Crafting delectable dishes in challenging conditions should come as second nature to any professional chef worth their salt. This theory will be put to the test this month, when World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo throws down the gauntlet to an impressive array of world-class chefs to cook for an audience in its new Taste of Travel Theatre.
Held during the first two days of the exhibition at the Hamburg Messe, the Theatre will feature stirring presentations from a wide range of international travel catering experts, providing the perfect opportunity to test and taste the industry’s latest trends.
Kicking off proceedings, the Premium Taste Challenge, at 10.30am on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 March, will witness top travel operator chefs tasked with devising two main meals and a dessert for premier passengers – all in under 45 minutes. Supplied with only eight ingredients, plus one mystery item, the chefs must use their imagination and culinary expertise to incorporate all of the products into three tasty dishes. Wednesday’s chef will be one of Etihad Airway’s top chefs. Overseeing the action will be eminent airline catering consultant, Jeremy Clark, as well as Onboard Hospitality Magazine’s Publisher Sue Williams and Editor Jo Austin who will be giving the chef a grilling and encouraging plenty of audience participation.
Also on Tuesday’s menu, Clifton Lyles - Executive Development Chef at LSG Sky Chefs - will be demonstrating how travel caterers can enhance passenger experience by sourcing locally and using more regionally based ingredients. A champion of the ‘Farm to Table’ movement, Chef Lyles will explore the culinary opportunities that this trend offers local suppliers and travel operators, encompassing both individualisation and mobility. The audience will be invited to get involved with tastings and product identification, while also having the chance to ask questions.
Siggi Hall, renowned Chef of the NORD seafood, health and wine Bar at Iceland’s Keflavik Airport, will welcome Wednesday’s visitors to The Nordic Kitchen. A region known for its love of local, seasonal ingredients, Chef Hall will demonstrate the delights of Nordic cultural cuisine, explain its history and share some traditional techniques. Discussing the complexities involved with using fresh fish for travel catering, Chef Hall will use produce from his own farm to create typical Nordic dishes for the audience to taste. Arctic char with rye bread, carrot crumble, smoked salmon and parsnip puree with dill, are sure to make up a mouth-watering menu, too good to miss.
An innovative solution to dry ice production will be introduced by experts Cold Jet, during a demonstration of its PR750 – a system that allows airline caterers to make, form, slice and individually package dry ice on site. Encouraging the audience to experience the company’s efficient and cost-effective service, catering carts chilled with dry ice slices will be serving drinks from the Taste of Travel Theatre aisles.
Other participants in the Taste of Travel Theatre include Grasshopper which will be revealing the results from its latest passenger survey on airline and train food, as well as allowing the audience to sample a range of its hot soups and porridges. In addition to this, the publisher of online magazine, TravelPlus, will be discussing how well-considered amenity kits can benefit travel operator brands while Swedish bread expert Polarbröd will be showcasing some of its latest hot and cold sandwich options.
John Hyde, the event’s Exhibition Director, said: ‘The Taste of Travel Theatre is an exciting and interactive addition to the exhibition’s agenda. It will serve to enhance visitors’ experience and understanding of the travel catering industry as well as providing the perfect opportunity for catering experts to explain and explore some of the industry’s latest trends, innovations and challenges.’
The Taste of Travel Theatre will be staged on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 March in Hall B1. For more details visit http://www.worldtravelcateringexpo.com/Visiting/Taste-of-Travel/
World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo is co-located with Aircraft Interiors Expo, the global exhibition that attracts senior buyers from over 200 of the world’s airlines.
For any further information please contact:
Carol Seath at CMS Strategic
Tel: +44 (0)20 8748 9797
Email info@cmsstrategic.com