NEW BELGIAN STAR CHEFS FOR BRUSSELS AIRLINES

[dropcap size=small]B[/dropcap]russels Airlines has traditionally showcased Belgian quality products on long-haul flights with passengers treated to a range of Belgium beers and wines, pralines, waffles, cookies and, of course, their signature Belgian Star Chef program. The star chef program highlights some of the best Michelin-starred Belgian chefs who focus on creating unique dishes using only local, regional produce; these dishes will be served aboard flights to Africa and the USA.

Long haul passengers travelling in business class, from the 1st May, will be sampling meals that have been created by Namur based chef Pierre Résimont of restaurant L’Eau Vive. Six dishes have been created that will be served on flights from May until November 2015.

An appetiser of asparagus with Muscat wine, followed by foie gras served with rhubarb and lemon gingerbread, for the main course a fillet of cod in a Vieux Brugge crust.

In a press release the airline said:

“We are delighted that we were able to yet again work with a very talented and enthusiastic chef for our Belgian Star Chefs program. For the fifth time, the cooperation has been very successful so far.”

“We look forward to hearing the feedback of our Business Class guests”, says Anne Tricot, VP Customer Experience Brussels Airlines.

Are you flying business class short-haul? You can pre-order a deluxe business class meal for your flight, click here to find out more.

Photos courtesy: Brussels Airlines.

Nik Loukas

Nik founded Inflight Feed in 2012, blending his passion for inflight dining with over a decade of experience in the airline industry. For the past 13 years, he has travelled the world, exploring and reviewing airline meals across countless carriers.

CNN Travel, The New York Times, and BBC World News have featured Nik’s expertise. When he’s not on the ground, you’ll find him at 35,000 feet, camera in hand, capturing the unique flavours of air travel. Follow his inflight meal adventures on Instagram: @InflightFeed.

BRUSSELS AIRLINES LAUNCHES NEW LOUNGE

[dropcap size=small]I[/dropcap] was invited by Brussels Airlines to take a sneak peek at their new lounge before it opens tomorrow. It’s named ‘The Loft’, and this new lounge will accommodate up to 300 passengers and is available in the Schengen terminal concourse A (Gates A and T flights) at Brussels Airport. With over 300,000 passengers each year spending around 74 minutes in the Brussels Airlines lounge, it’s no wonder the airline decided to upgrade the facilities.

THE HUB EXPERIENCES

There are eight hub experiences that passengers can access and include:

1- Welcome; offering a more personal registration area
2- Connected; offering a unique digital experience
3- Delighted; offering typical Belgium food and beer!
4- Productive; offering business centre and premium meeting room
5- Inspired; offering individual living rooms to relax
6- Refreshed; offering innovative bathrooms with mood lighting and sound systems
7- Relaxed; offering nap boxes
8- Exclusive; an area specifically for Miles and More Senators and HON-Circle members

FOOD AND DRINK CONCEPTS

Food is the centrepiece of the lounge and offers local Belgian snacks and meals that are prepared by the airlines catering partner Autogrill. The beer comes from local supplier Inbev who produce over 200 beer brands, including brands like Stella Artois, Brahma, Beck’s, Corona, and Leffe. There are seven coffee machines scattered throughout the entire 1240 m2 lounge that will produce piping hot JAVA coffee for passengers, while the lounge has also had the very first newly designed Coke self-service machine installed.

Further snack options include a full salad bar, as well as homemade apple pie, healthy breakfast options and of course Belgian waffles, rice pudding and Callebaut chocolate mousse.

DEDICATED STAFF MEMBERS

Brussels Airlines has introduced the ‘Maitre de Lounge’ that have received specialised training and understand the Brussels Airline product back to front.

SHOWERS AND MORE

There are shower suites available that can be individually tailored to suit your needs via the mood lighting and sound system; there are also nap rooms and meeting rooms. Passengers can borrow a Surface Pro 3 tablet to use while they are in the lounge and use the ‘ConnectedLounge’ app to book a shower, see if the nap rooms are available or schedule a meeting room.

This lounge has set the bar high at Brussels Airport, especially if you consider the fact that the lounge was designed and created in conjunction with customers and based entirely on their feedback. The local food and drink options help to emphasise the Belgian local products, and it’s great to see that the lounge staff have received additional training.

GALLERY

Nik Loukas

BRUSSELS AIRLINES LAUNCHES NEW PRE ORDER MEALS

[dropcap size=small]B[/dropcap]russels Airlines has just announced that business class passengers may pre-order their meals when flying with the airline across Europe. Passengers can select precisely what they would like to eat from a range of six inflight meal options.

The complimentary à la carte dining options can be booked up to 48 hours before your scheduled departure time. For longer flights over 2.5 hours, all hot and cold dishes are available as pre-order while on shorter trips only a selection of cold meals is available. The meals can be ordered on all flights operated by Brussels Airlines except on flights to Paris and Tel Aviv.

MEAL OPTIONS INCLUDE

FRESH START
Scrambled Eggs served cold with a variety of Cold Cuts, Fresh Fruits, Yoghurt, Assorted Bread Rolls and Croissant. …OR… Omelette served cold with a variety of Cold Cuts, Fresh Fruits, Yoghurt, Assorted Bread Rolls and Croissant.

HOT DAY
Scrambled Eggs served warm with a variety of Cold Cuts, Fresh Fruits, Yoghurt, Assorted Bread Rolls and Croissant. …OR… Egg Rolls served warm with a variety of Cold Cuts, Fresh Fruits, Yoghurt, Assorted Bread Rolls and Croissant.

SAY CHEEEEESE
5 Belgian Cheeses served with Vegetable Sticks and a matching Red Wine, accompanied by a Fresh Salad, Assorted Bread Rolls, Crackers and a Fig Dip. …OR… 5 Belgian kinds of cheese served with a selection of Dried Fruits, Nuts and a matching Beer, accompanied by a Fresh Salad, Assorted Bread Rolls and Crackers.

I WANT IT COOL AND BELGIUM
Air-Dried Ham from Ghent and Smoked Eel served with Fresh Salad, Belgian Cheeses, Assorted Bread Rolls and Belgian Chocolate Mousse. …OR… North Sea Shrimps on a bed of Tomato Slices and Chicken in a Green Herb Cream Sauce, served with Fresh Salad, Belgian Cheeses, Assorted Bread Rolls and Rice Pudding.

BRING ME THE WORLD
Smoked Salmon and Smoked Trout, served with Fresh Salad, Scandinavian Cheeses, Assorted Bread Rolls, and a Berry Salad. …OR… Pasta Pesto and Shrimps served with Tomato and Mozzarella Salad, Mediterranean Cheeses, Assorted Bread Rolls and Tiramisu.

BELGIUM IS HOT
A North Sea Shrimp Salad starter and Roasted Rabbit in a Beer Stew as the main course with a Cherry Tart dessert, accompanied by assorted Bread Rolls. …OR… A mild Chicken Curry Salad starter and a Poached Salmon “Sambre & Meuse” main course with a Rice Tart dessert, accompanied by assorted Bread Rolls.

Nik Loukas

Brussels Airlines Announces New Celebrity Inspired Dishes

[dropcap size=small]B[/dropcap]russels Airlines has always supported Belgian talent by providing top quality local products to customers onboard. The airline serves some of Belgium’s finest beers and wines, pralines, waffles and cookies.

The airline has just announced a new range of meals inspired by local dishes from Luxemburg, and Star Chef Julien Lahire has created the recipes from Le Moulin Hideux which has been around since 1962. His motto is to always look for the best quality, and Chef Julien still meets the producers of products that he purchases for his meal creations.

The meals are now being served to business class passengers on long-haul flights to the US and Africa. This range of meals will run until July 2014. During April, passengers can expect starters such as chicken ballotines with walnuts presented with iceberg salad and crisp vegetables.

After July the airline will yet again select a new Michelin starred chef this time most likely from the province of Flemish Brabant. Of course, Business Class passengers can still choose from two different menu options during their flight or one of the 21 different special meals that the airline offers for those who require a diet specific meal.

Nik Loukas