Catalan cuisine takes flight on Singapore Airlines Barcelona route

Michelin-starred Catalan chef Nandu Jubany has designed a new in-flight menu for Singapore Airlines' direct route between Barcelona and Singapore, allowing passengers to enjoy traditional Catalan dishes at 30,000 feet.

The menu, which will be served in business class from May 1, features dishes such as monkfish 'suquet' stew, Catalan-style cod, roast chicken with raisins and pine nuts, and beef 'fricandó.'

Starters include courgette cannelloni with crab and tuna salad cannelloni, while desserts range from vanilla flan and crema catalana to peach mousse and cheesecake.

"First I thought about what dishes might work well, because we won't be cooking them up there ourselves," Jubany told Catalan News at the menu's presentation event in his Pur restaurant in Barcelona on Tuesday.

"They have to be reheated and served properly, on a plane, and there might be turbulence," he added, outlining the challenges of designing the menu.

The menu showcases Catalan flavours but with some influence from Singapore.

One dish, a "slightly spicy" courgette cannelloni filled with white prawn, was inspired by the Singapore's famous chilli crab.

"We have monkfish 'suquet' stew with local prawns, good ones," Jubany said. "We also have roast chicken with raisins, prunes and pine nuts, like a Christmas roast."

Jubany, who has two restaurants in Singapore, said the project was another opportunity to showcase Catalan gastronomy internationally.

"What makes me happiest as a Catalan chef is being able to showcase our products and our gastronomy and bring it to what I consider the best airline in the world."

Singapore Airlines' general manager for Spain and Portugal, Kevin Lee, said the collaboration highlights the region's cuisine.

"I think it's the first time for us working with a Catalan chef," Lee told Catalan News.

"It's really important for us to be able to showcase the local cuisine here, because Catalonia is such a great region with very good fresh produce and very high gastronomic standards."

Singapore Airlines currently operates direct flights between Barcelona and Singapore and will increase the route from three to five weekly flights between July 1 and September 3 during the summer peak season.