MALAYSIA. SSP Malaysia has opened the first restaurant in the country from celebrity chef and restaurateur Jamie Oliver at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 5 departures.
The new dining concept is part of the deal struck by SSP Group and regional partner Travel Food Services of India with Malaysia Airports to operate 29 F&B outlets at KLIA, low-cost terminal KLIA2 and Kuching International Airport.
The SSP team will add more restaurants to the KLIA line-up this year, including Burger King, Hard Rock Cafe and Bar and others.
The outlet features dine-in services, as well as grab-and-go options. It is designed with bespoke neon signage, local mural artwork and textured plaster. Coloured wall tiles, terrazzo tabletops and a rotating pizza ove help create a vibrant atmosphere.
The menu includes signature dishes by the British celebrity chef, including a wide array of pizza, pasta, bakery and cafe, as well as drinks and desserts.
In a LinkedIn post, SSP APAC Chief Operating Officer Shane Beyer said: “Whilst it’s easy to celebrate just another restaurant, we can be mistaken for forgetting exactly what goes into a restaurant opening of this magnitude. 12-15 months in the making, involving 30-40 people, 10 separate departments and over seven countries, involving Design and Construction, Finance, Legal, Business Development, Marketing & Commercial, Supply Chain, Property and Leasing, Operations and Training and not to mention the extensive menu development to name a few.”
Also commenting on LinkedIn, Jo Pennycuick, CEO of Redesign and Real Group which played a lead role in the design and fit-out, said: “This was a collective team effort from our designers, our client SSP full project team and Jamie Oliver’s UK.
“The project was four years in the making from tender awarding to completion. We are thrilled for our client SSP APAC to have this open. Such a vibrant space with great pizza and food. One of my favourite projects to have worked on and rewarding after so long to see the space live.
“The design will be a great addition to the Jamie Oliver portfolio being the first pizzeria developed for the brand.” ✈
Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining. Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com to subscribe.
