Top Chef Anita Lo Partners with Air China

Top Chef
image: A.E. Photography

When flying in premium airline cabins you can expect higher quality food with some airlines even having menus created by famous chefs.

Now Air China is getting in on this trend.

Last week Air China announced a new partnership with Iron Chef and Top Chef Masters contestant Anita Lo. Chef Lo is an award-winning chef and was the first female asked to collaborate on a state dinner at the White House. Pretty impressive.

In early 2016, First and Business Class passengers flying between North America and Beijing with Air China can sample some of Chef Lo’s creations.

The menu will be created exclusively for Air China and sounds pretty interesting.

A luncheon was held last week at Chef Lo’s restaurant, Annisa in New York City. I was happy to receive an invite and was looking forward to trying out the menu but I had to cancel due to a mistake by British Airways.

Here is the menu:

  • Canape– Shooter of Chilled Fennel Soup with Perilla Leaf
  • Cold First Course – Salad of Lobster and Foie Gras Torchon with Orange and Black Vinegar Gelee
  • Hot Entree– Braised Shortrib of Beef with Oyster Rot,  Oyster Mushroom and Oyster Sauce.
  • Cold Dessert– Posset with Grapefruit, Ginger, Osmanthus and Wolfberry.
Top Chef
image: A.E. Photography
Top Chef
image: A.E. Photography

I have to say that I am a pretty picky eater so I could only see myself trying out two of these dishes. I would’ve liked to have tried the lobster salad and braised shortrib, minus a few of the ingredients! 🙂

I was able to send my brother along to the event and he’s also a bit on the picky side. However he did report that the braised shortrib was quite tasty and also very tender. Sounds good to me!

What do you think of airlines teaming up with celebrity/ well know chefs to help create the inflight menus? I think it’s a neat idea, too bad they’re not usually helping to design the menus for those of us flying in coach!

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