MASTERCHEF WINNER, SHAWN GODFREY DESIGNS LIFT’S NEW PREMIUM MENU

LIFT Premium passengers will now enjoy an elevated in-flight dining experience, thanks to a new menu, conceptualised and created by SA’s very own MasterChef winner, Shawn Godfrey. 

After winning the coveted title, Gqeberha-born Godfrey, an Engineer by profession, launched his new company: The Roasted Dad. It is through a LIFT partnership with The Roasted Dad that Godfrey has explored an entirely new way of preparing food at 30 000 ft.

“We set out to elevate our Premium dining experience, with a focus on uniquely South African cuisine, to provide our travellers with a taste of SA when they fly. We knew Shawn would be the best person for the job, and he didn’t disappoint!” said Jonathan Ayache, CEO and Co-Founder of LIFT. 

In preparing the menu Godfrey had several challenges to take into account since meals prepared for flights have their very own guidelines, not experienced when dining on land. 

“It’s important to be strategic about the meals served on a plane. Obviously, smell is a big consideration on a flight due to the confined space, so meals including ingredients with a strong odour can be unpleasant, and we chose to stay clear of those”, Godfrey says.

“In addition, being mindful that South Africa is a melting pot of beautiful diversity, all food suppliers and products used by LIFT are halaal friendly”, Godfrey adds.

Dishes featured on the new LIFT Premium menu include Chickpea Shakshuka served with Ostrich Boerewors and micro herbs as a breakfast snack. For lunch or a dinner snack, passengers can enjoy creamy cheese herb ‘pap tert’ served with Moroccan pulled Lamb, yogurt and micro herb topping. 

Those travellers with a sweet tooth can indulge in dark brownie and white cappuccino truffles, mindfully chosen by Godfrey in an effort to switch things up from the common jellied consistency of desserts offered on flights. 

“To complement the new Premium food menu, LIFT will bring in a fresh assortment of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Travellers will be able to choose from a wide range of premium wines and spirits by local and international producers such as DGB - SA’s largest producers of wine brands: Bellingham, Bochendal, Backsberg and Fryer’s Cove. Additional beverages include the world’s leading spirits: Vodka’s Absolut, SA’s premium gin - Inverroche, second best-selling single malt - Glenlivet, as well as super-premium Scotch whiskey - Chivas Regal, to name a few from Pernord Richard’s international portfolio of brands,” concludes Ayache.