Having an incurable case of wanderlust, I also have a somewhat disillusioned view of poor travel experiences. Deadly Cambodian tuk tuk racing, the black slopes of Switzerland; throw ’em at me, it’s part of the adventure! I can take almost anything…until it comes to food. Plane food, to be precise. From the genetically modified crackers to the mutant proteins, plane food is one of those things that – unless you’re in first class – we tend to simply grin and bare.
Recently, I was invited to preview the opening of Heathrow’s brand new concept eating and relaxation area in Terminal 5; their answer to the aforementioned food woes. The hub airport have created a pop-up park designed to give passengers a relaxing space to de-stress in and ‘picnic’, in effect. Many of Heathrow’s eateries have launched pre-flight menus developed for al fresco dining in recognition of the positive effect food and drink can have on our relaxation and wellbeing.
The menus, in fact, have been developed to include picnics you can have packaged to stay fresh and take onto the plane with you. Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food, pictured here, has created a three-course ‘takeaway’ menu that offers a variety of choices including salmon salads, cheesecakes, and roasted Hereford beef. In fact, with well-being in mind, Gordon Ramsay Plane Food have created a delicious ‘Healthy Heights Picnic’ (£14.95) packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and expertly crafted whole foods to keep you full and fresh during your travels:
example.
Beetroot, carrot and chicory with pomegranate dressing
Mango, avocado and smoked chicken salad
Fromage frais yoghurt and plum ripple with toasted home-made granola
Not forgetting the avocado and crab Maki rolls from Itsu or Caviar House‘s fish tartar canapés made from Norwegian salmon (of which I could eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner), Heathrow have successfully reminded us that our holiday always starts at the airport. There is a reason why this savvy airport is continuously awarded the ‘World’s Best Airport Food & Beverage’.
