Industry Update
SSP AMERICA AMTRAK BA
Sacramento source
SSP America, the North American division of SSP, recently won a 10-year, $110 million contract at Sacramento International’s newly modernised Central Terminal B. The mix of outlets includes local favourites Jack’s Urban Eats, Dos Coyotes Border Cafe, Cafeteria 15L and Old Soul Co. Passengers will enjoy variety and fresh, locally-sourced, farm-to-table products wherever possible. Jack’s Urban Eats serves comfort food with a contemporary vibe, while Old Soul Co coffee shop has an industrial-chic vibe with freshly roasted organic coffees and seasonal baked goods. Dos Coyotes provides a colourful interpretation of Southwest cuisine with daily chalkboard specials that capitalise on locally-sourced produce in season. On the menu are Californian cheeses, chicken, and premium Angus beef. SSP’s own award-winning Camden Food
Co brand will make an appearance landside at Terminal B, with organic, Fairtrade, and something healthy for every taste on offer. Cafeteria 15L is a chic urban kitchen offering whimsical California versions of classic American dishes, in which Mason Wong, long-time local success with The Park, opens the first airport example of 15L. Peet’s Coffee & Tea offers a superior and distinctive range of coffees, while the Gateway Bar will refresh travellers with locally- grown salads and gourmet sandwiches, plus local wines and micro-brewery beers.
www.foodtravelexperts.com
Wi-fi on the rails
Amtrak Cascades, which runs between Vancouver, British Columbia and Eugene in Oregon, is the second train in the Amtrak fleet to install a full-train wi-fi network. The Amtrak high-speed Acela Express, operating between Boston and Washington, DC along the northeast corridor, launched Wi-Fi on all 20 trains in March 2010. As well as allowing internet connection, the free AmtrakConnectSM service will also allow passengers to access corporate networks through most standard Virtual Private Networks (VPN). More than 838,000 travellers rode Amtrak Cascades in 2010, a 16-year high. The company says wi-fi service has been the most requested amenity by Amtrak Cascades passengers. The Amtrak Cascades service will be free during the introductory period, after which the policy will be reviewed based on customer demand and system performance. The service, provided jointly by Amtrak and the Washington State Department of Transportation, is part of a long-term project to refurbish all the trains to like-new condition and extend their service life to approximately 2029. So far each set of trains has been fitted with new leather seating surfaces, interior colour schemes and panelling have been updated, and new flooring installed. Audio and video systems and the bistro and lounge cars will also be upgraded.
www.amtrak.com
Mission impossible
British Airways’ inflight catering was featured on Heston Blumenthal’s new UK Channel 4 programme, Heston’s Mission Impossible, in which he pushes the boundaries of food development across a number of great British institutions. Blumenthal tackled that age-old issue of
what happens to food and the ability to taste at altitude, combined with the confines of an aircraft’s galley area. He worked with British Airways cabin crew members Jackie Simister and Simon Curley, as well as Steve Walpole, the airline’s long-haul development chef, 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.” OnBoard Hospitality has invited Heston to give
us a report on his findings and thoughts on the BA kitchen and airline catering in general in the next issue.
www.ba.com
SSP America serves up in Sacramento
Amtrak spreads the net with wi-fi
Heston proves it's possible to British Airways staff
www.onboardhospitality.com 9
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