Big Bowl Receives Prestigious Green Award

Chicago Magazine has awarded Big Bowl President Dan McGowan with a Green Award.

Chicago Magazine, the authoritative voice on thought-provoking journalism, dining, entertainment and shopping in the region, has awarded Big Bowl President Dan McGowan with a Green Award.

For the last four years, the magazine has honored individuals who are groundbreakers in the areas of conservation and sustainability. McGowan is one of five "eco-minded innovators who aren't afraid to shake up the system," according to the magazine.

"I am honored and humbled to be in such a great class of individuals trying to make a difference on a daily basis," McGowan said.

The award was based on the changes that McGowan brought to Big Bowl when he was charged with revitalizing the concept after parent company, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, repurchased the restaurants from Brinker International in 2004.

Because the environment is personally important, McGowan began to implement changes beginning with fair trade coffee and progressing to overhauling the menu to feature locally grown produce, organic pork, natural chicken and beef, and seafood from responsibly fished sources. Recycled paper products, server uniforms made of polyester from recycled plastic bottles and eschewing bottled water for filtered tap also became a part of the Big Bowl operation.

McGowan also committed Big Bowl to be a part of the Chicago Climate Exchange, making the concept the first restaurant in the country to be legally bounded to reduce its carbon output by 100 percent. Big Bowl is fulfilling the obligation with its eco-initiatives but also by contributing $10,000 annually to support energy and environmental saving resources.

To read the article that appears in the April 2010 issue of Chicago Magazine, click here.