Delaware North Companies Vying to Bring Top Los Angeles Chefs and Cultural Experiences to LAX

LOS ANGELES (March 10, 2011) – Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, one of the world’s leading airport food and retail providers, has submitted bids to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) focused on bringing a completely new, local experience to the airport through a combination of extraordinary local chefs and a partnership with one of the city’s most historic and cherished tourist and culinary attractions.

 

The Delaware North package includes a proposed permanent location in Terminal 4 for famed Chef Ludo Lefebvre, creator of the innovative pop-up restaurant phenomenon in Los Angeles that is now being duplicated by other chefs across the United States. The proposed location, to be called Ludo Vite (which translates to “Ludo quickly”), will feature the chef’s famous “Ludo Fried Chicken.”

 

A former Top Chef Masters contestant, Chef Ludo last month was selected to create the menu for the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party, and last week announced a new culinary-focused television show with the Sundance Channel.

 

Replicating the imagery and excitement of the Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax is a concept of the Delaware North bid for Terminal 5. The Original Farmers Market has been an iconic Los Angeles destination for 77 years and a top tourist destination in the city. The proposed “stroll through Farmers Market” concept at LAX will redefine the traditional notion of a food court, offering artisan cuisine in an environment that conveys the cultural experience and sense of nostalgia of the corner of Third and Fairfax. 

 

The Original Farmers Market at LAX will offer fresh, high-quality foods, vegetables, fruit, snacks and beverages from some of its long-time merchants, including T & Y Bakery, Magee’s House of Nuts, Light My Fire, ¡Lotería! Grill, Monsieur Marcel and a Market coffee bar.

 

“Our goal is to bring the total local L.A. experience to LAX,” said Bob Stanton, vice president of business development for Delaware North. “It’s about top local chefs plus iconic, authentic cultural destinations that really define what L.A. is all about. It’s a fresh approach that gives LAX a whole new perspective to consider.”

Other concepts in the Delaware North bids include:

 

· Chef Josie Le Balch – Consistently named one of L.A.’s best chefs, the creator of Josie Restaurant is hoping to bring her nextdoor@LAX gourmet dining experience to the airport, a progressive American cuisine with influences from France, the Mediterranean and local farmers markets. (Terminal 4)

 

· King’s Seafood – The parent company of 18 restaurants, including King’s Fish House, recently opened Fish Camp, and the Water Grill in downtown L.A., King’s Seafood will introduce a new “King’s Oyster Bar” concept.  The oyster bar will feature a large variety of freshly shucked oysters, assorted chilled shellfish, and other pristine seafood favorites along with local craft beers and California wines. (Terminal 4)

 

· ¡Lotería! Grill – Famed local chef Jimmy Shaw will bring his passion for cooking and love of Mexican street fare to LAX in both Terminals 4 and 5. ¡Lotería! Grill has been listed among the top Mexican restaurants in the Southern California Zagat Guide since 2004.

 

· Monsieur Marcel – A true Los Angeles favorite at The Original Farmers Market, Monsieur Marcel at LAX will embody l’esprit of the historic landmark and a traditional French bistro, highlighting the brand’s well-known “pain vin et fromage” – bread, wine, cheese and snacks in a grab-and-go format. (Terminal 5)

 

· Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf – Rounding out Delaware North’s package is Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, which began as an L.A. coffeehouse. At its proposed LAX location, it will create an exclusive blend of tea, coffee and an Original Ice-Blended beverage expressly for LAX. (Terminal 4)

 

Last fall, Delaware North, as part of a joint venture with partner Marbella Food Services, was selected by LAX to bring a new “Skewers” concept by famed Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto to Terminal 5, and a “Wolfgang Express” by popular chef Wolfgang Puck to Terminal 7. Currently, Delaware North operates the recently opened Pink’s Hot Dogs LAX and the Daily Grill Restaurant, both in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, as well as The Encounter Restaurant & Bar, located inside the landmark LAX Theme Building, and a Wolfgang Express.