Hanni Rützler’s Food Report 2023 regrettably refers to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, which are having an impact on the entire food industry and therefore on the hotel and restaurant sector.
A healthier planet at last! “Regenerative food”, a trend that offers a way out of the crisis that continues to exist alongside the pandemic and the war in Ukraine: the climate crisis. Regenerative food production can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers and creating healthy soils with high organic matter content and greater microbial diversity.
Regenerative methods can also be well adapted to different local conditions in conventional agriculture. These include the use of different plant varieties and cover crops, agroforestry and so-called rotational grazing, where cattle, sheep and goats only graze for certain periods of time to give the pasture plants and soil time to recover. Healthy soils help to restore the natural carbon cycle and increase the soil's ability to sequester carbon and thus combat climate change.
From digital voice assistants to AI-supported training, the hotel and restaurant industry is facing a wave of innovation that is rethinking efficiency, sustainability, and the guest experience in equal measure. Four current initiatives show how future technologies are already changing operations today – and what opportunities businesses can derive from them.
Organic is booming, regionality is a key differentiator, and responsibly sourced fish is becoming increasingly relevant. Two initiatives – “Check Your Fish!” (by ASC & MSC) and the expanded organic/regional product portfolio of METRO Austria – illustrate how operators can future-proof their purchasing, menu design, and guest communication. Plus: solid statistics from Austria and a practical checklist for hospitality businesses.
In September 2025, Przemysław Klima, head chef at Bottiglieria 1881 in Krakow, will be the guest chef at Restaurant Ikarus in Hangar-7 Salzburg. The first Polish chef to receive two Michelin stars brings his distinctive signature style to Austria: Polish terroir, Nordic clarity, and the finest products, interpreted in a tasting menu full of depth and precision.
Hanni Rützler’s Food Report 2023 regrettably refers to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, which are having an impact on the entire food industry and therefore on the hotel and restaurant sector.