Last week, Delaware North’s travel division again drew the attention of the airline hospitality industry as it was recognized by the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA). At its annual conference held for airport concessionaires, ACI-NA placed two Delaware North-operated restaurant concepts among its award winners. Angel Food Bakery & Donut Bar at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), took home first place for best new local concept, while IVINI at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) placed second in the same category.
Angel Food Bakery, which won a first-place prize in the quick-service category last year for its scratch-made donuts, cakes and other pastries, continues to impress travelers at MSP. The local Minneapolis concept has gained notoriety by using fresh, all-natural ingredients that are sourced locally and sustainably. Its quaint storefront in Terminal 1 at MSP is reminiscent of an airy European café and was designed to showcase the fresh-made donuts, cupcakes, cookies and pretzels. The store also features an array of coffee and espresso drinks, teas and juices. Since its founding in 2012, Angel Food Bakery has attracted praise from across the industry including The Food Network, Travel + Leisure Magazine, Martha Stewart Living and Williams Sonoma.
IVINI, which opened last year at AUS, is a concept developed with Austin-area restaurateur Love Nance, who also is the founder of Annie’s Café, another AUS mainstay. Located in the airport’s west terminal, IVINI is a sleek, 124-foot “modern Milan” Italian market featuring a curved wine bar, complete with an espresso area, a walk-up takeaway bar for beer and wine, a 30-foot prepared foods section and a seated table service area. Much of IVINI’s food preparation is done out in the open, including fresh salumi platters prepared “while you watch” on a hand-cranked charcuterie slicer. Bruschetta boxes (designed for travelers to eat on an airplane), salads, pizzas, and Italian coffees and pastries are also available. Additionally, IVINI boasts a wine list curated by Jeremy Cohen, who is a past recipient of the Best Wine List in America award.
ACI-NA is one of the industry’s leading organization and represents local, regional and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. Approximately 380 aviation-related businesses are also members of ACI-NA, providing goods and services to airports.
ACI-NA’s members enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America.