Always a fan of the culinary offerings available today in the air, and within the walls of the luxurious club lounges, we were thrilled to hear about the latest offering with Virgin Atlantic’s brand new partnership with celebrity chef and master pâtissier Eric Lanlard. Eric has created a series of bespoke afternoon teas for the London Heathrow Clubhouse and for Upper Class, Premium, and Economy cabins on all day flights worldwide. Having followed Eric’s many exciting baking experiences around the world over the years, his passion and creativity never ceases to amaze me… and now this unique afternoon tea is becoming available in London Heathrow’s Clubhouse, and in the air before too much longer!
New Afternoon Tea will launch at the London Heathrow Clubhouse this month, followed by Upper Class, Premium and Economy cabin editions late summer 2018
Starting this month Eric Lanlard will be bringing his award winning culinary experience to the Virgin Atlantic Heathrow Clubhouse, served afternoon tea between 3pm and 5.30pm daily. This latest addition to the Clubhouse menu can be enjoyed with a pot of tea or Lanson rose champagne and will be served on a bespoke stand filled with items including:
- Prosciutto, sunblushed tomato and rocket on a stone baked Campagne brown roll
- Smoked salmon, cream cheese and dill mint mini croissant
- Broccoli, goat’s cheese and cress savoury tart
- Homemade plain and sultana scones with strawberry preserve, lemon and clotted cream
- Eton mess verrine with strawberry coulis
- Apple and blackberry cake
- Dark chocolate brownie with salted caramel sauce
Customers across all three of Virgin Atlantic’s cabins will also get the chance to sample Eric’s signature afternoon tea when flying on day flights. Launching in late summer, the 38,000ft high tea will feature handmade sandwiches, scones and an assortment of macarons. Eric will be trialling the onboard high tea on a special test flight this April in order to hone the perfect menu for each cabin.
“Virgin Atlantic is famous for its award winning food and drink, and this year we’re taking that reputation to new heights,” said Daniel Kerzner, VP of Customer Experience at Virgin Atlantic. “We’re excited to work with Eric Lanlard and introduce a fresh take on afternoon tea to our Heathrow Clubhouse from April, and onboard our flights from late summer. It’s the first time that Eric has partnered with an airline, and I think our customers are going to love it.”
Eric’s new afternoon tea joins a host of food and drinks already available to Virgin Atlantic customers. Everyone onboard all Virgin Atlantic flights are treated to two tasty meals, snacks, wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks as well as award winning inflight entertainment.
“I am very excited about this new partnership and can’t wait to combine my passion for baking with air travel… and who better to do it with than a fun, dynamic and iconic brand such as Virgin Atlantic, said Eric Lanlard, Master Pâtissier. “We’re on a mission to own afternoon tea both in the air and on the ground at the Heathrow Clubhouse.“
I know I am looking forward to the opportunity to experience this newest afternoon tea experience involving Eric’s artistic flare that he brings to all of his baking endeavors — maybe you can even be one of the lucky passengers to run into him on a flight this month with the opportunity to enjoy the first tastes… We love that Virgin Atlantic and Eric Lanlard have combined to further enhance the culinary travel experience!
