Chicken classics win airline catering awards

Leaders in the inflight-catering industry have been honoured at the 35th annual Mercury awards, part of SIAL 2016, during a ceremony attended by the top suppliers in the global travel catering industry.

The awards recognise the very best in in-flight catering and cover a diverse range of categories. Deadline for entrants closed on November 25th with product presentations taking place on Sunday evening before winners were announced last night (Monday 5th December) at a glittering award ceremony at the Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat al Beri, Abu Dhabi.

The chicken classics had the judges taste buds tingling, the specially designed pastry used in the Chinese BBQ Style Chicken Savoury Pastry for example, packed in an convenient hand-held ovenable box by Monty’s Bakehouse set the snack apart from other entrants in the Food Product – Snack category. The taste and quality of the Chicken Tikka Masala by DSI Foods was an outstanding example of a classic dish – simple, tasty and beautifully presented.

Etihad was recognised for their textured dessert in the Airline Meal – Premium Class category; Qantas won the award for Service Concept – Economy Class for their Qantas International Dining experience while Qatar Airways’ Super Food Salad won the Service Concept – Premium Class.

The Best Beverage award was won by Italian coffee maker Caffe di Artisan; best Food Product - Sweet, won by the Lithuanian ice cream producer, AB Klaipedos; and best Food Product – Snack, awarded to UK supplier, Monty’s Bakehouse.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Joanne Cook, Managing Director, SIAL Middle East said:

“Classics never go out of fashion and chicken is a staple for many travellers, it’s always incredibly popular.

“The Mercurys continue to be the premier accolade within the travel food industry and remain one of the most sought after awards for those in the airline catering business. The judging panel of independent experts were highly impressed by the innovative products and the advances companies are making in this highly competitive sector.”

The Mercurys capped off the opening day of 2016 edition of SIAL Middle East which opened on Monday. Inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, the show is taking place at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre until 7th December, and is organised in strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA).

The judging for La Cuisine by SIAL, organised by the Emirates Culinary Guild of Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the World Association of Chefs' Societies, moves to the final day of evaluation and the competition for Best Regional Barista is also heating up with judges continuing their rigorous assessments of finalists to determine the winner.

Winners last night included:

Category: Airline Meal - Economy

Company: DSI Foods
Title of Entry: Chicken Tikka Masala with Pea Pulao & Daal Tadka

Category: Airline Meal – Premium Class

Company: Etihad
Title of Entry: Textured Dessert

Category: Service Concept – Economy Class

Company: Qantas
Title of Entry: Qantas International Dining Experience

Category: Service Concept – Premium Class

Company: Qatar Airways
Title of Entry: Super Food Salad

Category: Food Product - Snack

Company: Monty’s Bakehouse
Title of Entry: Chinese BBQ Style Chicken Savoury Pastry

Category: Food Product – Savoury