Venkat Raman
If you are a First Class, Business Class or Premium Economy Class passenger on Singapore Airlines from Auckland, you can enjoy what promises to be the most sumptuous banquet on air.
A small group of travel agents, tour advisors and journalists was treated to ‘What would be on Air,’ at an exclusive meal session at the LSG Sky Chefs near Auckland Airport on Wednesday, October 11, 2017.
Extensive meal
It was one of the most extensive meals that I have had in a long time, although a bit apprehensive at first, being a thorough vegetarian.
The Non-Vegetarian section understandably had more variety, but for vegetarians (perhaps I was the only one at the session), there was more than enough for one meal lasting almost two hours.
The Vegetarian Extension
You cannot but feel sated with Fresh long beans, baby carrots, broccolini kumara and agria potato mash with cheese sauce; Karengo seasoning in white wine cream sauce served with agria potatoes, chives and vegetables; Lentil moussaka, cherry tomato confit and ratatouille in tomato and basil sauce; Roasted baby potatoes served with roasted tomatoes and sautéed bean mix; roast vegetables on port wine and mushroom sauce, potatoes fondant; Sauce fried rice, Shanghai pak choy and carrots; vegetable jalfrezi and dum aloo; coconut rice, sambal long beans, onions and eggplant served with coconut rice; somewhere along the courses were the delicious tofu, aromatic rice appropriately cooked, a pasta dish with baby tomatoes and fresh green salad.
Finishing off the gourmet was a plate of Bavarois Mandarin Orange and Raspberry Coulis with an alternate plate of various fresh fruits.
Book the Cook
The new service, called, ‘Book the Cook,’ will commence on October 30, 2017 tantalising the taste buds of Singapore Airlines passengers at 35,000 feet.
Auckland is the first New Zealand destination to introduce Book the Cook and joins Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth as Book the Cook destinations within Singapore Airlines South West Pacific Region.
Book the Cook provides Suites, First, Business and Premium Economy Class customers with the opportunity to pre-select a main meal from a wide selection of delicious options, many of which feature locally sourced New Zealand produce.
Globally, Book the Cook will be offered from more than 20 destinations across the Singapore Airlines network including Singapore, London and Paris and from Monday, October 30 for customers travelling from Auckland.
From tomorrow (Friday, October 13, 2017), orders can be placed online at www.singaporeair.com, through travel agents or Singapore Airlines reservations on 0800- 808909 at least 48 hours before the flight departure time. For further information on menu options and destinations, please visit www.singaporeair.com/btc
Options available on all flights from Auckland to Singapore include:
First and Business Classes: New Zealand Lobster Thermidor (First Class only); New Zealand Seafood Thermidor (Business Class only); Grilled New Zealand King Salmon; Grilled New Zealand Wakanui Beef Fillet; Grilled New Zealand Lamb Loin; Prawn Laksa; Beef Rendang Malay Style; Sze Chuan Chilli Chicken; Roast Cantonese Duck Breast; Indian Lamb Biryani; Greek Eggplant & Lentil Moussaka
Premium Economy Class: Roasted Chicken Thigh, Braised Monk Fish, Nyonya Chicken Curry Singaporean Style, Indian Lamb Saag Curry, Seafood Mee Goreng Malay Style
Our finest produce
Singapore Airlines General Manager (New Zealand) Simon Turcotte said that the addition of Book the Cook on flights from Auckland would further enhance the travel experience for Singapore Airlines customers.
“Providing travellers with the opportunity to tailor their dining experience with a restaurant-quality menu is something we are really proud of. Our Auckland Book the Cook menu showcases some of New Zealand’s finest produce and reinforces our commitment to providing our customers with a premium travel experience,” he said.
Mr Turcotte said that his airline worked closely with the LSG Sky Chefs to deliver a great range of premium Book the Cook options.
LSG Sky Chefs Product Development Manager Christopher Prall described introduction of Book the Cook as ‘A great opportunity for the culinary team to be involved in the development and delivery of innovative local and international dishes.’
“The menu is simply mouth-watering and we are looking forward to preparing these dishes which will only add to the customer experience across First, Business and Premium Economy classes,” he said.
About Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines (SIA) operates 18 weekly services from New Zealand, offering seamless connectivity through its hub, the world-famous Changi Airport. Together the SIA, SilkAir and Scoot global network provides customers with access to a total of 133 destinations in 37 countries.
Singapore Airlines services the following three New Zealand cities:
Auckland: 14 flights weekly; 7 x Boeing B77-300ERp operated by SQ; and 7 x Boeing 787-9 operated by Air New Zealand
Christchurch: 7 flights weekly; Boeing B77-200ERr
Wellington: 4 flights weekly; Boeing B77-200r
Singapore Airlines has been serving New Zealand for more than 40 years launching services to Auckland in 1976, Christchurch in 1986 and Wellington in 2016.
In January 2015, Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand established a codeshare alliance, providing passengers with greater inbound, outbound and domestic travel options.
While travelling through or to Singapore, New Zealand customers can take advantage of the ‘Changi Transit Programme’ – offering S$ 20 worth of vouchers per adult and child ticket to use at more than 510 Changi Airport stores – and the ‘Singapore Stopover Holiday’ package – offering accommodation and entrance to major attractions from just $52 per person twin-share.
Our Sponsor
Singapore Airlines is the Sponsor of the ‘Business Excellence in Innovation’ Category of the Tenth Annual Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards 2017. The Awards Ceremony will be held on Monday, November 27, 2017 from 5 pm at Sky City Convention Centre, Auckland City. Tickets priced at $150 plus GST per person and tables seating 10 persons at $1500 plus GST are now available. Please call 021-836528. Email: editor@indiannewslink.co.nz
