V Australia has signed up celebrity chef and respected restaurateur Luke Mangan as its consulting chef to provide International Business Class Guests with specially designed signature dishes during their flights across the Pacific.

Luke Mangan at ‘home’ at Hilton’s glass Brasserie

From 1 October, the Luke Mangan signature dishes, which got the nod from Sir Richard Branson will be included on the Vistro menu and will offer two dishes, with wine recommendations to match the meals.

“Having enjoyed Luke’s food both at his restaurants, on Virgin Atlantic and Virgin America and also when he visited as guest chef on Necker Island, I can attest to his talent for creating delicious food in whatever environment he is given,” said Branson.

“I am delighted he will be working with the V Australia team to bring his flair and flavours to their in-flight menu.”

It is the latest enhancement to V Australia’s International Business Class offering, following the recent launch of limo transfers to and from the airport to hotel or home. 

“We are excited to have someone of Luke Mangan’s culinary calibre to be consulting and designing meals for V Australia’s in-flight menu,” said Virgin Blue Group CEO Brett Godfrey.

“We have been very happy with the feedback we have received regarding the ‘eat what you want, when you want’ menu and meal standards and the inclusion of Luke’s signature dishes will raise the bar even higher,” he said.
 
V Australia’s Vistro menu rotates regularly to provide variety for the increasing number of repeat Guests who travel on V Australia.  The first cycle will feature the likes of Roasted lamb loin with onion jam, slow roasted tomatoes, potato mash and basil oil; and Maple roasted chicken breast with roasted pumpkin, bacon and broccolini.

“I like to source the best local ingredients and showcase them with a clean and contemporary twist,” said Mangan.

“I want V Australia passengers to have a taste of fresh, modern Australian cuisine while flying over the Pacific,” he said.

Mangan also consults for V Australia’s sister airlines Virgin America and Virgin Atlantic.