Emirates expands ‘Book the Cook’-style meal service
The Gulf carrier says it’s all about creating a ‘restaurant in the sky’ experience for its guests.
By Chris Ashton, September 18 2023
Emirates is gearing up for a swift global expansion of its meal pre-order service over the coming months, with trials taking wing between Dubai and the UK since July proving a hearty appetite for a flexible dining option. More than a dozen cities have already been added to the list.
Among them are the likes of Rome, Prague, Vienna and Istanbul, together with Madrid, Warsaw and Bologna. Flights to and from Seychelles and Mauritius are also in the mix.
Beyond merely ‘chicken or beef’, the airline allows Emirates business class passengers to select from a wide range of regionally inspired fare, in addition to special meals (vegan, vegetarian et al).
Chocolate hazelnut pancakes topped with apricot compote, beef tenderloin, potato wedges and thyme jus, and a pan-fried salmon luxuriated in saffron cream are just a trio of the dishes now available to pre-select at Emirates.com between 14 days and 24 hours before flights at no charge.
Travellers will be able to pre-order their main, then select sides once onboard.
Qantas partner Emirates says the ability to choose mains in advance not only ensures guests get their preferred meal every time (no more missing out by one seat) but reduces food wastage, which is an issue many airlines are working to solve.
Of course, Emirates isn’t the first airline to offer pre-selection. Singapore Airlines’ Book the Cook is a well-oiled machine spanning more than 40 dishes, including perennial favourite lobster thermidor, while Thai Airways also offers its own selection of tantalising meals.
Meal ordering is the latest part of Emirates’ ongoing $2 billion overhaul of its inflight experience, which notably began with last year’s premium economy rollout and fleet-wide cabin refresh, in addition to the upgraded Champagne and caviar experience.
Also read: How does Emirates A380 first & business class compare?
20 Jul 2023
Total posts 10
Doesnt matter what class of service your in, EK do the worst catering. Even in first it's unappetising. Please don't mention the mezze and UAE sourced caviar. Alcohol is excellent, catering isn't!
20 Jul 2023
Total posts 10
GIve me a beautifully prepared schnitzel anytime 😊
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Mar 2020
Total posts 23
I feel the whole food situation in EK J class is a step down from Qatar. For example the mezze is served with cold pita bread on EK compared to warm on QR - first world problems, but an expanded BTC type selection would be great.
04 Sep 2019
Total posts 55
Singapore airlines says to its competitors "welcome to the party guys"
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 382
Yes, SIA is a well oiled machine.
I personally had the eye fillet ex Brisbane last week followed by the lobster ex Singapore. Delicious.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
19 Jan 2018
Total posts 23
That bloody mezze! I've been flying EK J class for several years and in that time not once has that mezze dish changed. Do you think they could mix it up a bit by adding at least one different food item to the plate? And at the risk of sounding like a total ingrate, they never (ever) give you enough pita bread... I always have leftover hommus and no bread to spread it on. I've actually stopped ordering it now... just can't do it anymore. I usually go with the soup or whatever the other alternative is. Hope they add the "Book the Cook" service to other routes soon. Most of the time I'm doing MEL/DXB/NCE and back.
10 May 2020
Total posts 5
Gosh, you really must be doing it tough. Those dying of hunger around the world would be appalled to know you didn't have enough pita bread to go with your hummus.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Jul 2017
Total posts 30
Just returned from DXB in F, food was exceptional and service superb. Flight was Codeshare with Q
Pleasing everyone isn't easy when you are preparing 120,000 meals per day out of the dnata kitchen there. I have inspected the kitchen. I found that if you needed extra bread or other item just ask for it.
QFF
19 Sep 2013
Total posts 202
Can you “Book the cook” with Q codeshare?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Mar 2020
Total posts 23
A good question, hopefully yes. No chauffeur and no free wifi with QF codeshare
You can book special meals using the EK booking reference on their website when using QF codeshare, so hopefully you can do the same with btc.
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