Archive for July, 2017

INTERNATIONAL. Welcome to the latest issue of The Moodie Davitt e-Zine. The sixth Airport Food & Beverage Conference and Awards – the best-attended and one of the classiest FAB events yet – took place in Toronto recently.

In a special edition of The Foodie Report, we look back at some of the highlights of the conference and offer a comprehensive report on the spectacular FAB Awards – including judges’ comments on the winning entries, accompanied by images and video.

The Moodie Davitt Report and m1nd-set have partnered to present a new column offering critical insights into airport commercial tenders. The first instalment focuses on Beijing Capital International, Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International and San Francisco International airports.

In our new Travel Retail’s Positive Disruptors series in association with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Portland Design Director of Environments Lewis Allen asks Alexa, Amazon’s all-knowing virtual digital assistant, what the outlook for travel retail is in airports. The response is fascinating.

A ‘Scandal-ous’ fragrance launch and a stylish summer promotion feature in our regular look at the industry’s best new launches, campaigns, activations and openings.

Please enjoy this edition of The Moodie Davitt e-Zine with our compliments.

CANADA. The sixth Airport Food & Beverage Conference and Awards – the best attended and arguably the best FAB event yet – concluded on Friday in Toronto. It was organised by The Moodie Davitt Report/The Foodie Report and hosted in superb style by Toronto Pearson International Airport. [In related news the 2018 event will be hosted Finavia/Helsinki Airport, with dates to be confirmed soon].

The conference was studded with many exceptional presentations that showcased the variety and ambition of the airport F&B business worldwide today. A key feature too was how candidly many speakers addressed the shortcomings of the industry and how it engages with consumers, even against the background of progress over recent years.

An excellent example was the opening address on day one, where Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) Vice President of Customer and Terminal Services Scott Collier said that GTAA aimed to be “the best airport in the world”: but admitted that there remains a long way to go to achieve that goal. He said the company planned to leverage the image and reputation of the city of Toronto to build its reputation among consumers. There is investment too, with 90% of its F&B outlets having been updated since 2012 and a +40% rise in sales per enplanement in that period.

“We acknowledge that GTAA has been difficult to work with at times,” he openly told business partners. “But we are listening and we are changing. We are looking in the mirror and challenging the status quo. If we chase perfection, we might just reach excellence.”

Collier’s vision of lifting the airport environment into something memorable, comfortable and user-friendly were mirrored later in the day by a top-class presentation by OTG CEO Rick Blatstein, who addressed how the industry needs to better understand the consumer and focus on creating fresh experiences.

A major highlight of day one was an audience with celebrated Canadian chef Lynn Crawford, in which she discussed her life, career, values and the challenges of the airport market.

There were a number of outstanding panel discussions, among them an airport-focused session on morning one featuring Copenhagen Airports Head of F&B/Convenience John Lungstrom Khan, Greater Toronto Airport Authority Director Commercial Development Mike Ross and AIRMALL USA President & CEO Ben Zandi. Another highlight panel involved Smart Design President & CEO Nick Baker, London Gatwick Head of Retail Rachel Bulford and Emirates Leisure Retail Chief Operating Officer Kevin Zajax, who each addressed new influences on the business, from design to a new generation of travellers.

Among the most striking presentations of the day came from HMSHost North America President & CEO Steve Johnson, who assessed what he sees as the next wave of innovation in the dining scene and its impact on our environment.

Areas Worldwide Chief Executive Pedro Fontana offered some personal, candid views on the shortcomings of the concession model and the future for airport F&B in North America.

In a first for FAB, SSP memorably hosted a live cooking demonstration on stage blended with a walk-and-talk interview led by GTAA’s Scott Collier. The session, introduced by SSP America CEO Michael Svagdis, featured chef Massimo Capra and Wahlburgers’ Norm McLennan with a lovely cameo appearance from sous-chef Justin of the Wahlburgers’ company. The session managed to beautifully evoke the passion for cooking from each of the chefs, alongside an open discussion of the challenges of the airport space for brands.

 

Day two also began on a high note, with a showcase of the next generation of airport commercial environments in North America and a conversation around partnership and driving progress in the channel. This featured New York JFK T4 (JFKIAT) VP Concession Management Ed Midgley, Paradies Lagardère CEO Gregg Paradies and Westfield Airports Vice President Leasing Iris Messina.

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Later, San Francisco International Airport Director Revenue Development & Management Cheryl Nashir and Toronto Pearson International Airport Manager of F&B Programs Suzanne Merrell outlined their views on the key dynamics that will drive the market in future. Among the influences are the rise of healthy food as a trend; concepts that connect with people emotionally (such as Joe & The Juice at San Francisco Airport, noted Nashir); the continuing importance of breakfast – but often eaten at different times of the day; pop-ups and street food.

There was also an unforgettable contribution from Leon Co-Founder John Vincent, who appeared alongside business partner Walter Seib, CEO of HMSHost International.

Vincent memorably articulated how “the purpose of business is to do good” and to “maintain our humanity”. Citing how the Leon team and location were caught up in the recent London Bridge terror attacks in London, he noted: “We are the fourth emergency service”.

Day two also featured a breezy round-up of the latest developments in technology that are affecting the channel, featuring GRAB CEO Mark Bergsrud, HMSHost Executive Vice President & Chief Information Officer Sarah Naqvi and Kallpod COO Steven Barrow Barlow. Later, we heard how small can be beautiful in the evocative stories of three brands aiming to make their mark in the airport environment. Speakers included Marqette General Manager Michael Thornton, EMCAT – Airport F&B Alliance Managing Director Lars Crone and Mango Tree Managing Director Trevor MacKenzie.

The importance of making a connection between food tourism and airports was neatly illustrated by Culinary Tourism Alliance President Rebecca MacKenzie, who noted how the airport environment can and should be an incubator for local brands.

As always, the social and networking side of FAB was an important element. Major highlights included the Autogrill/HMSHost-organised Welcome Cocktail at the Hockey Hall of Fame, and an SSP-hosted After FAB Party in the Historic Distillery District of Toronto on Friday afternoon.

The FAB Awards and Gala Dinner, hosted in classy style by OTG and Toronto Pearson International, was the centrepiece of the event, with the award winners announced in our story here.

Full coverage of the FAB Conference and Awards 2017 will appear in a special edition of The Foodie Report e-Zine soon.

INTERNATIONAL. The best and most innovative concepts in travel-related food & beverage were recognised on Thursday evening at the 2017 FAB Awards.

The awards were presented at a glittering gala event held during the sixth annual Airport Food and Beverage (FAB) Conference & Awards in Toronto this week, organised by The Moodie Davitt Report and The Foodie Report.

The gala evening was hosted by OTG and Toronto Pearson International Airport. A special e-Zine exploring the winning concepts – and reviewing the FAB conference – will be published in coming weeks.

The winners, regional winners and commendations are:

Airport Coffee or Non-Alcoholic Beverage Shop of the Year

Winner: HMSHost North America; Starbucks, Los Angeles International Airport

Regional winner (Middle East & India): Emirates Leisure Retail; Costa Coffee, Dubai International Airport

Regional winner (ASPAC): Emirates Leisure Retail; Hudson Coffee, Sydney International Airport

Regional winner (Americas): HMSHost North America; Starbucks, Los Angeles International Airport

Regional winner (Europe): Lagardère Travel Retail; So! Coffee, Krakow Balice Airport

Highly commended: Argo Tea; Argo Tea, Chicago O’Hare International Terminal 2

Airport ‘Food to Go’ Offer of the Year

Winner: Pret A Manger; London Heathrow Airport

Regional winner (Middle East & India): Emirates Leisure Retail; Giraffe Stop, Dubai International Airport

Regional winner (ASPAC): Sydney Airport; Joe & The Juice, Sydney Airport

Regional winner (Americas): OTG; Dynamic Concepts, Newark Airport

Regional winner (Europe): Pret A Manger; Pret A Manger, Heathrow Airport

Highly commended: Autogrill Group; Exki Takeaway, Brussels Airport

Airport Bar of the Year

Winner: Crews; Rock & Brews Bar & Grill, Los Angeles International Airport

Regional winner (Middle East & India): Emirates Leisure Retail; The Draft House, Dubai International Airport

Regional winner (ASPAC): Emirates Leisure Retail; Heineken Bar, Sydney International Airport

Regional winner (Americas): Crews; Rock & Brews Bar & Grill, Los Angeles International Airport

Regional winner (Europe): TRG Concessions; Nicholas Culpeper, London Gatwick Airport

Highly commended: TRG Concessions; Nicholas Culpeper, London Gatwick Airport

Airport Wine Bar of the Year

Winner: Areas; Ferrari Spazio Bollicine, Milan Malpensa Airport

Regional winner (Americas): SSP America; Le Grand Comptoir, George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Regional winner (Europe): Areas; Ferrari Spazio Bollicine, Milan Malpensa Airport

Highly commended: SSP America; Le Grand Comptoir, Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Airport Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year

Winner: TRG Concessions; Wondertree, London Gatwick Airport

Regional winner (ASPAC): Emirates Leisure Retail; The Bistro by Wolfgang Puck, Sydney International Airport

Regional winner (Americas): Dan Food Service Corporation; Gachi House of Sushi, BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport

Regional winner (Europe):  TRG Concessions; Wondertree, London Gatwick Airport

Highly commended: Dan Food Service Corporation; Gachi House of Sushi, BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport,

Airport Upscale Dining Restaurant of the Year

Winner: SSP America; Lift Bar and Grill, Vancouver International Airport

Regional winner (ASPAC): HMSHost International; Crystal Jade, Beijing Capital International Airport

Regional winner (Europe): SSP Denmark; Aamanns, Copenhagen Airport

Regional winner (Americas): SSP America; Lift Bar and Grill, Vancouver International Airport

Airport Food Hall of the Year

Winner: Michael J.F Wright Hospitality Group; Marqette, Dublin Airport

Regional winner (ASPAC): OURHOME; Food Empire, Incheon International Airport

Regional winner (Americas): Tastes on the Fly; Napa Farms Market, San Francisco International Airport

Regional winner (Europe): Michael J.F Wright Hospitality Group; Marqette, Dublin Airport

Highly commended: OURHOME; Food Empire, Incheon International Airport

Tastes on the Fly; Napa Farms Market, San Francisco International Airport

New Food & Beverage Concept of the Year

Winner: Changi Airport Group; Hello Kitty Orchid Garden – A Kitty-fied Dining Experience, Singapore Changi Airport

Regional winner (Middle East & India): Emirates Leisure Retail; The Draft House, Dubai International Airport

Regional winner (ASPAC): Changi Airport Group; Hello Kitty Orchid Garden – A Kitty-fied Dining Experience, Singapore Changi Airport

Regional winner (Americas): HMSHost North America; Book & Bourbon, Louisville International Airport

Regional winner (Europe): CasualFood; Goodman & Filippo, Dusseldorf Airport

F&B Marketing & Promotions Campaign of the Year

Winner: OTG; Truffle Week, Newark Liberty International Airport

Regional winner (Europe): Autogrill Group; Bistrot Digital Communication Strategy

Regional winner (ASPAC):  Changi Airport Group; Changi Loves Kids, Singapore Changi

Regional winner (Americas): OTG; Truffle Week; Newark Liberty International

Regional winner (Middle East & India): Travel Food Services; Indonesian Festival at GVK Lounge, Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International T2

Customer Service Initiative of the Year

Winner: Incheon International Airport; CS 3.0, Incheon International Airport

Regional winner (Europe): Areas; Areas Increase Customer Satisfaction program, multiple locations

Regional winner (Asia Pacific): CS 3.0; Incheon International Airport

Regional winner (Americas): MarketPlace Development; Merchant Development Program, Reagan National and Dulles International

Highly commended: Areas; Areas Increase Customer Satisfaction program, Multiple Locations

Individual Food & Beverage Offer of the Year in a Railway Station

Winner: SSP UK; Gino D’Acampo – My Restaurant, London Euston Station

Highly commended: Lagardère Travel Retail; L’Etoile du Nord, Paris Gare du Nord Station

Travel Food Services; Raildhaba – Visakhapatnam (Vizag) Railway Station

Airport Food & Beverage Offer Best Reflecting ‘Sense of Place’

Winner: Lagardère Travel Retail; La Plage & Pan Garni, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport

Regional winner (Middle East & India): Travel Food Services; GVK Lounge (Domestic) by TFS Performa, Mumbai Airport

Regional winner (ASPAC): Emirates Leisure Retail; James Boag’s Upper Deck, Launceston Airport

Regional winner (Americas): HMSHost North America; Book & Bourbon, Louisville International Airport

Regional winner (Europe): Lagardère Travel Retail; La Plage & Pan Garni, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport

Highly commended: Copenhagen Airports; Copenhagen Airport

‘La spirito de vojaĝado’ – ‘The spirit of travel’

Winner: Autogrill; Creative Carbohydrates

Highly commended: Tastes on the Fly; Mariskoj Aventuro

Sustained Commitment to Quality and Excellence

Winner: Caviar House & Prunier

The FAB Dining Transformation Award (Airports)

Winner: OTG; Newark Liberty International Airport

The FAB Dining Transformation Award (Railway stations)

Winner: Travel Food Services; Raildhaba – Visakhapatnam (Vizag) Railway Station

#AiroftheDog Great Airport Cocktail Award

 Winner: Gavin George; OTG Aprops; Toronto Pearson International

The FAB ‘Wow’ Factor 2017

 Winner: HMSHost International; Pier Zero, Helsinki Airport

The FAB Award for Outstanding Individual Contribution to Airport Food & Beverage

Winner: Zenola Campbell Vice President Concessions Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

Airport Food & Beverage Offer of the Year

Winner: Changi Airport Group; A Foodie’s Gastronomic Experience, Singapore Changi Airport

Regional winner (Middle East & India): Dubai Airports Company; Concourse D, Dubai International Airport

Regional winner (ASPAC): Changi Airport Group; A Foodie’s Gastronomic Experience, Singapore Changi Airport

Regional winner (Americas): Greater Toronto Airports Authority; Toronto Pearson International Airport

Regional winner (Europe): Copenhagen Airports; Copenhagen Airport

Highly commended: Copenhagen Airports

 

CANADA. The sixth annual Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) Conference & Awards began on Wednesday night with a stunning Opening Cocktail hosted by Autogrill and HMSHost at The Hockey Hall of Fame in downtown Toronto. The Hall of Fame celebrates ice hockey’s greatest players, with memorabilia and icons from the sport’s illustrious history.

Guests were treated to a series of high-class dishes served by leading Canadian chefs (and partners of HMSHost North America) Lynn Crawford, Roger Mooking, Susur Lee and John Placko, who were on hand to greet delegates.

FAB 2017 is being hosted by Toronto Pearson International Airport, and the event has attracted a record 210 delegates, underlining just how important food & beverage has become to the airport community.

The conference begins today. Delegates can expect to hear from a variety of engaging and accomplished speakers – and will celebrate the industry’s finest during the FAB Awards, with the ceremony taking place at a glittering Gala Dinner tonight (22 June).

Toronto Pearson International hosted an in-depth and widely acclaimed airport tour on Wednesday, while other social highlights will include a trip to Toronto’s Distillery Historic District on Friday, for a reception which coincides with the launch of the TD Toronto Jazz Festival.

NORTH AMERICA/INTERNATIONAL. The sixth annual Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) Conference & Awards will kick off tonight at the traditional Opening Cocktail, this year hosted by Autogrill and HMSHost at The Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

FAB 2017 is being hosted by Toronto Pearson International Airport, and the event has attracted a record 210 delegates, underlining just how important food & beverage has become to the airport community.

Over the next few days, delegates can expect to hear from a variety of engaging and accomplished speakers – and celebrate the industry’s finest during the FAB Awards, with the ceremony taking place at a glittering Gala Dinner tomorrow (22 June).

Social events, such as an airport tour taking place today (21 June) and a trip to Toronto’s Distillery Historic District for a reception which coincides with the launch of the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, will offer further excitement and networking opportunities.

FAB 2017 will champion best practice, debate the major issues and try to identify how we can collectively grow the global business for all industry stakeholders.

The speaker line-up includes several of North America’s most celebrated chefs, including reality TV star, chef and restaurateur Paul Wahlberg and Toronto culinary legend Massimo Capra. Chef Lynn Crawford will also discuss her culinary vision and values, and the challenges and opportunities of the airport market.

Travel restaurateurs OTG, SSP, Areas, Autogrill and HMSHost are Platinum Partners of this year’s FAB Conference. Lagardère Travel Retail is a Bronze Partner, and additional sponsors include Booster Juice, Mango Tree, Travel Food Services and The Restaurant Group.

If you couldn’t make it to Toronto, don’t worry. We’ll keep you up to date with all the happenings on Moodie Davitt Live, including the big announcements Thursday night of the FAB winners.

Click here to read a preview of FAB 2017 in the latest edition of The Foodie Report.