I’ve got a lot of questions about SURPLUS, so I decided to put together this quick FAQ page with some of the most common questions about SURPLUS. If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out at any time.
Frequently asked questions:
1. What exactly is the SURPLUS app?
SURPLUS is the brand-new food waste learning platform created by Chef Vojtech Vegh. SURPLUS operates on a membership basis and is designed for chefs who want to learn how to prevent food waste in their kitchens. SURPLUS comes with a mobile app, so think of it as a learning platform in your pocket, available any time you need it.
2. What is inside SURPLUS?
SURPLUS brings together years of my expertise and best practices on food waste prevention in commercial kitchens. All of my existing content is now in one place, in different formats.
Here is what you will find inside:
A searchable catalogue of byproducts with upcycling tips
A library of my zero-waste recipes
Food waste prevention courses built for chefs, with certification
Downloadable resources, worksheets and kitchen posters
List of best practices for every type of food waste
Deep-dive into circular menu engineering
Live monthly Q&A sessions for direct support
Weekly members-only newsletter
New content is continuously added, so if there is anything specific you would like to find inside SURPLUS, feel free to reach out with your requests at any time.
3. Who is SURPLUS for?
SURPLUS is for every chef who wants to think differently in the kitchen. Whether you are an Executive Chef or Chef de Partie, you can learn the best ways to prevent food waste in your kitchen.
Executive Chefs can learn how to engineer circular menus, how to plan for byproducts and how to train their chefs, while junior chefs can upskill themselves in specific topics in food waste prevention that are most beneficial for their role.
SURPLUS is suited for all chefs, whether you are new to food waste prevention or if you want to push your reductions even further.
4. Why should I join SURPLUS?
SURPLUS makes it easy to access all the resources on food waste prevention, as it allows you to have all the important content at your fingertips. If you want to learn how to think differently about food waste prevention in commercial kitchens, SURPLUS is for you.
5. Is SURPLUS useful for every commercial kitchen?
Currently, SURPLUS is useful for every commercial kitchen where fresh food is prepared or served on site. Whether it’s a hotel, resort, catering, standalone restaurant, cruise ship, casino or anything in between, chefs can apply their learnings from SURPLUS.
6. Is a team plan available on SURPLUS?
Yes. A team plan is available for SURPLUS, so all the content and courses can be used to train your chefs in food waste prevention. Progress and engagement reports can be provided for each user, and tailored options with customisations are available on Enterprise plans. For more details, please get in touch.
7. How can chefs use the SURPLUS app?
The SURPLUS app is designed for chefs on a busy schedule, so everyone can find their own way of making use of the app.
Here are a few ways to use the SURPLUS app:
Find new upcycling ideas in the searchable catalogue of byproducts
Find new zero-waste recipes in the library
Complete the mini-courses on specific topics
Get your CPD certificate in food waste prevention
Join the monthly Q&A sessions for direct support
Enjoy the weekly members-only newsletter
Use the resources, worksheets and kitchen posters in your kitchen
You can find the element that is most useful to you. The content comes in different formats, so everyone can find what works best for them. You can use SURPLUS during your new menu development, to upskill your chefs in food waste prevention, or whenever you need inspiration for new ideas.
8. Why is the SURPLUS app not free?
The content of the SURPLUS app and its development required significant resources, and I am unable to offer all of my work for free. The app contains all of my existing content, and new content and features are continuously developed.
I kept the membership as affordable as possible, so every chef can learn about food waste prevention. Many employers reimburse spending on learning, if pre-approved, so you don’t have to pay for this out of pocket. Check with your employer before joining SURPLUS.
9. Will the SURPLUS app help me to reduce food waste?
It depends. You will find courses and resources that will guide you in food waste reduction and a lot of other content, but actual results depend on what you implement in your kitchen. The SURPLUS app is not a replacement for private training or consulting, and all results depend on your actions.
10. Is the SURPLUS app useful for catering operations?
The SURPLUS app is useful for any kitchen where fresh food is being produced or served, regardless of the type of operation.
11. Can we use the SURPLUS app as a training platform for our chefs?
Absolutely. Team plans are available with tailored options, and all courses can be used to train your chefs in specific topics, including a CPD certificate.
Progress and engagement reports can be provided for each user, and private channels can be created within the app for custom content.
Get in touch for more details.
Learn more about the SURPLUS app here: SURPLUS app.