The sight of Grand Prix ace Lewis Hamilton racing his McLaren Formula 1 car against a Learjet 60XR down Farnborough’s runway on Monday might have got your adrenaline pumping, but did it get your taste buds going too?
It certainly did for Lyndy Redding managing director of Absolute Taste, whose catering business started as hospitality provider for the McLaren F1 team, but has grown into a substantial business.
“Initially we centred around providing the finest hospitality for the VIP guests of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team around the world, and for the employees at the McLaren headquarters,” explains Redding. “But now we have successfully branched out in to other fields including cafés, a partnership with Gordon Ramsay, and Absolute Taste Inflight.”
Redding spotted a niche in business aviation food market in terms of food excellence and decided to do something about it. “Absolute Taste Inflight delivers consistently high quality food, as if you were in a restaurant, to your private or corporate business aircraft at every London and Southeast England airport,” says Redding. Absolute Taste Inflight caters for NetJets, as well as TAG and private clients.
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TAG, owner of Farnborough Airport, also has a stake in the McLaren Group, and uses Absolute Taste as its caterers. One of its cafés is the Apron Café, located here at Farnborough.
Redding and her team have also catered at glitzy parties including one for David and Victoria Beckham, and more recently, Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday party, so they know how to make VIPs feel special.
“We run a 24-hour service. Deliveries are made in refrigerated vehicles straight to your aircraft or a handling agent ensuring our food is especially fresh. From ordering, which can be done over the phone or on-line, we can deliver to the airfield within a few hours,” says Redding.
“Our fine quality food is served in biodegradable funky boxes with around eight option meals to choose from. One of our options is the ‘Black Box’ where food is served in sustainable wooden bowls.”
Redding also says nothing is a problem when it comes to customer tastes. “It’s not so unusual to receive an order for a Domino’s pizza and a bottle of Dom Pérignon be sent to a business jet. We’re happy to provide whatever the client wishes.”
Source: Flight International
