South African MasterChef champion, Shawn Godfrey, has partnered with Lift Airline to revolutionize the in-flight dining experience. With a passion for innovative cooking and impressive culinary skills, the Gqeberha native intends to redefine what it means to dine above the clouds.
The Roasted Dad
Godfrey, an engineer who won the MasterChef title in 2022, launched his company, The Roasted Dad, which has given him the opportunity to explore and experiment with new ways of preparing and presenting food high above South Africa’s skies.
Strategizing In-Flight Meals
In an interview with IOL, Godfrey emphasized the importance of strategic planning when it comes to in-flight meals. Due to the limited space, aroma plays a significant role in the dining experience, and Godfrey avoids using ingredients with strong odors that could be off-putting to passengers. He also ensures that all food suppliers and products used by Lift Airline are halaal-friendly to cater to the diverse cultural landscape of South Africa’s passengers.
The Menu
Godfrey’s menu features innovative dishes such as chickpea shakshuka with ostrich boerewors and micro herbs for a breakfast snack. For lunch or dinner, passengers can indulge in creamy cheese herb pap tert accompanied by Moroccan pulled lamb, yoghurt, and micro herb topping. Desserts include dark brownie and white cappuccino truffles, which Godfrey selected as an alternative to the typical jellied consistency often found in in-flight offerings.
Beverages
Lift Airline co-founder Jonathan Ayache revealed that passengers can complement Godfrey’s revamped food menu with a fresh selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Passengers can choose from a wide range of premium wines and spirits from local and international producers, including South Africa’s largest wine brand producers, Bellingham, Bochendal, Backsberg, and Fryer’s Cove. The beverage selection also includes world-renowned spirits such as Absolut vodka, South Africa’s premium gin Inverroche, and the second best-selling single malt Glenlivet. The selection also includes super-premium Scotch whiskey Chivas Regal and various other brands from Pernod Richard’s international portfolio.
Elevating the In-Flight Dining Experience
This partnership between Shawn Godfrey and Lift Airline marks a significant milestone in the realm of in-flight dining. By combining Godfrey’s culinary expertise and the airline’s commitment to exceptional service, passengers can look forward to a truly elevated dining experience that is a testament to the creativity and innovation found within the South African culinary scene.
