Heston Blumenthal takes on airline catering for TV show

Heston Blumenthal has taken on airline catering with British Airways for a new Channel 4 TV programme.

As part of Heston's Mission Impossible, the esteemed chef will examine the challenge of serving food to 100,000 customers a day at 35,000ft, assessing what happens to food and taste at altitude in the confines of an aircraft's galley area.

Blumenthal will work with British Airways cabin crew members Jackie Simister and Simon Curley, as well as Steve Walpole, the airline's development chef, at the airline's longhaul catering supplier, Gate Gourmet, to develop a meal that tastes as good in the air as it does on the ground.

Mark Hassell, British Airways' head of customer experience and a tasting panel judge on the show, said: "There is a real science to food at altitude and with his innovative and creative approach, Heston's work has been really interesting to us.

"We have very high standards when it comes to our food and Heston has not only been asked to impress British Airways, but more importantly our customers. Ultimately, they will be the judge of Heston's final creation."

Heston's Mission Impossible will be shown on Channel 4 on 22 February at 9pm.

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal lives up to the hype >>

Caterersearch.com 100: Heston Blumenthal >>

Heston Blumenthal adds the Crown in Bray to his burgeoning empire >>

Heston Blumenthal's Little Chef menu to go nationwide >>

By Janie Stamford

E-mail your comments to Janie Stamford here.

If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.caterersearch.com/tabletalk

Caterersearch.com jobs

Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Caterersearch.com jobs