SSP previews exciting new bars and restaurants at Geneva International Airport
SSP News Release 29-April-2008
SSP, The Food Travel Experts, today exclusively preview the innovative portfolio of new food and beverage brands soon to feature in Geneva International Airport, Switzerland.
Leading industry figures Michelin-starred chef Gilles Dupont, Claude Nobs, the founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival and the CEO of Caviar House & Prunier Peter Rebeiz will today be attending a special event at Geneva airport to preview their forthcoming restaurants.
In proud association with these experts in their respective fields, SSP has developed several exciting new concepts specially for Geneva airport. The upgraded terminal will feature a bar, bistro, restaurant and conference centre created by leading local chef Dupont, a café inspired by the iconic Montreux Jazz Festival, and a Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar. The restaurants form part of a broader portfolio of food and beverage outlets to be operated by SSP that also includes international brands such as Starbucks and Burger King.
‘A close working relationship with our partners at Geneva airport and our combined understanding of passengers at Geneva was the starting point to creating an innovative range of brands that would deliver the best possible experience to visitors,’ said Rick Stavast, Managing Director of SSP Switzerland.
‘Working in conjunction with some of the most prestigious names in the business, and using our operational expertise gained at a number of the finest airports in Switzerland and across the world, the standards of cuisine at Geneva will make flying to and from Geneva an inspiring and exciting culinary pleasure. The opening of the new facilities will be an exciting development for us at SSP, for Geneva airport and its passengers, and for the greater community of Geneva.’
Gilles Dupont of the famed Lion d’Or restaurant on the shores of Lake Geneva in Cologny, is the name behind the new roof-top venue called Altitude. With spectacular views of the airport and the Jura mountains beyond, Altitude has been designed to appeal to the local community as well as passengers. It will incorporate a shop, a bar and a lounge, and there will also be meeting rooms equipped with the latest office technology.
The Montreux Jazz Café, created in collaboration with Claude Nobs, best-known as the founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival, will bring the glamour and atmosphere of the legendary event to the airport. It will comprise two distinct areas – the main restaurant and cafe will be located in the ‘front stage’ section, while the ‘back-stage’ lounge bar will have an even greater focus on the music of the festival and serve as a venue for exclusive music events. Nobs, who himself trained as a chef at the Hotel School of Lausanne, has been closely involved in the project and will be inviting a number of his friends from the music world to visit and perform at the venue.
SSP is delighted to be building on its successful global collaboration with Caviar House & Prunier with the opening of a Seafood Bar in Geneva. Peter Rebeiz, CEO is a globally-renowned caviar expert. A pioneer of gastronomy in the airport environment, Caviar House & Prunier serves a range of signature dishes from the ‘Tsarina’ of caviar served with smoked salmon, to classic Balik smoked salmon, seafood platters and salads, prawn cocktails and lobster.
Landside at the departures level, SSP is also scheduled to open a free-flow restaurant called Les Jardins de Genève, themed after the gardens for which the city is famous. Here passengers will also be able to choose between a Starbucks, a Burger King, an Asian restaurant called Bento, a Mediterranean-style outlet called Le Sud and a bar, called simply Le Bar. There will also be a Flavours convenience store.
Airside a food court called La Cuisine will serve a range of Asian and Mediterranean specialties. This will be complemented by a Swiss-style bakery and bar.
Pierre Germain, Commercial and Financial Director of Geneva Airport said: ‘We’re very proud that the local community is so well represented here at our airport by Gilles Dupont and the Montreux Jazz Café. SSP’s offer includes a number of elements that really reflect the best of Geneva in a way that’s original yet also authentic.’