Wellbeing on board will be a major theme at this year’s World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) with the organisers revealing that it will feature throughout the Taste of Travel programme.
Sessions focused on the future of plant-based catering, the shift towards non-alcoholic beverages, challenges surrounding allergies and the latest innovations from global airlines will take centre stage in the Taste of Travel theatre throughout the three-day event.
Curated in association with Onboard Hospitality (OBH) magazine and organised by Jo Austin, former Editor of OBH, a roster of well-known industry experts will cover the hottest topics affecting the onboard services and passenger comfort industries.
Visitors can expect panel discussions, live demonstrations and tastings that will offer practical advice on how to cater for changing consumer expectations, as well as understanding how they can tailor their business to attract discerning Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha passengers.
Day one of the event will see expert panellists from Singapore Airlines, Iberia, IFSA and Creative Nature take to the stage to delve into food safety and how airlines are dealing with this increasingly challenging issue. Moderated by Marc Warde from Niche Free-From Kitchen, ‘Anxiety at 35,000 Feet’ will offer visitors valuable insight into what it’s like to fly with an allergy and will be a must-attend for anyone navigating this space.
For those looking to dive deeper into free-from, a discussion on the second day of WTCE entitled ‘The Future of Plant-Based Onboard’ will demonstrate how the latest innovations are leading the way in this ever-evolving food space. There are now more than 88 million vegans in the world, with Gen-Z being the driving force behind the sector’s growth.
Chef Gerard Bertholon of Cuisine Solutions will set the scene for a thought-provoking demonstration around how plant-based now goes beyond traditional protein preparations. He will cover everything from plant-based lamb to shrimp, whilst also touching on the new ‘rules’ around clean labels.
Day two of WTCE will also see Culinary Food Developer, Steve Walpole take to the Taste of Travel Theatre to provide visitors with a real culinary delight as he serves his favourite lunch recipe. Walpole has been in the food industry for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience in all sectors including inflight, retail and food service. His passion for plant-based and free-from food is sure to inspire visitors as they discover the endless possibilities when looking to cater to special diets onboard.
One session in particular will be centred around supporting the mental health of those in the hospitality business. The founder of The Burnt Chef Project, Kris Hall, will take to the stage on the first day of the event alongside Adam Simmonds, one of Britain’s highest profile and awarded chefs, to discuss how the organisation supports vulnerable people in the hospitality business with mental health issues.
The charity has a global reach with ambassadors currently in US, Canada, Australia and the Nordic countries, along with a strong network across the UK. The charity’s goal is to be able to extend the ambassador programme in these and other countries to support vulnerable individuals and create training programmes within the industry. The session at the Taste of Travel Theatre is set to bring the current issues to light for attending visitors.
The Taste of Travel programme will also feature a wide selection of other sessions, tapping into the key themes highlighted across the show floor, including sustainability and creating memorable experiences.
WTCE Event Director, Polly Magraw, concluded:
“The Taste of Travel programme is always a highlight of WTCE as it allows us to delve deeper into the core themes of the event and the collaborative thinking it initiates brings the industry together to tackle major issues. The wellbeing sessions at this year’s event will be crucial to helping visitors better understand the trends in this sector and how these can be translated to the onboard industry.
The variety of expert speakers we have lined up to discuss the topic is second to none and I have no doubt that the sessions will be insightful for anyone attending WTCE this year.”
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