The movement of health and nutrition is one of the major features of the British food industry scene, and whereas previously it has not featured hugely in the dining out sector. Sano School of Medicine was opened two years ago by Doug and Heather Richards and Medicinal Chef Dale Pinnock as an accredited nutrional education group of businesses. The launch of Sano To Go on Grays Inn Road gives customers the opportunity to experience their take on nutrition and what it actually means as a served meal.
Doug’s journey towards a more nutrionally led life came from experiences that he and his wife had with two of their three daughters, who had allergen issues growing up. Heather trained to become a nutrionist, initially as an antedote to their children’s allergy issues. However she met Dale as part of that discovery process and it has now become their combined opportunity to persue a life dream.
Sano stands for ‘Healthy’ in Spanish and Portuguese, and tracing its origins further back ‘healthy mind and body’ in Latin. Witnessing the ‘fad’ society creating confusion and a lack of clarity, they decided to wade in and create a group around fact not fad. Ultimately Sano is about empowering people in educating them about healthy eating and providing choices.
Every individual adapts to their own personal circumstances, and they are passionate about helping people select the right choices for them. It is not about ‘before and after’ pictures about how good or not you look following a course of prescribed treatment.
With 300 students enrolling since start up, it made sense to set up their own food outlet – Sano To Go – where consumers can begin to understand their version of nutrition and heath.
They have three basic guidelines
- Traceable and sustainable
Every ingredient is sourced from traceable and sustainable farmers and suppliers.
- Eat the rainbow – Nutrional density
Every plate of food has a wide variety of colours and vitamins and minerals.
- Nutrional science in mind.
They ignore the fads of the latest ‘wonga wonga’ berries and focus on what has a balance of nutrition. Many a high street chain will offer superfood salads, but then pack it full of carbohydrates – rice and potato – but not a lot of protein.
So what does drink mean in a place like Sano? Doug is quick to point out that though they don’t serve alcohol at the moment, they wouldn’t rule it out at some point in the future. They are not there to be holier than thou, dictating what or whether people should be drinking alcohol or how many units of alcohol they should have.
They do serve healthy juices, smoothies and coffee. Here Doug points out that accessibility is also important. Where many outlets might be charging £7 for a smoothie or protein shake, Sano charges from £4.95. Making health accessible, and a significant part of that equation is price, means that value has to great and the price level has to be within reasonable reach of the ‘ordinary’ Londoner.
They do serve coffee, a reputed toxin, and there again Doug points out that there have been many studies that highlight the benefits of coffee, providing you aren’t glugging 10 cups a day. Like most of human vices, consume it in moderation and ensure that you understand what moderation means.
Doug’s favourite drink is the coffee during the day, however having spent much time in Japan, does enjoy Sake and Sushi. Whilst he lays no claims to being a Sake expert, he does enjoy the boom in speciality Sakes currently taking place.
So health comes to the dining out sector, and some will say about time too. The reality for many of us is that when we dine out, it is an excuse to toss the health rule book out the window, shut our eyes and tell ourselves that we can do that tomorrow. However the reality should be that healthy eating is a habit, can be a feast for eyes, smell and palate. As Doug says – eat the rainbow – sounds like a fun thing to do!
Alistair Morrell, Hospitality & Catering News, Wine & Drinks Editor