Neil Perry cooks up new menu for Qantas’ direct flight to Rome
The award-winning chef has mastered the art of preparing Spaghettini with prawns at 35,000 feet.
Australians’ appetite for travel has been met by Qantas in more ways than one with its much anticipated return to Rome after an 18-month long pause.
On June 25, the airline will launch direct flights from Perth to Rome, along with changes to its inflight and business lounge menus.
Thanks to Neil Perry, the airline’s Creative Director of Food, Beverage and Service, business class passengers will be transported to Italy through their tastebuds with a selection of classic dishes.
“For Italians, cooking and eating good food is at the heart of their culture. They nurture and nourish their family and friends with food and we hope these Italian influenced menu items do the same for our Qantas customers,” Mr Perry said.
The introduction of the new menu coincides with Festa della Repubblica, Italy’s Republic Day, celebrated with a national public holiday.
Leaning into the seasonality, flavour and freshness associated with his favourite regional dishes, Mr Perry has designed a menu which will see passengers enjoying Spaghettini with prawns, garlic and chilli, grilled fish with peperonata, tiramisu and more throughout the month of June.
Mr Perry said Italian food was ideal for inflight dining, having perfected the process for preparing pasta at 35,000 feet.
“Our galley crew do the last step which ensures it’s fresh and great on the plate,” he said. “The other wonderful addition we have with Italian food is the garnishes – salsa verde, gremolata, pesto, peperonata all add that fabulous flavoursome finish.”
Other menu items include warm focaccia with buffalo mozzarella, artichokes, olives and salami and Mr Perry’s personal favourite, Bucatini all Amatriciana, an iconic Roman dish of Bucatini pasta tossed with a sauce of guanciale (cured pork jowl), tomato and pecorino romano cheese, usually with dried chilli and black pepper.
“I always throw in extra chilli in mine but it’s such classic comfort food — just add a nice glass of Italian red and you may as well be sitting in a cobblestoned courtyard cafe in Rome,” he said.
The announcement comes just in time for Australians hoping to escape to their first European summer in two years. The new flight will take place on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner which will slice more than three hours off the current travel time to Rome.
Qantas chief customer officer Stephanie Tully said due to the love Qantas customers have for Italy, these dining experiences will be shared across the airline’s lounges.
“So even for those travelling through our domestic Business lounges, there is a little bit of Italiano inspiration to whet their appetite for international travel.”