Gourmet meat pies will be on the menu at the Qantas Club this month, with the airline kicking off a series of ‘pop-up dining experiences’ at its domestic airport lounges.
Sydney travellers will be the first to take part in the trial, which will see Qantas partnering with Merivale for in-lounge tasting of Bert’s Pies, ‘the ultimate meat pie’ created by Alex Woolley, head chef at Merivale’s three-hatted restaurant est.
The pies will be served from a pie cart in the Sydney Qantas Club on September 12 from 3pm to 6pm.
Other pop-ups will follow at other Qantas Clubs including Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, with the airline looking to work with local “food innovators” in each city, although Qantas says that resident superchef Neil Perry will also be taking part.
“We’re looking for something in bit special with our pop-up meals” says Helen Gray, Head of Domestic Product & Service.
Each meal will be matched with a wine from the Qantas Club’s selection, although Gray agreed with Australian Business Traveller that a cold beer could be the best match for the pies.
In other news from the Qantas lounge front, hospitality chain Accor – parent company for the Sofitel, Pullman and Novotel brands – will take over management of all Qantas Business Lounges and Qantas Clubs later this year.
Melbourne’s two lounges will come under Accor’s wing from November, with Sydney and Brisbane to follow in the December-January period.
Accor already runs Qantas’ Sydney and Melbourne first and business lounges, along the the recently-opened Qantas Singapore Lounge.
Gray told Australian Business Traveller the move reflects Qantas’ increased focus on customer service.
“Accor has a very similar philosophy about customers to Qantas” Gray said. “We’ve been working with them from the very start of the Qantas First lounges and they’re the best at what they do.”
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
12 Jun 2013
Total posts 735
That's a whole lot of words for three hours of pies.
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 650
i love the 'pop up' concept...provides an outlet for other chefs/businesses to gain exposure for their brand/product wirh a 'captive audience'...and of course provides something 'different' to F/Fers ..btw i may not even get to experience it..but still hope it's a success ... (of course there will be others who will whinge that it's not available when THEY are in the QC)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Jan 2013
Total posts 50
I think the more interesting part of this article is the Accor bit. I'll be very interested to see how they manage the much lower cost lounges.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Jan 2013
Total posts 698
I agree Phil, I think that move bodes well for the Qantas Business flyer, it'll be interesting to see how that changes things.
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3012
What's expected to change when Accor takes over the domestic lounges?
Qantas - QFF Platinum
20 Mar 2012
Total posts 211
Given how quickly the mini pies fly off the shelf already I have no doubt that these will be a success.
Agree with Hugo though...
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
30 Aug 2013
Total posts 9
QANTAS is finally upgrading their business class after realising Virgin Australia is stealing their customers but it would be even better if they put this menu option on the inflight menu as 'weekly delights or specials' because I reckon it would be very popular with customers.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2011
Total posts 732
So Business class travellers will have to make do without pop-up dining (unless they sneak into the QF Pub?).
Agreed with many others, Accor taking over the management can be a very good thing! The way they manage the SYD and MEL international lounges is great!
Virgin Australia - Platinum
21 Dec 2012
Total posts 86
David, no mention of Adelaide in your article? Already we have the worst food of any Virgin lounge and Qantas business lounge and now no meat pies. :(
Virgin Australia - Platinum
21 Dec 2012
Total posts 86
Sorry that should have read "no" Qantas business lounge in Adelaide
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
20 Aug 2012
Total posts 11
Hello Virgin, taking notes? Your choice is good but so the same for a weekly flyer like me.
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