The Green Orchid will generate more energy than it consumes

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida has opened a new “garden-to-table” restaurant called the Green Orchid.

Designed by Overland Partners and operated by Michael’s On East, the eatery is powered by solar energy. Per a press release, it will be the world’s first net-positive restaurant, generating more energy than it consumes.

Fresh produce is supplied to the Green Orchid by the botanical gardens‘ new edible garden, which is adjacent to the restaurant.

“The new restaurant is a great fit for Selby Gardens, with a focus on sustainability and providing wonderful dishes with ingredients from local farms and our rooftop garden,” said Jennifer Rominiecki, president and CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

“Our goal is to be best-in-class in everything we do, and the Green Orchid more than meets that standard.”

The restaurant’s kitchen features state-of-the-art electric and induction cooking facilities, with no gas or flame used. Instead, electromagnetic fields heat pots and pans directly.

Garden-to-table dining

“We are focused on making the garden-to-table offerings at the Green Orchid both fresh and distinctive,” said Michael Klauber, co-proprietor of Michael’s On East.

He added: “Doing garden-to-table well – especially while using electric and induction cooking techniques – requires a high level of skill and inventiveness. We believe that visitors will be impressed.”

The Green Orchid is part of the first phase of a three-phase expansion plan for Selby Garden’s downtown Sarasota campus. It is located in the Living Energy Access Facility (LEAF), which has a 50,000-square-foot solar array.

Images courtesy of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

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