsamics was founded on a desire to innovate, using local ingredients and time-honoured methods.
They love to champion Ireland's unbeatable produce, as they carefully infuse small-batch Balsamic Vinegar with local ingredients.
They’ve worked to develop a range of exceptional products for restaurant chefs and home cooks. Based in Armagh, Northern Ireland, the team works to ensure high-quality products that are sustainable and ethically made, using locally sourced ingredients wherever possible.
A favourite with the Academy team is the Blackberry & Thyme Infused Balsamic Vinegar
Mike's Fancy Cheese
Mike's Fancy Cheese is proud to be creating a new tradition of raw milk cheesemaking in Northern Ireland. This includes the famous Young Buck made in Newtownards.
It's a raw milk “stilton style” cheese. Aged for a minimum of 12 weeks. They make the cheese from milk by Smyth McCann’s herd of 150 Holstein Friesian cows.
Ballylisk of Armagh
Ballylisk cheese is part of a food chain which begins and ends in Ballylisk. The grass is eaten by the cows. Their milk makes the cheese.
The first cheese from county Armagh based Ballylisk dairies is the flagship Ballylisk Triple Cream called the Triple Rose. This is a must on the Academy cheese plate.
Uniquely, the company only processes milk produced on the farm which is just a few miles down the road from where the cheese is made.
Broighter Gold
Broighter Gold, Virgin Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil
The rapeseed is grown and produced in the beautiful countryside of Broglasco in Limavady. They have always been keen to work with the RSPB, Wildlife Societies, Bee Associations, Slow Food Movement and promote wildlife and pollinators along with farming on a daily basis.
They use the mintel style of farming, as they don't plough the land. This means that the soil bed is basically left untouched, with just a small seed being inserted into the ground,
Jubilee Farm Community co-operative
Community Care Farming - Care farming services that focus on human health and wellbeing - physical, mental, social and spiritual – that come from working with animals, plants, soil and other people in community.
They practice and promote care farming, community-supported agriculture (CSA), and conservation education and engagement, with people of all backgrounds and beliefs at Jubilee Farm, Northern Ireland’s first community-owned farm.
The food they produce on the farm is to the highest welfare standards. It is all chemical free, operating under no dig, with all animals enjoying an outdoor pasture, free-range, organic fed life.
All pork is produced from outdoor reared heritage pigs.
Ewing's Seafood
Belfast–based fishmongers, Ewing’s Seafoods supply fresh local fish and seafood to Northern Ireland’s top restaurants and hotels.
Northern Ireland has some of the finest fish and seafood in the world, and no one provides better quality than Ewing’s, whose smoked fish is rated one of the best in Ireland.
Walter counts himself lucky to be a fishmonger in Ireland because he says, “We have the best fish and seafood in the world.”
And it’s his experience and long standing relationships with the fishermen on the day boats around Portavogie and Kilkeel that give him the pick of the catch, the rich variety and that guaranteed freshness
Whitewater Brewing
Established 1996 on the fifth-generation family farm amidst the spectacular Mourne Mountain range in the north of Ireland, Whitewater Brewery still retains the passion and desire to brew beers with fantastic flavours.
Irish Restaurant Awards, Ulster Regional winners
'Best Sustainable Practices'
At the Academy Restaurant we believe that economic growth and the wellbeing of society are inextricably linked to the health of the environment recognising our ethical, economic, socio-cultural and governance commitments.
We embrace our responsibility for environmental leadership, and we are committed to integrating environmental practices and sustainability principles into our core business strategy. We want our initiatives and strategies to positively impact the guest experience
The Academy is committed to using the best possible ingredients and embracing the role of champion of Northern Irish culinary culture.
We strive to use ingredients that are sourced locally, on the basis of quality, flavour, freshness and seasonality, from suppliers who are committed to environmental sustainability and to the highest standards of animal welfare.
Academy supports local artisans for the supply of produce including dairy, cured meats, preserves, coffee, chocolate and alcohol. As well as showcasing high quality produce, from dedicated and skilled craftspeople, this ethos supports the local economy and food eco-system.
Sustainable travel with the Academy
The Academy is committed to promoting sustainable transport in line with the formal sustainable travel plan set out by the University. We aim to encourage our customers to travel to and from the Academy by more sustainable means.
Walking is the most sustainable way to travel. It's free, enjoyable and can help you lead an active and healthy lifestyle. Top tips for walking can be found at Home - Sustrans.org.uk
Cycling continues to grow in popularity and we all know the benefits; it’s cheap, great for the environment and really is good for you. The Academy is ideally located for cycling.
The Belfast Bikes scheme have a docking station at the Belfast Campus which is one of 49 docking stations located across the city centre.
The public hire bikes provide a low cost, convenient way to travel about. Register as a casual user or annual subscriber and the first 30 minutes of each trip is free! Bike Rental in Belfast | Rent a Bike nearby (belfastbikes.co.uk)
The Academy is also ideally placed for making use of bus or train travel
- Translink’s metro and glider services from City Hall
- Main bus and rail stations
- The route of the U1 Shuttle Service (Botanic Avenue – UU – Yorkgate Station),
- The route of the U2 Shuttle Service (Botanic Avenue – UU – Jordanstown)
To help customers find out about the travel options available, this handy travel map has been developed including information on the location of Belfast bike stations, pedestrian routes, cycling routes, train stations and bus routes
Academy Environmental Sustainability
Ulster University seek to embed a culture of sustainable thinking and action across the institution.
Sustainability at Ulster University - Sustainability at Ulster University
Menus
Academy offers a unique dining experience.
Our menus change regularly, to reflect the seasons. We respect local culinary traditions, whilst embracing innovation.