Gate Group, whose core business Gate Gourmet is one of the biggest brands in aviation catering, is out in force at the World Catering & Onboard Services Expo.
Gottfried Menge, group director of culinary excellence says it is important for the brand to have a significant presence at the event to demonstrate its capabilities and product range to customers.
"From our perspective it's very important to have professional chefs demonstrate our culinary excellence to our customers and show we are professional chefs on a par with a trendy restaurant," he says.
He says this message is more important than ever in today's environment as airlines seek to gain identity and differentiate through the food they serve.
"Fifteen years ago it was just a case of giving away food on an aircraft. That has changed tremendously, we are getting culinary excellence back."
Menge says that in order to keep on top of trends in cuisine and discuss market seasonality, its chefs meet every 3-4 months in special workshops. He says that a very strong tendency is for airlines to enhance their sense of identity through serving regional cuisine from where they are based and as a result Gate Gourmet employs a large number of chefs specialising in ethnic cuisine.
While Gottfried says airlines often approach Gate Gourmet with a brief detailing their culinary vision, others expect the company to develop a menu strategy for them.
Source: Flight Daily News
