Gulf Air is to sponsor the upcoming Middle East Catering Conference (MECC), which will be held from December 2-4, 2005, at the Crown Plaza hotel, Bahrain.
The Middle East Catering Conference (MECC) is the travel catering industry’s first and only conference dedicated to industry developments in the thriving and growing Middle East market.
A wide range of events, including presentations by an impressive roster of group industry leaders, and panel discussions are scheduled to take place.
Some notable figures who have confirmed attendance include, Gillis Korstanje, regional director of Europe at DeSter in Belgium, Andrew Walsh, senior vice president integrated business solutions at LSG Sky Chefs, Charles Grossrieder, manager of catering service at Cathay Pacific, Fred Hermann of i+o Industrielplanung in Germany and Willi Elsener, a visiting lecturer at the Emirates Academy of Hospitality and Management.
Gulf Air’s own Michael Kent, Head of Inflight Services and cabin crew and four chef assistants will put on an impressive multi-media demonstration - via Kitchen Cam - showing how food is prepared aboard one of the airline’s aircraft.
Delegates will also have the chance to feast on some of Gulf Air’s delicious First Class offerings following the demonstration.
“We have been the host of this prestigious event for two years and this year is our year for showing what Gulf Air has achieved on the global market in reference to the catering position,” says Kent.
The Sky Chefs has been a labour of love for Michael and he enthusiastically plans an exciting look at cutting-edge cuisine prepared as it is right in the airline cabin.
“The key driver has been the unique chef concept into the inflight system,” adds Kent.
“We are going to create an aircraft cabin and demonstrate our service in first class and at the same time the audience will partake in the menu as well.
‘’To achieve this, Gulf Air, the one who creates what others immitate has devised a unique presentation style whereby the chefs have live camera from the kitchen to the stage and they talk to the audience via the kitchen.”
Additional events include a Golf Tournament, Opening Cocktail, Gala Evening dinner and the PAX International Readership Awards ceremony.
These awards, launched this year, provide representatives of the travel catering industry with the opportunity to recognise those they feel worthy of special acknowledgement.
Held annually over three days in December, MECC was first launched two years ago and regularly attracts more than 100 participants and delegates from across the globe.
About Gulf Air
Founded in 1950, Gulf Air is presently owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and is the only truly Pan Gulf carrier in the region.
More than half a century later, the regional, geographic and cultural values that the airline has embraced over more than half a century are still central in defining the brand and service ethos within the contemporary and global environment.
Today the airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 44 cities in 30 countries. The fleet comprises 34 aircraft.
Under President and Chief Executive James Hogan, the successful implementation of the first phase of a restructuring programme, which commenced in 2003, has resulted in the establishment of a platform for sustained commercial operation.
It has also provided a framework for a succession of innovative products and services including the unique Sky Chefs and Sky Nannies that form part of Gulf Air’s ‘boutique airline’ vision.
The dramatic turnaround in fortunes has won international recognition. The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) presented the airline with the prestigious Airline Turnaround of the Year Award for 2003. Gulf Air was also the recipient of the 2003 Platinum Award for the Best Airline in the Middle East and North Africa, which recognised the airline’s commitment to service excellence. Other awards include:
Winner – Middle East Leading First Class Airline, World Travel Awards 2005
Winner – World’s Leading Airport Lounge, World Travel Awards 2005
Winner - Middle East & North African Platinum Best Airline Travel Award 2004
Winner - Skytrax Most Improved Airline Award 2004
Winner - Skytrax Best First Class Onboard Food Category 2004
Winner - Skytrax Best Business Class Check-in Category 2004
Official Airline and Sponsor of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2006
