Airline food photography
I spent today in the food presentation room in Doha International Airport, taking photographs of luscious food. Yes, so it is airline food, but much of it is premium first and business class food. I really enjoyed the food on my flight from Bangkok to Doha - the lunch snack included a small filet of smoked salmon on top of a slice of bagguette with some other finger foods, served very presentably.
Between taking photos, I watch the two Performa consultants arrange and measure the ingredients for most of the dishes to be presented tomorrow. I got to taste and snack on some of the foods, which is really yummy.
What I really appreciate when sitting around is learning about food preparation, the recipe design process, and just absorbing bits of the vast knowledge and experience of the two consultants. Andy and Grace have tons of expertise in food and beverage design, and it was just a pleasure to see them work. They both have cooking backgrounds, one has cabin crew experience, and they know how to optimize cooking instruments both in the ground kitchens and the ovens on the airplanes. Even the steps that the cabin crew must take to prepare and then serve the food are significant factors to be considered.
I've been snacking away discreetly in the corner, out of respect for the Muslim employees, as it is Ramadan. I think, for the Muslim employees, it is must be a big exercise of will power not to get terribly hungry when they're surrounded by really delicious food. Although I hear that workers in the food industry get pretty jaded when they're used to being around food all the time.
Anyhow, we wrapped up a 12 hour day by packing the food into the galley carts. It's little use to design great food, but be unable to pack it for serving and consumption.
Tomorrow will be more food preparation, followed by presentation to the CEO of Qatar Airlines, with Performa's CEO being present as well. I'll be taking photos in magazine styling. I'm back to Bangkok on Friday - I'll try to catch up on several movies and lots of reading during the 6 hour flight.