A bunny chow, a South African dish that will be served on Qatar Airways as it celebrates its 20th anniversary flying to South Africa. Picture: Zanele Zulu/Independent Newspapers
Passengers travelling to South Africa with Qatar Airways will get the opportunity to experience local cuisine and flavours.
The airline announced that as part of celebrations for its 20-year anniversary of flying to South Africa, it will offer a menu that reflects the uniqueness of the cuisine of the nation and destination.
“Travellers on the Cape Town-Doha, Johannesburg-Doha, Durban-Maputo-Doha routes can expect food that most homesick South Africans worldwide yearn for,” said the airline.
The menu includes braised lamb potjie (stew traditionally cooked in a three-legged cast-iron pot), the classic Durban “bunny” or bunny-chow (half a loaf of bread filled with chicken curry) as well as bobotie (baked curried mincemeat topped with savoury egg custard), served with raisin rice.
The airline’s catering team also re-imagined basic traditional dishes, offering enticing new twists, like biltong (dry-cured meat) beef soup.
“While many of these traditional dishes boast a hearty, comforting quality, they are enhanced by fresh and vibrant accompaniments; for example, the slow-cooked beef is paired with zesty pickled cucumber,” said the carrier.
Passengers on Qatar Airways’ Lagos-Doha route currently enjoy West Africa’s beloved jollof rice and slow-cooked beef on a bed of cassava.
Commenting on this, Xai Cai, Qatar Airways Senior Vice President of Product Development, said uncompromising commitment to our catering offering is a major factor in the airline being named the World’s Best.
“It’s also why we’re committed to showcasing regional African specialities with unique flavours and ingredients. We work very closely with local chefs when developing these menus, and respect the heritage of each region’s culinary tradition.
“In this case, it’s a way to remind African travellers of home and introduce visitors to the continent’s culinary bounty,” she said.
Cai added that Qatar Airways’ aim is to provide a platform to promote the wonderful African flavours to the world in a way that remains not only true to the origins of each meal but also in a manner that is innovative and modern.
“Qatar Airways’ determination in working with local suppliers also includes sourcing sustainable, seasonal products to maintain the highest quality and freshness.
“Moreover, our commitment to culinary excellence also aligns with Qatar’s globally acclaimed food tradition and culinary scene, which showcases not only the diverse, robust and enticing flavours of the Gulf region but also other cuisines from the furthest stretches of the globe,” she said.