CATHY PACIFIC CASE STUDY
THE LONDON KITCHEN DELIVERS BESPOKE CATERING FOR CATHY PACIFIC'S VIP EVENT AT THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE.
In February 2025, The London Kitchen had the privilege of providing bespoke catering for the exclusive launch of Cathay Pacific’s Aria Business Class Suite at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. This high-profile VIP and press event showcased the airline’s latest luxury offering, giving guests an immersive experience of premium hospitality and elegance.
Over two days, our team delivered an exceptional dining experience, reflecting The London Kitchen’s expertise in high-end event catering. With a meticulously crafted menu, seamless service, and attention to every detail, we ensured that every dish matched the sophistication of Cathay Pacific’s world-class brand.
THE GOALS
Cathay Pacific’s goal for this exclusive event was to showcase the high-end facilities and luxury experience of the new Aria Business Class Suite to VIP guests and press. Every detail, from the venue to the service and catering, needed to reflect the airline’s commitment to premium hospitality, elegance, and exceptional service. By creating a seamless, immersive experience, the event aimed to leave guests with a true sense of the sophistication, comfort, and world-class quality that Cathay Pacific offers its passengers.
THE CHALLENGE
Catering in a Grade I listed theatre always presents unique logistical challenges, and Theatre Royal Drury Lane was no exception. With limited kitchen space, long distances between prep areas and event spaces, and only one access point for food service, maintaining the flow of service while ensuring consistent food quality required meticulous planning.
Keeping dishes at the perfect temperature while navigating the constraints of the historic venue was a key consideration. Every guest needed to receive seamless service, despite the logistical hurdles of navigating a single access point for food delivery.
Additionally, Cathay Pacific’s bespoke Chinese menu required authenticity, precision, and respect for tradition to meet the expectations of the airline’s discerning audience. Ensuring that every dish was genuine, perfectly executed, and served at its best in a non-traditional kitchen setup was a challenge that demanded expertise, coordination, and creative problem-solving.
GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND
To deliver an authentic, high-end catering experience that matched the luxury of Cathay Pacific’s Aria Business Class Suite, The London Kitchen went beyond traditional event catering by bringing in renowned chef Victor Yu. Recognised as one of the UK’s top Chinese chefs, with praise from Gordon Ramsay, Victor’s expertise was instrumental in crafting a truly bespoke and authentic menu for the event.
Working alongside Victor, our team of highly skilled chefs designed an exquisite, carefully curated menu, ensuring that each dish reflected traditional Chinese flavours with a refined, modern presentation. Beyond the menu, we also devised innovative service styles to overcome the venue’s logistical challenges, ensuring that every guest received perfectly served, restaurant-quality dishes at the ideal temperature, despite the constraints of a Grade I listed theatre.
By combining culinary excellence, logistical expertise, and a commitment to authenticity, The London Kitchen created a seamless dining experience that reflected Cathay Pacific’s premium service and attention to detail, leaving a lasting impression on every guest in attendance.
LOGISTICAL EXPERTISE
Delivering high-end catering in a busy central London location comes with its own set of challenges, and Theatre Royal Drury Lane was no exception. With limited access to the venue just hours before the event and the added difficulty of navigating transport in and out of Covent Garden, careful logistical planning was essential to ensuring a smooth execution.
Our experienced event managers devised a meticulously planned schedule to maximise efficiency on-site and minimise setup time, allowing our chefs to focus on delivering the exquisite, authentic menu without disruption. Every detail, from kitchen workflow to service coordination, was carefully considered to ensure that food was prepared, plated, and served with precision—despite the time constraints.
It is this level of expert planning and execution that sets The London Kitchen apart. Our team’s ability to foresee and overcome logistical challenges ensures that, no matter the venue, we deliver a flawless, seamless catering experience that exceeds expectations.
OUTCOME
The event was a resounding success, with Cathay Pacific praising The London Kitchen for delivering a menu and service that perfectly complemented the launch of the Aria Business Class Suite. Press and VIP guests were impressed by the authenticity and quality of the cuisine, which enhanced the overall experience without overshadowing the main showcase. The seamless integration of bespoke catering into the event highlighted The London Kitchen's expertise in executing high-end events that align with a client's brand and objectives.
