Tom Douglas plans to cut restaurant portions to fight waste

BY Josh Kerns  on August 8, 2012 @ 5:32 am (Updated: 7:17 am - 8/8/12 )

cedargrove
Tom Douglas says he's looking to cut portions to fight waste at his dozen Seattle restaurants (AP file photo)

While restaurant meals keep getting super sized, millions of Americans continue to go hungry. Seattle resterauter Tom Douglas says that needs to change.

The host of Seattle Kitchen is looking to cut portions and feed the hungry at the same time.

Douglas tells Q13 he's regularly stunned by how much food goes to waste at his numerous Seattle restaurants.

"I just want the best for our customers and yet still, naturally in a restaurant you give them enough so they're not hungry. But it's often a little bit too much," Douglas says.

A recent CDC study found the average restaurant meal grew four times larger than it was in the 1950's, and 40 percent larger than meals in other countries. Douglas says it's time to cut back.

"I think that we're going to have to change our portions a bit and go to mostly separate things."

Douglas says while he hasn't worked out all the details, he'll likely start with smaller portions at his Palace Kitchen, then do the same at all of his restaurants. He says he plans to start serving more meals "family style", so that everyone can get enough but not overeat or waste left over food.

The issue is personal to Douglas. He's worked tirelessly to fight hunger, serving on the board of Food Lifeline for over 20 years.

"The clean plate club is an axiom from way back. People just don't eat everything anymore," says Douglas.

By JOSH KERNS, MyNorthwest.com Reporter.

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
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Comments (20)


  • Add A Comment

  • Vlastimil wrote...
    clever PR tactic to combat higher food costs
    August 8, 2012 6:29 am
    .
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • anotherfencewalker wrote...
    Good for you Tom..
    August 8, 2012 7:02 am
    but I'll bet your entree prices dont get smaller as well..?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • vanderleun wrote...
    More mush from the wimp
    August 8, 2012 8:09 am
    Folks, sez Tom, come on down suckers and get less for more. It's for the "greater good!" Now the only thing left for those who used to eat at his over-rated and over-priced restaurant is, "Tom Douglas, schmuck or putz?"
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • EmeraldCityHawkeye wrote...
    Where is the follow-up question...
    August 8, 2012 8:10 am
    to Tom regarding the impact of this change to price? This story feels incomplete.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • vanderleun wrote...
    Here's a clue, fat boy
    August 8, 2012 8:11 am
    ""The clean plate club is an axiom from way back. People just don't eat everything anymore," says Douglas." Hey, if someone buys your overpriced swill how much they eat is their chøice. Not yours, busybody.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Steinsbu wrote...
    Whinners
    August 8, 2012 8:36 am
    What a bunch of whinners, is this the best Seattle can do? Is complain, complain about whatever someone else does. Don't eat at his restaurants if you don't like it.. otherwise shut the %$#& up. What a bunch of pussy's....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • GDHubly wrote...
    Then please also cut your prices...
    August 8, 2012 8:57 am
    I order with the expectation that I will not eat everything so that I may take home the leftovers...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Wild Bill wrote...
    hmmmmmmmm
    August 8, 2012 10:10 am
    I love Tom Douglas, he's a great Seattle representative, but this crosses over into "Nanny Stae issues." If I pay for something, and I choose to throw it away, that's my business. Is Mr. Douglas lowering prices as he shrinks portion sizes, as well? I worked at McDonalds in High School; we would toss burgers and fries after their time had expired. We proabably tossed a full garbage can full everyday. I remember, as part of the training, we would watch video tapes (consult a history book for that) that stressed WASTE IS ESSENTIAL FOR QUALITY. Again, if I pay for something, I own it. What I do with it, legally, is my concern.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Wild Bill wrote...
    VANDERLUN
    August 8, 2012 10:11 am
    do you have to be so crass and vulgar?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • vanderleun wrote...
    Absolutely you little wimpboy
    August 8, 2012 10:49 am
    Crass and vulgar c'est moi!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Jim P wrote...
    The irony
    August 8, 2012 10:21 am
    My wife and I ate at the Dahlia Lounge and really looked forwatd to it. We left there rather disappointed because of the amount of food we were served. I think for the 150.00 we spent we should have left there stuffed! Not the case.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • vanderleun wrote...
    And it never will be
    August 8, 2012 10:50 am
    The only person getting stuffed out of Dahlia is Douglass. And now he wants MORE! for less.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }