USA. A new dish inspired by the winner of Channel Your Inner Chef*, a culinary competition created by HMSHost in partnership with the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), was unveiled yesterday (12 July) at the Goose Island Brewery at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Channel Your Inner Chef winner Sepi Naficy was present to showcase the new Paella Bowl and offer samples to travellers.
Paella Bowl comprises grilled chicken and shrimp with spring peas served over chorizo-infused rice. It has a suggested pairing with the Goose Island IPA.
Travellers passing through O’Hare’s Terminal 3 were also treated to live musical entertainment while they sampled the new dish along with fresh, seasonal fruit sangria developed by the HMSHost culinary team.
“We congratulate Sepi Naficy and HMSHost on another fun and successful live cooking competition,” said CDA Commissioner Ginger S. Evans. “Passengers travelling through O’Hare will now have the chance, as I did while acting as a judge for the competition, to sample Sepi’s delicious and original dish.”
HMSHost North America President and CEO Steve Johnson said: “It was an exciting day to join our partner, the Chicago Department of Aviation, in celebrating the launch of this new dish inspired by Channel Your Inner Chef winner Sepi Naficy’s paella.
“Bringing Channel Your Inner Chef back to Chicago this year once again showcased the innovation HMSHost has to offer and was a unique opportunity to give the aviation and travelling community the chance to highlight their culinary talent.”
In other news, on 12 July HMSHost introduced its Mobile Ala Cart – O’Hare’s first mobile food cart which delivers select food and drinks to time-pressed travellers at their gates.
*Footnote: Channel Your Inner Chef received a Highly Commended in the Food & Beverage Marketing & Promotions Campaign of the Year category at the recent FAB 2016 Awards in Geneva. A full report on the FAB conference and awards will appear in the 14 July e-Zine edition.
