New and Improved Northwest New World Business Class
For well over fifty years Northwest "Orient" Airlines, as it was known, has been flying across the Pacific to Japan from Seattle and California. Over the last few years, Northwest has added long-haul non-stops to its Asian network from its major hubs in Minneapolis and Detroit. The airline also offers transatlantic service from these hubs to several European cities including Amsterdam where it shares connections with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. With a large intercontinental fleet of DC-10s and 747-400s, the airline has recently upgraded its World Business Class adding more leg-room, sleeper seats, and best of all, a new in-flight meal service.
Before flying to Rome to catch the Wind Surf, CruiseGourmet spent two hours at Northwest's catering kitchens in Detroit. In conjunction with LSG-Sky Chefs, Northwest coordinates preparation of 1,276 World Business Class meals for their daily intercontinental departures from Detroit. John Sanders, Northwest's catering operations manager, arranged a preview and tasting of the dining enhancements offered on our flight later that evening. I don't know about you, but I love to know what's on the dinner menu before I even see it!
To start... a delectable smoked beef tenderloin supplied by Perini Ranch (available for home delivery in the CruiseGourmet Shop). After a green salad and assorted rolls, the main entrée selection is offered consisting of some surprisingly delicious options created by Northwest's consulting chef team.
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| From left to right the NW LSG SkyChef Team in Detroit Mark Calvird Exec Chef, John Sanders NW Catering Operations Manager, John Whelan General Manager LSG SkyChefs, James Rugiero Customer Service LSG-SkyChef |
This group of land-based chefs run several of the country's best regional restaurants. We were fortunate to have a chat with Chef Brian Polycn, the proprietor of the Five Lakes Grill in Milford, Michigan. He is the consulting chef responsible for the main entrees on our Northwest flight to Rome. Having worked in top restaurants in the Midwest, he opened the Five Lakes Grill to spend more time with his family, some of whom can be spotted helping Dad in the dining room where he serves seasonal and regional dishes.
My favorite entree was the Apple Cider Grilled Chicken, served with butternut squash and gratin potatoes. Other choices included a grilled filet of beef with a wonderful sun-dried tomato crust and a shrimp with shiitake mushroom lasagna.
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| Apple Cider Grilled Chicken |
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Dessert was a treat. Along with fresh fruit and cheese, a pumpkin cheesecake was served provided by David Glass Desserts (available for home delivery in the CruiseGourmet Shop). It was out of this world!
The wine list included:
1998 Castello Monte Vibiano Grechetto Chardonnay
1997 Herman Wente Reserve Chardonnay
1997 Chatau Barreyres Cru Bourgeois Haut Medoc
1997 Joseph Phelps Vin Du MIstral Pastiche Gosset Champagne
Northwest has done a wonderful job creating a Business Class that's well worth the upgrade on the way to your next Asian or European cruise!
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