USA/INTERNATIONAL. Autogrill Group is celebrating its 40th anniversary by participating in a yearly festival dedicated to the technologies of the future and how they will change the world.
TechFest, presented by The New Yorker magazine, took place on 6 October. Autogrill CEO Gianmario Tondato Da Ruos and HMSHost President and CEO Steve Johnson were part of a panel discussion dedicated to the future of food which also featured Dan Barber, chef and co-owner of Blue Hill at Stone Barns, and Susan Ungaro, Chairman of the James Beard Foundation.
It explored “the new perception of food; the way it is cultivated and consumed, and how it unites tradition, technological innovation, and sustainability”, Autogrill said. The group is also a sponsor of the event.
TechFest, directed by The New Yorker’s Editor David Remnick, featured meetings and discussions about current issues with a specific focus on the trends and changes that are impacting and guiding the future: from climate change to technological innovation, and from access to information and mobility.
It has been 40 years since the merger of Pavesi, Motta and Alemagna in 1977 which led to the birth of Autogrill. Active in 31 countries with over 57,000 employees, it has around 4,000 points of sale, a portfolio of more than 300 brands, and serves one billion customers every year.
Tondato Da Ruos commented: “Life is a journey. Ours, which has lasted for 40 years, is not over yet: we are planning tomorrow’s company today, a global group capable of uniting sustainability, tradition and innovation with food-on-the-move.
“It’s vital to succeed in combining the opportunities provided by technological innovation and its challenges with a clear vision of new demographic trends and changes in customers’ behaviour in order to conceive, create and offer products and services in line with the needs of an increasingly well informed, ‘digital’ consumer.”
Autogrill said it is continually working to introduce sophisticated digital tools, combining connectivity with apps, and dedicated services. Examples include the ‘Host2Coast’ mobile app and a pilot programme featuring Pepper the humanoid robot.
“In a world in which interest in quality food, regional flavour, sustainability and wellbeing is growing, we are making our contribution by, for example, redefining terms like ‘healthy’ which means eating well and following a well-rounded and balanced diet,” continued Tondato Da Ruos.
“For this reason the group is exploring the use of innovative ingredients and new formats, renewing its offer in order to improve the traveller’s whole food experience.”
Autogrill created a special food area for the TechFest guests who at lunchtime were able to choose from three different corners: one dedicated to its Bistrot concept, one to the Wicker Park Seafood & Sushi bar found inside Chicago O’Hare International Airport, and one dedicated to the future of food. It featured an original, healthy menu with new ingredients like gluten free carbohydrates and low glycemic high protein foods, which are rich in fibre.
High honour
Autogrill Chairman Gilberto Benetton has received the prestigious ‘GEI Award 2017’, in recognition and appreciation for all the activities he has carried out in favour of the Italian industry and for his contribution to the improvement of the image of Italy throughout the world.
A gala event was held by the Gruppo Esponenti Italiani at the JW Marriott Essex House in New York on 5 October.
NOTE: The Moodie Davitt Report also publishes The Foodie Report, the world’s only media focused on airport (and other travel-related) food & beverage. The Foodie Report e-Newsletter is published every two weeks and The Foodie Report e-Zine every month.
Please send all news of food & beverage outlet openings, together with images, menus, video etc to Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com to ensure unrivalled global exposure.
The company also organises the annual Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) Conference & Awards.
