Gordon Ramsay Reveals Plane Food Market at Heathrow T5
Online check-in complete. Last-minute packing, sorted. Quadruple-check that your passport is with you (repeat hourly). Once you’re through security (and can, therefore, reduce the pre-trip jitters to the simple concern of missing your flight from within the airport), it’s time to relax and refresh before your trip. Yet airside dining has never been the highlight of a journey… that is, until now.
Lucky Cat lands at Terminal 5 with Duck Leg Bao
Whilst Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food has been a mainstay of London’s Heathrow Terminal 5 since its opening in 2008, December 1st marked a significant shakeup in its offerings with the introduction of Plane Food Market. Bringing in beloved elements from several of Gordon’s worldwide concepts in a cultural multi-layered and flavoured melting pot akin to a genuine food market, the concept includes Street Pizza, Fish & Chips, Hotter Than Hell (his speciality wings with five customisable spice levels), Lucky Cat and Street Burger. The result? A diverse menu of crowd pleasers for travellers and hungry jet-setters, with both dine-in and grab-and-go options available for additional ease, comfort and delight.
There’s no getting away from the fact that the idea of fish and chips, bonito fried duck leg bao, and lasagne with garlic bread side by side on a menu can be a little jarring. However, the marketplace concept openly welcomes each visitor to dine in their own time zone and according to their individual cravings and desires, all while overlooking the tarmac peppered with departing planes. There’s equally no escaping the reality that it really does work. Seriously – at 7:45 am on my way to Miami, whilst I scarfed a genuinely exceptional breakfast of Scottish smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, complete with buttery seasoned whole leaf spinach and roasted tomatoes, a neighbouring table enjoyed a smash burger and a pizza. We both walked away from our respective tables very happily indeed.
Hard to beat. Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips at Plane Food Market
Incidentally, just the afternoon before I had enjoyed the same selection at a press event held in Terminal 5 to celebrate the launch — onward travel not mandatory – but whilst the opportunity to sample from a wider aspect of the menu was encouraged, I flew in and lay over. The brilliantly-named and meme-baiting Idiot Sandwich remains a menu highlight, with slow-cooked BBQ beef brisket in a sesame bun with pickled cucumber and crispy onion, as does the grilled ‘minute’ steak and butter chicken curry. For those wanting a more liquid refreshment, guests can visit the bar to enjoy a selection of mocktails and cocktails, from the strawberry and basil martini, or a classic Negroni, or toast to their trip with a bottle of Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut.
Cocktails and pre-flight relaxation, Plane Food Market Bar
The new grab-and-go menu combines items like sushi, salads and sandwiches are available alongside hot options like fish and chips or smash burgers, each of which can be packaged to take to 40,000 feet with swift ordering from a dedicated counter. It’s something Gordon clearly feels passionate about, and he rightly shared, “A great meal eases the flight”.
Serving between 500 to 600 guests for breakfast each day is no mean feat, but everything flows smoothly and promptly. Our server jubilantly shares that they have worked at the venue for 12 years; just one of the many friendly faces we saw, each proud to be there. With the pleasure, nay, honour of meeting Gordon for the launch of this groundbreaking concept – driven by equal parts convenience and commitment to great flavours – I can see why he welcomed us to “Relax. Eat well. Enjoy the architecture, and enjoy the fun.”
