HIGH FLYING: A Michelin-star menu in the sky

Want to forgo congealed, lukewarm, tinfoil-wrapped food on your flight? Then book a First or Business Class ticket on SWISS International Air Lines, and roll out a white tablecloth for a Michelin-star-worthy menu à la L’Atelier Robuchon in Geneva.

For the next three months, the airline will transport First and Business Class passengers flying on long-haul flights out of Geneva or Zurich to the tables of L’Atelier Robuchon at The Woodward – the restaurant’s first address in Switzerland and the holder of a Michelin Star since 2022 – for a Michelin Star-worthy menu as part of Swiss Airlines’ ongoing ‘SWISS Taste of Switzerland’ inflight culinary programme.

Located at The Woodward – Geneva’s newest five-star luxury hotel, part of the prestigious Oetker Collection – L’Atelier Robuchon is under the masterful eye of Exec Chef Olivier Jean, who will bring his interpretation of the region’s best products to the ‘SWISS Taste of Switzerland’ gourmand experience, aiming to awaken the senses of passengers by revealing the best of Switzerland’s flavours.

“It is an honour to become an ambassador of our beautiful region for this collaboration,” says Olivier Jean. “I am thrilled to offer SWISS passengers a culinary journey, with my interpretation of the best produce the Geneva region has to offer. My challenge is to encourage epicureans to visit us at The Woodward on the shores of Leman Lake.”

So, what’s on the menu? Business Class passengers can feast on poached char with lemongrass sauce, sesame sushi rice, sugar snap peas and roasted squash. While guests in First Class will enjoy miso-marinated pike-perch with port wine sauce served with baked polenta, shallot confit and pak choi, or veal fillet with truffle sauce, potato purée, stuffed piquillo pepper and herb salad. In addition, SWISS Premium Economy passengers can feast on a three-course meal featuring specialities from the Geneva region, such as Geneva-style chicken with spätzli and green beans.

SWISS has been taking its long-haul First, Business and Premium Economy travellers on a journey of culinary discovery through Switzerland since December 2002, where a new Michelin-starred and Gault&Millau-point top chef is invited to present their canton to SWISS passengers by creating a selection of top-quality meals with a particular focus on regional and seasonal specialities, along with regional wine and cheese pairings. In its almost 20-year journey, ‘SWISS Taste of Switzerland’ has welcomed aboard a total of 79 guest chefs from each of Switzerland’s 26 cantons, with Olivier Jean the most recent chosen culinary collaborator.