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ROYALTON CHIC CANCUN USES AI TO SLASH FOOD WASTE BY 56% IN PILOT RESTAURANT

Royalton CHIC Cancun, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort - Adults Only, part of the Blue Diamond Resorts collection, has achieved a 56% reduction in food waste at one of its nine restaurants, following a six-month pilot with Winnow, the global leader in AI-powered food waste measurement tools.

The trial took place at Elements Gourmet Buffet, a high-volume kitchen serving part of the resort’s daily 4,000 covers. Using real-time data provided by Winnow, chefs at Elements reimagined their food preparation processes - from shifting to live cooking stations for dishes like chilaquiles, to transforming surplus proteins and vegetables into gourmet ravioli and cannelloni. CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO

This initiative is part of a broader commitment by Blue Diamond Resorts to elevate operational excellence through environmental responsibility. Real-time food waste data has empowered chefs to redesign menus, optimize production, and turn surplus ingredients into gourmet creations - without compromising the five-star dining experience guests expect.

Food waste is a known challenge in all-inclusive resort environments, where complex operations, multiple outlets, and high guest volumes create conditions for inefficiency. Food waste in resorts is typically over 50% higher than in midscale or economy hotels, averaging 191 grams per cover. By embracing AI in the kitchen, Royalton CHIC Cancun is demonstrating how smart technology can unlock both sustainability gains and guest experience improvements.

“Our guests understand the intention behind waste reduction. They value sustainability, but they also expect quality. This pilot proves we don’t have to compromise,” said Luis Quintero, General Manager, Royalton CHIC Cancun.

The pilot has already saved the equivalent of 140,000 meals annually and prevented more than 246 tonnes of CO₂e emissions. The success has inspired the expansion of the program to other on-site restaurants, with three additional Blue Diamond properties now beginning their food waste reduction journey with Winnow.

“This is the first hotel to implement the system, and now we’re an example for the company, the industry, and strategic collaborators,” added Quintero.

To learn more about Blue Diamond Resorts’ sustainability journey, visit bluediamondresorts.com.