Owner of popular Sydney restaurant to make food for Qatar Airways in major collaboration
A renowned Aussie chef has done something he's never done before – partner with an airline, in a move that will see his famous dishes enjoyed 30,000ft in the air.
If you've dined at Woodcut in Crown Sydney or Marmelo in Melbourne, then you'd be familiar with Ross Lusted's clean, bold and flavoursome dishes.
The award-winning Aussie chef and owner of the two popular restaurants has joined forces with the 'world's best' airline – Qatar Airways – curating a new in-flight dining menu for business and first class passengers departing Australia to Doha from June 12.
'This is my first time partnering with an airline, and it's been an exciting venture,' chef Ross told news.com.au.
'Creating food that holds up at 30,000 feet is a unique challenge, flavours behave differently, textures change, and you have to be really deliberate about what you put on the plate.'
He said passengers can expect a curated selection ranging from Fraser Island spanner crab cakes to black Angus beef tenderloin, that celebrate world class Australian produce.
'From delicately prepared seafood to locally sourced producer-lead beef and lamb, we've worked hard to curate a menu that feels premium and thoughtful, with Woodcut's core ethos of cooking with wood, charcoal and steam underpinning the dishes,' he said.
When asked what his favourite dish is, he said it was a tough call, 'but if I had to choose, I'd say the Black Angus Beef Tenderloin' paired with green beans, tarragon butter, bread and butter pickles.'
He added: 'It's a dish that really shows off what we value here at Woodcut, using world class produce, a thoughtful combination of flavours that marry well together.'
'There's nowhere to hide with that kind of dish, especially at altitude, where the balance of flavour, tenderness, and presentation is key.'
Chef Ross said he also loves Australian seafood and the seared cured fish plate, 'showcases this more than ever, and is a go-to on the Woodcut menu'.
'Dressed with a blend of soy and sesame oil, pickled young ginger and cucumber, it's fresh, high quality and flavourful.'
Chef Ross said he and the airline – named the World's Best at the 2024 Skytrax Awards – are aligned when it comes to quality, innovation, and showcasing the best local Australian produce.
'Qatar Airways is renowned for its exceptional food service and has been honoured with numerous accolades,' he told news.com.au
'This dedication to excellence mirrors our philosophy at Woodcut, a celebration of incredible Australian produce and the earthy and sensory experience of cooking with fire and steam, imparting a tangible element of flavour and authenticity to each dish.'
'Travelling and living globally has been pivotal influence in my journey. I love that Qatar Airways is connecting Australians to the world and it's been incredibly rewarding to bring my culinary vision to the table and elevate the in-flight experience for Qatar Airways passengers.'
The menu will be refreshed every three months with Chef Ross' curation for a total of four menu cycles.
It will also be available on Virgin flights departing from Australia to Doha as of June 12.
The Middle Eastern carrier partnered with Virgin after the Australian Government gave its tick of approval.
Qatar Airways now has a minority 25 per cent stake in the Aussie carrier, in turn expanding Virgin's flight network.
Virgin has largely been out of the international market for four and a half years – with its current overseas routes including Bali, New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu and Samoa.
But since partnering with the major carrier, it will now crack the Middle Eastern market operating an additional 28 flights a week to Doha on behalf of the Australian carrier.
The deal means Virgin can lease planes and staff from the Qatari airline and compete on the route.
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