Xiamen Airlines launches sixth Michelin-starred chef program,

Xiamen Airlines has partnered with David Lai, owner and head chef of Neighborhood, the Michelin one-star Hong Kong restaurant and Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants regular, for the sixth season of its “A Starred Journey” first class culinary series.

Neighborhood is known for its limited reservations and unconventional cooking style, making it one of Hong Kong’s most sought-after dining destinations.

Lai gained wider recognition last year after appearing on a popular variety show, earning the nickname “the Tipsy Chef.”

The Chef XiamenAir culinary team worked closely with Lai to build the new menu around a single concept: integrating music and gastronomy.

The sixth season is themed “Symphony No. 6: Resonance,” with the menu structured around classical musical movements. The Sonata opens with Wagyu sandwiches served in a picnic basket.

The Adagio follows with a Bouillabaisse. The Minuet features a warm truffle salad made with same-day harvested ingredients from Xiamen Airlines’ organic farm.

A variety of gourmet dishes and drinks are arranged on a table surrounded by green ferns, moss, and elegant ANA Franzi amenity kits, creating a lush, nature-inspired dining setting.
A steaming dish of grilled fish with garnish is served on a linen serviette beside a bowl of rice, surrounded by green ferns, pine cones, and touches inspired by ANA Franzi amenity kits.
A plate of chicken and rice is displayed in front of a bowl of yellow rice, surrounded by ferns, with Chinese text, a packaged meal, and ANA FRANZI amenity kits shown at the bottom.

The Finale is David’s Chicken Rice, Lai’s signature dish at Neighborhood.

The first class menu is available from 15 February 2026 on flights departing from Xiamen and Fuzhou to domestic and international destinations.

David’s Chicken Rice is also available to passengers across all cabin classes on the same departures. Passengers can pre-order the dish up to six hours before departure through the airline’s inflight meal selection service.

Xiamen Airlines says it is the first Chinese carrier to offer pre-order meal selection across all cabin classes.

Photos: Xiamen Airlines