On December 18, 2024, a group of Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management students presented their sustainability action study to the manager of Slaps Bistro, a Samgyupsal Korean restaurant located in Dolores, Mabalacat City, Pampanga. The project was part of their final output for the Contemporary World course, aimed at addressing real-world issues through practical solutions.
Under the Research and Action-Based (RAB) Assessment framework of their course, the students—led by Marc Excel N. Gualva, James Herrera, Wesley Lumanlan, John Paul Manlupig, and Ana Marie Torres—conducted a study at Slaps Bistro to identify key sustainability challenges. Their research revealed a common issue faced by many Samgyupsal restaurants: the wastage of unused Romaine lettuce, which often spoils in refrigerators. At Slaps Bistro, the team found that approximately 500 grams to 1 kilogram of lettuce were going to waste daily due to being unused and eventually rotting.
To address this problem, the students proposed repurposing the excess lettuce into lettuce chips, a creative and sustainable alternative. In addition to reducing food waste, the group highlighted the health benefits of lettuce, which is rich in vitamins and minerals. They believe that developing lettuce chips can not only help solve the waste problem at Slaps Bistro but could also have a broader impact across Pampanga, where the number of Samgyupsal restaurants is steadily increasing.
Mr. Xander Montemayor, the manager of Slaps Bistro, expressed support for the initiative, noting that lettuce chips could be particularly appealing to younger customers, especially those who may not typically enjoy eating vegetables. He believes the innovative snack could offer a fun and healthy alternative to traditional side dishes, while also contributing to the restaurant's sustainability efforts.
The students' project is a testament to the growing role of hospitality students in promoting environmental sustainability and health-conscious eating habits within the foodservice industry.
