This Friday, 28 November, The Orangery Tottenham Court Road will unveil a first-of-its-kind edible Christmas tree – a full-sized installation built entirely from living vertical hydroponic pods. Designed to grow real, harvestable produce, the tree aims to bring festive tradition and sustainable innovation together under one roof. Once the crops are ready, they will be donated directly to local community charities, reinforcing The Orangery’s commitment to social impact and purpose-led dining.
An event that’s set to bring together the Camden community, Camden Mayor Cllr Eddie Hanson will be attending in official regalia, joined by St Albans School choir and Alexander Jan, Chair of the CDA. Food and hot chocolate will be served, and interviews will be available with the chefs trained in hydroponic farming and the team from Square Mile Farms, who are installing the tree in partnership with The Orangery.
The project follows The Orangery’s recent recognition at the 2025 Foodservice Cateys, where it won the Innovation Award for its pioneering use of hydroponic farming in a commercial restaurant. The same technology will bring the tree to life, growing produce using up to 90% less water than traditional agriculture and offering a glimpse into how urban food systems may evolve in the years ahead.
