WTCE’s Taste of Travel Theatre to focus on health and wellbeing – Aircraft Interiors International

The organisers of World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) have released the Taste of Travel programme for Thursday 30th May, with a focus on the theme of passenger health and wellbeing. Taste of Travel, a free-to-attend programme of educational sessions, live cooking demonstrations and tasting opportunities that runs as part of the event at Hamburg Messe, will feature expert panels discussing the challenges that operators face in meeting the growing trend of health consciousness to enhance the passenger experience.

The day’s sessions will begin with a premium breakfast service, with health drinks served by Kelly Stevenson, director of the Jetvine consultancy, and Nathan Clemes, founder of Unrooted – both beverage specialists, together with Audrey Hart, senior manager of food & beverages and ancillaries at Virgin Atlantic. Attendeed will not go thirsty, as while discussing the latest health trends important to passengers, the Unrooted team will also serve health drinks and tell the story of baobab, the African superfood.

Following this, chef Steve Walpole will moderate a session looking at culinary nutrition and how advanced culinary concepts can be applied onboard. He will be joined by Melissa Adamski, a travel dietitian and founder of Nutted Out Nutrition, and Salim Hazif, managing director at Food Folk, another food and beverage specialist. Other guests will include Gwendel Hamon, food development manager at airline food service partner, En Route, and Aaron Brudney, national account manager at Biotiful, a supplier of range of gut health products.

In addition to his culinary nutrition session, chef Steve Walpole will serve up his latest range of health foods for the audience to sample, alongside a free tasting of low-alcohol and wellness drinks with Kelly Stevenson of Jetvine.

As part of the Route to Innovation session, sponsored by En Route, chefs Marcus Nilsson and Richard Wake will explore the six key consumer trends set to impact the next 12 months and consider what this means for the travel catering industry. One such key trend that shows no signs of slowing down is health & wellness. Questions to be addressed include how health and tech can drive innovation and improve both customer satisfaction and operational efficiency; why passengers are seeking vitality and balance; and how passenger solutions can be adapted for consumers who seek moderation rather than strict restrictions.

Located in Hall A1 at the Hamburg Messe from 28-30 May 2024, all Taste of Travel sessions are free to attend.