UK. UK celebrity chef Jamie Oliver opened a stunning new dining offer at London Gatwick Airport yesterday.
As reported, the opening marks Oliver’s entry into the airport F&B business and The Foodie Report was treated to a sneak preview of the menus and interior design last week.
The 6,000sq ft space includes three concepts: Jamie’s Italian, Union Jacks Bar and new concept Jamie’s Italian Bakery.
Jamie’s Italian is a full-service offer based on the chef’s popular downtown restaurants and will feature a full-sized pizza oven, a hanging charcuterie and a pasta-making area.
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Offering a taste of Britain: the Gatwick location is celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s first move into airport dining |
Union Jacks is inspired by the high street brand but the menu is unique to Gatwick, having been adapted to appeal to the customer in a hurry. The British-inspired menu includes small dishess such as scotch eggs and dishes accompanied by homemade pickles, while the bar boasts an ‘open’ beer cellar, offering an all-British wine list and a wide range of UK sourced beers. The concept is designed for “grazing, nibbling and drinking” before a flight.
Jamie’s Italian Bakery is a new ‘grab & go’ concept developed for Gatwick. The emphasis is on fresh food with fresh bread, bakery items, homemade pizzas and focaccias that will be prepared by professional bakers throughout the night. The offer also includes freshly prepared salads, fruit, yoghurt and homemade jams – all designed for travellers to take away and for early morning flyers seeking breakfast.
Fresh lemonade and cordial mixes prepared on site are designed to take the beverage offer beyond standard airport fare.
Jamie Oliver said: “Opening this restaurant in the airport is a new and exciting step to take. Whether you want to dine in the Italian, grab food for the flight from the bakery, or savour some good old Blighty grub before you jet off, this is something really special, just for Gatwick.”
At the preview last week Gatwick Airport Chief Commercial Officer Guy Stephenson said: “This is one of the first big things we have seen land at Gatwick and is certainly the most exciting thing to happen in the North Terminal. With this dining offer, Jamie Oliver challenged the status quo and challenged people’s perceptions of what London airports can be.”
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UK celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and Gatwick Airport Chief Commercial Officer Guy Stephenson at the new restaurant |
The restaurant area includes a kitchen that is 40% bigger than other Jamie’s Italian restaurants, and the largest within Gatwick Airport. It also has a gas supply – a first for Gatwick and something the airport will look to extend to other F&B outlets. The new restaurant offer forms part of Gatwick’s £1.2 billion (US$1.88 billion) investment programme to transform the airport and upgrade its facilities.
The restaurants will be open to passengers boarding the first flight of the day, and will remain open until after the last flight departs.
A full report on the new opening will appear in the July issue of The Foodie Report – a magazine dedicated to travel-related food & beverage, published by The Moodie Report. To subscribe free of charge please e-mail Sinead.Moodie@TheMoodieReport.com
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