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.

SWISS HOSTS POP UP RESTAURANT INFLIGHT

[dropcap size=small]A[/dropcap]pop up restaurant inflight? That’s exactly what happened last month on Swiss International Airlines flight LX16 from Zurich to New York. In a world-first, Michelin Star Chef Andreas Caminada from Schloss Schauenstein, a historical castle which features his award-winning restaurant, teamed up with Swiss to create this inflight culinary adventure.

Planning for the “SWISS Meets Caminada” flight commenced 12 months before the flight to ensure a smooth and enjoyable inflight experience for everyone on board.

No duty-free trolleys loaded onto LX16 as they would take up too much space, so they were left behind. Equipment from galleys was also stripped to a bare minimum to provide Caminada and his team ample space to work in the galleys. The preparations and practice for the final flight commenced two days before departure at the Gate Gourmet Zurich Airport facilities. As you will see, the result is quite spectacular!

BOARDING TIME

Caminada and his team were there to meet and greet passengers with champagne and breakfast snacks before the flight and offer them a taste of what’s to come during their journey to New York.

INFLIGHT

Passengers in First Class were offered an 11-course meal while Business Class were offered ten courses, and Economy Class passengers were tempted with some unique meal creations. Dishes in Economy included items such as Char with Marinated Carrots, Mackerel with Radishes and Horseradish and Langoustine on Pumpkin.

Work in the inflight galleys was non-stop to provide the meals for everyone onboard, with no chance of even the slightest break for the cabin crew or Caminadas’ team.

Feedback from passengers was well received, and towards the end of the flight, Andreas Caminada passed through all cabins and farewelled and thanked passengers for joining the special flight. Every passenger walked off the aircraft with a gift bag containing Swiss Chocolates and a wool hat.

THE CAMINADA GALLERY

[envira-gallery id=”11648″]

Nik Loukas

ICELAND AIR NEW PRE ORDER MEAL PROGRAM

Passengers travelling on Icelandair will now be able to pre-order their own choice of meals up to 48 hours before departure. There will be a total of 9 Icelandair Saga Class meals available for Business Class customers including options like Cold Water Fish dish from Grindavík, an Organic Lamb option, a Gluten-Free option, and vegetarian options.

Icelandair strives to offer passengers an authentic, local inflight meal experience (in all cabin classes) that use fresh ingredients where possible.

THE PRE-ORDER DISHES

Arctic Char;
Icelandic Arctic Char from Grindavík served with Creamy Barley, Wild Mushrooms and Creamy Shellfish Sauce.

Chicken Harissa;
Marinated Chicken Breast, served with Toasted Rice, String Beans and Yoghurt Sauce. Gluten-free option.

Organic Icelandic lamb;
Icelandic Lamb served with New Potatoes, Peas, Wild Mushrooms and Jus infused with Arctic Thyme.

Gluten-Free Meal;
Meal options will change daily depending on routes and departure time.

Roasted Fillet of Beef;
Served with a Crispy Onion, Remoulade, Potatoes, Salad and Bread with Sunflower Seeds on the side.

Sugar-Free Meal;
Meal options will change daily depending on routes and departure time.

Fruit Plate;
Meal options will change daily depending on routes and departure time.

Vegetarian Meal;
Meal options will change daily depending on routes and departure time.

Northern Tapas;
A cold dish of Salmon with Dill, Shrimp Cocktail, Smoked Lamb on Flatbread and Icelandic Cheese. Gluten-free option.

HOW TO BOOK

Passengers need to order their favourite meal from the ‘Pre-Order Your Meal’ function on the airlines’ website.

THE MENU

Nik Loukas

Swiss & The Chedi – NEW SWISS TASTE OF SWITZERLAND PROGRAM

[dropcap size=small]T[/dropcap]he five star Chedi Andermatt which is located in the Urseren Valley, just a two-hour train ride from Zurich, will be the ambassadors for the current Swiss International Airlines “SWISS Taste of Switzerland” program. From now until March 2015 passengers travelling in SWISS First and Business Class cabins (Ex Switzerland) will be able to taste these new dishes from the Canton of Uri. Passengers will also be able to experience local Swiss wines and regional cheeses with their meals.

BUSINESS CLASS INTERNATIONAL OPTIONS

Balik Salmon Tartare with Mango Dressing
Swiss Sturgeon in a Tomato-and-Artichoke Sugo with Mussels
Beef Tenderloin in Olive Jus.
Marsala Mousse with Orange Jelly and Pistachios

FIRST CLASS

First Class customers can expect something a little more special including;

Lobster with Honeydew Melon and Banana Crème
Chestnut Soup with Maple Syrup and Almond Tuile
Veal Steak on a Soubise Sauce
Gilt Head Bream with Orange and Cardamom Sauce
Rice Pudding and Poached Pear with Saffron

BUSINESS CLASS EUROPEAN SERVICES

Customers flying to Switzerland from Europe between 4 and 17 February 2015 will be treated to specialities from the Canton Uri and should expect to sample dishes such as:

Meatballs in a Herb Cream Sauce with Rice and Leeks
Sliced Polenta with Grated Local Cheese served with a Mushroom Ragout and Glazed Root Vegetables
Chocolate Mousse and Crème

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

CZECH AIRLINES TEAMS UP WITH Zátiší GROUP

[dropcap size=small]C[/dropcap]zech airlines meals options for business and economy class passengers are set to change on 1 June with a new range of inflight meal options gracing the skies. The airline has just announced a new collaboration with chefs from the Zátiší Group a chain of restaurants and catering company based in Prague.

Economy class passengers flying from Brussels, Barcelona and Madrid to/from Prague are also set to benefit from the new inflight meal range with options such as homemade white and dark baguettes served with cheese and vegetables. While international economy class passengers flying to Russia and Central Asia will sample more local style meals which have been developed by the team at Skyport Catering.

For travellers heading to Seoul dishes such as pumpkin soup or partridge with creamy mushroom sauce and gnocchi will be served on select flights.

Business-class passengers flying to/from Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Copenhagen, and other routes will be served Tramezzi with ham and cheese, chicken with vegetables or pollo tonnato with tuna mayonnaise.

While passengers flying further afield on international long-haul services to Seoul will have a choice of three main meal choices including a Korean option of Bibimbap, Chicken Makhani with rice and aubergine Masala, ham and cheese quiche, veal rump steak with creamy-vegetable sauce and Karlovy Vary dumplings.

In a recent press conference Sanjiv Suri, Zátiší Group President & CEO said, “We believe that quality and tasty food should be a part of our lives. There is no reason to compromise even aboard an aircraft. The combination of our food concept with Czech Airlines’ Business Class service proves that. Our joint goal is to provide clients with the utmost of comfort and exceptional experiences during every moment of their travels,”.

Nik Loukas

NEW BUSINESS CLASS MEALS FOR AEROFLOT

[dropcap size=small]R[/dropcap]ussian airline Aeroflot has announced a new range of inflight dishes that will feature in their business class cabins. The latest menus were selected by a taste panel which also included journalists, celebrities and the airline’s critical partners during a tasting session at Moscow’s Tinatin restaurant.

The airline collaborated with Russian celebrity food writer Nika Belotserkovskaya as well as Thierry Mona of LSG Sky Chefs and Kamel Benamar of Moscow’s Vanile and Bolshoi restaurant. Together the team created the menus which include options such as meatloaf with foie gras, dried fruits and sweet pepper with plum sauce, vinaigrette with salmon and sunflower seed oil, and grilled chicken with wild rice, vegetables and roasted tomato. Desserts include options such as cheesecake with raspberry and lemon mousse with blueberries.

Additional options include a cold appetiser of octopus with potatoes, celery and lemon dressing, salad with mozzarella and peaches with olive oil and vinegar dressing, pumpkin puree soup with cream cheese and pistachios and lamb stew with couscous and pesto sauce.

“Aeroflot takes the quality and variety of food offered onboard very seriously and involves top chefs and confectioners in the creation of the menu,” said Aeroflot CEO Vitaly Saveliev. “A healthy and balanced menu is a responsible choice for us. Top-quality ingredients and recipes, perfect presentation and top-class service, are crucial success factors for Aeroflot’s in-flight menu”.

Photos pictured in this story are current special meal options for Business Class customers, for information regarding Aeroflot meals click here.

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