The Country’s Flag Carrier Collaborates With Gourmet Comfort Food Chef

The 10-course menu will delight Business Class passengers flying non-stop from Manila to LA, San Francisco, NY, Honolulu, Vancouver, and Toronto.

“Philippine Airlines (PAL) Business Class passengers flying to and from North America are in for a delightful gastronomic experience starting this November. The country’s flag carrier is collaborating with Chef Tina Legarda to further elevate its in-flight menu served during nonstop flights from Manila to Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Honolulu, Vancouver, and Toronto,” according to a press release by PAL.

Bamba Bistro Chef Tina Legarda
Bamba Bistro’s Chef Tina Legarda

The brand shares, “Fulfilling its promise to continuously deliver a wonderful experience for passengers, PAL is unveiling a new menu featuring the creations of Chef Tina, the creative force behind Bamba Bistro, a well loved restaurant serving gourmet comfort food in BF Homes, Parañaque City for almost a decade.  She has always focused her menu on heirloom home-cooked meals that give a sense of nostalgia and reflect both her Filipino and Spanish roots. Her recipes are heavily inspired by her family’s repertoire and extensive professional training in Italian, French, and Asian cooking under renowned culinary experts here and abroad.”

READ ALSO: LA Exclusive: Asia’s Best Female Chef DeAille Tam Shares Amuse-Bouche On Michelin-Star Fine Dining

A 10-course in-flight menu showcases Legarda’s talent of playing with familiar flavors to create new ways to delight palates.

In Flight Menu - Amuse Bouche
Amuse Bouche
The Filly 
An ode to the Philippine Airlines  
Slow-Cooked Duck Adobo, Scallion Cream, Torched Lychee
 – flambéed in Tanduay Rhum

Maria’s Toast 
Represents Bamba  (Inspired by our best-selling salad) 
Homemade Longganisa, Guava Jam, Itlog na Pula Cream, Arugula, Shallots on Toasted French Baguette

The menu begins with Amuse Bouche: The Filly, Maria’s Toast, Kalabasa Soup, and Luzviminda Salad, followed by  pleasantly surprising main courses such as Crab Mie Goreng, Breakfast Burrito, Pan-fried Snapper, Nasi ng Bayan, and Boeuf Short Ribs. The Banana Budino Trifle serves as the satisfying finale.

In Flight Menu - Main Course Breakfast Burrito
Breakfast Burrito: Chicken BBQ, Scrambled Egg, Java Rice, Lettuce, Tomato Salsa, Ranch dressing, Sweet Garlic Soy glaze served with Hash Brown potatoes

PAL president and coo Capt. Stanley K. Ng shares, “With the increasing consumer confidence in international and domestic travel, we continue to look for innovative ways to elevate PAL’s in-flight dining experience. This partnership with Chef Tina supports PAL’s thrust to become a more customer-centric brand that upholds the highest standards of service, safety, and security to travelers.”

In Flight Menu - Amuse Bouche Kalabasa Soup
Kalabasa Soup: Topped with lemon gremolata (green sauce made of chopped parsley, lemon zest and garlic), candied pili nuts

“As the country’s flag carrier, we are proud to bring the Filipino culinary legacy to the skies by partnering with culinary pros like Chef Tina,” according to Ria Domingo, PAL vice president of Marketing. She continues, “Beyond flying the public, it is truly inspiring to work closely with and provide these promising local chefs an impactful platform to showcase their talent and the taste of Filipino cuisine on the global stage.” 

In Flight Menu - Main Course Pan Fried Snapper
Pan Fried Snapper: Whipped potatoes, roasted garlic butter sauce, lemon chimichurri, and steamed asparagus

As per Legarda, “I believe that PAL and Bamba operate with the same mission in mind: to create a remarkable experience and provide a unique “very Filipino” service to all our customers.  A warm and well-thought-out experience that they are going to share with their family and friends back home.” 

The chef continues, “When I was designing the menu, I wanted anybody, regardless of nationality, to taste the quality comfort food and feel the warmness  that Bamba is really known for, in every meal.”

She also hopes for passengers to think, “They thought about us when they created this.”

According to the carrier, “The collaboration between PAL and Chef Tina is part of the many developments and innovations that PAL is whipping up for its passengers.” In addition, “Earlier this year, PAL also worked with Chef JP Anglo and is looking to onboard more gourmet masters to heighten business class flights in the future.”

Ethel Francisco, PAL assistant vice president for product and service management shares, “Passengers can enjoy this menu until the end of the year. So far [the feedback] has been really good. We actually tested it in our lounge and it has been stellar.”

Philippine Airlines Employees
Fernand Yoshio P. Yoshida, Manager- Corporate Marketing, Philippine Airlines, Tina Legarda, Chef and Owner, Bamba Bistro, Howard Lance A. Uyking, AVP-Brands, Philippine Airlines, Ethel Katrina V. Francisco, AVP-Products and Services, Dhang Rayos, AVP-Catering Services, Philippine Airlines, Jed Arvin C. Menes, Manager-New Media,  Philippine Airlines, Kit Javier, Managing-Events and Partnerships, Philippine Airlines

Howard Lance Uyking, PAL assistant vice president for brands summed up the reason behind the partnership by saying: “Earlier this year, we made a commitment to transform PAL into a 21st century airline, not only in terms of look and feel but especially in terms of offerings and services that we deliver to our passengers. Our collaboration with Chef Tina Legarda is part of our continuing initiative to give our passengers an elevated experience.”

Legarda concludes, “This launch means the world to us right now. I want to thank Philippine Airlines and everybody who has given us the opportunity to do something that we have never done before. To Philippine Airlines, thank you for trusting that little BF Bistro that we opened 10 years ago. I cannot be any prouder of my team of course. We all built this tonight.”

 To learn more and to book your flights, visit  philippineairlines.com

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