A touch of EURO 2008 for World Business Class meals

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will introduce new meals on board as of June 1. Inspired by the Euro 2008 soccer championship, all World Business Class meals have been created by a Swiss master chef. The accompanying wines were produced in Austria. Economy Class passengers will be offered a choice of Oriental and Western meals from leading brands.

The Swiss master chef Andy Zaugg, whose restaurant Zum Alten Stefan in Solothurn has a great reputation, has created meals with a touch of Euro 2008 for World Business Class. Despite his Swiss roots, Zaugg sees himself as a European first and foremost: “My mother is Dutch and my wife is from Ireland.”

Restaurant Zum Alten Stefan is affiliated to the Jeunes Restaurateurs d’Europe, a prestigious gastronomic alliance with which KLM has been partnered for several years. Passengers will be able to savor Zaugg’s delicacies until the end of August.

Western and Oriental Meals
Economy Class passengers will be offered a broader choice of meals than in the past. Research has revealed that passengers who have more choice are more satisfied with the meal they eat. They also like to see leading brands being used. In the past, passengers were only offered a choice between warm meals, but from now on they will also be able to choose from a full Western plateau produced by Maille, as well as an oriental plateau produced by Conimex. Maille is known for its traditional French foods (Dutch travelers will be most familiar with their mustard and dressings), while Conimex has brought oriental foods to the Dutch kitchen for over 75 years.

In addition to the new meals from Andy Zaugg, Maille and Conimex, various other service innovations have been introduced. The second meal option in Business Class has a Spanish flavor, featuring dishes such like gazpacho, paella, and crema Catalana. In addition, Economy Class passengers will be served a breakfast box with new contents, developed in close cooperation with by Becel. KLM will serve these new meals on intercontinental flights out of Schiphol.