Qatar Airways is known for its excellent food, both in the air and in its lounges. The airline has just announced a new collaboration with a celebrity chef. While I don’t usually put too much weight on these kinds of collaborations, there’s one especially cool aspect to this, if you ask me.
French chef Yannick Alléno partners with Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways has announced a gastronomic collaboration with French chef Yannick Alléno, one of the world’s most celebrated culinary figures. His 19 restaurants have a total of 17 Michelin stars, and now he plans to bring “his visionary approach to modern cuisine” to Qatar Airways’ flights and lounges.
What can we expect, with this new partnership?
- Qatar Airways will open the Pavyllon restaurant in the Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge Doha (DOH), “offering diners a seat at the counter facing an open kitchen,” in line with Alléno signature “gastronomic counter” concept
- The Qatar Airways Lounge Paris (CDG) will get some exclusive creations from Alléno
- Select first and business class meals on flights between Paris and Doha will feature recipes from Alléno, showcasing modern French cuisine
Here’s how the inspiration behind the collaboration is described:
Blending French refinement with global influences, the bespoke menus curated by Chef Alléno will be introduced in First and Business Class, and later extended to select premium lounges. These menus are a celebration of l’art de vivre – the French art of living and reflect both brands’ dedication to craftsmanship, and hospitality.
Each dish tells a story, inviting passengers to engage with the essence of ingredient-driven cooking, fermentation, and technique – all hallmarks of Alléno’s culinary identity.
I’m intrigued by the Al Safwa Lounge dining updates
As you can see, the scale of this partnership is fairly limited for now. Alléno isn’t suddenly responsible for all of Qatar Airways’ catering globally.
For that matter, I don’t generally care all that much about celebrity chef collaborations, given that the limiting factor in the quality of airline food is typically how much airlines are willing to spend per meal, rather than which chef they partner with. Broadly speaking, I’d rather they spend the money on the food, rather than on the celebrity endorsement.
That being said, the intriguing detail here is that a Pavyllon restaurant will be opening in Qatar Airways’ flagship lounge at Doha Hamad International Airport. This is the same concept as restaurants you’ll find in Paris, London, and Monte-Carlo. I’ve reached out to the airline for more details, and will report back when I learn more. I’m curious when this concept will open, if it’ll be included for guests or will be an add-on, etc.
Hamad International Airport is one of the world’s best airports, and Qatar Airways’ lounge game is also really, really strong. In particular, Qatar Airways has taken a unique approach with its collaborations. For example, the Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Garden Business Lounge has a Dior Spa, a Louis Vuitton Cafe, and more.
In that sense, this seems like logical evolution of the concept, and it also suggests that this might be a paid experience.
Bottom line
Qatar Airways is collaborating with well known chef Yannick Alléno. This includes Alléno getting involved in the carrier’s catering between Paris and Doha, as well as in the carrier’s Paris lounge. On top of that, an outpost of the Pavyllon restaurant concept will be opening in the Qatar Airways Al Safwa Lounge.
We’ll have to wait for the full details, but I’ll be sure to share more information as it’s made available.
What do you make of this development?
