United Airlines has employed the services of celebrity chef Art Smith and renowned mixologist Adam Seger as it continues its $100 million lounge transformation programme.
Smith – former personal chef to Oprah Winfrey and owner of Table Fifty Two restaurant in Chicago (soon to reopen as the Blue Door Kitchen) – will contribute to United Club and lounge menu planning, design and food presentation as part of his role as culinary ambassador.
Meanwhile Chicago-based mixologist Seger will oversee bartender training and the carrier’s upgraded complimentary and premium spirits programme.
New United Club design concept
United will also partner with the Disney Institute to provide hospitality training and support for all Sodexo employees working in United Club locations.
Over the next two years United will revamp its Club facilities at continental US hubs and key international cities, as well refreshing other lounges worldwide.
The carrier recently unveiled new lounges at Atlanta and San Francisco (see news November 19, 2015), and plans to either renovate or refresh lounges at New York Newark, Chicago O'Hare, Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, Dallas-Fort Worth and Guam airports during 2016.
Mark Caswell