Selby Gardens’ new restaurant in Florida will source produce from rooftop
Photo by Ian Swaby
The Green Orchid by Michael’s On East, said to be the world’s first net-positive energy restaurant, will open to the public in February.
By Ian Swaby
Your Observer
February 8, 2024
Excerpt:
The answer was simple; the restaurant utilizes induction heating equipment, which performs heat transfer through an electromagnetic field.
It’s part of the restaurant’s mission of energy efficiency.
When it holds its soft opening on Feb. 19, The Green Orchid will be the world’s first net-positive energy restaurant — meaning it generates more energy than it consumes — according to Selby Gardens’ president and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki.
In a setup that she said has never been used to such advantage before, the restaurant’s power comes from a nearly 50,000-square-foot solar array placed atop the parking garage to which the restaurant is attached, also called the Living Energy Access Facility.
“Potentially no one may have attempted it, even,” said Rominiecki. “And we’re able to attempt at such an incredible level, because of the very generous philanthropic support we have received for the project.”
