Catering at Farnborough

[Jetdragon]

We're flying into Farnborough soon. Can anyone recommend the best catering company for quality/cost/reliablity etc.

Thank you.

:)

[chileconcarne27]

Hi,
I would highly recommend Deluxe Catering. My mum is a corporate hostess and has used them for years and wouldn't use anyone else.
Farnborough does have it's own 'in house' caterers called Absolute Taste but i have heard some bad things about the quality of food/service/availability you receive but this may have changed.
If you phone Deluxe, try and talk to Sue Griffiths or Steve McKenna;they are very friendly but will usuallu need a few days notice. Phone +44 (0)1264 358666 or fax +44 (0)1264 321144
If Deluxe can't fit you in, then try Emily's (talk to Robert) on +44 (0)1252 403607 or +44 (0)845 051 0155. Emily's can usually do things at short notice.

Hope this helps!
Chile

[Jetdragon]

Thanks very much Chile,

I would like to use a local company who can respond at short notice, is Emilys local and do they produce good quality food are they also reliable & good value for money?

JD

[JustWilliam]

I've used absolute taste and found them to be very good, friendly and proactive.

[Jetdragon]

Do you know where they are based? A local company is high on our list of priorities along with quality/cost/reliablity etc.
JD

[chileconcarne27]

Absolute taste is TAG's in house caterers and they are on site so will probably not be so expensive on the delivery side.

I suppose it depends how short notice you give. I have known Absolute Taste turn down work if the deadline is too soon but Emily's would probably be the people to go with. Emily's are a local firm, their base is Farnborough.

Deluxe are a bit further out but always deliver on time.

I can guarantee the quality of Deluxe and Emily's! They are both absolutely superb!! Excellently presented, well packed and really fresh! If it needs to be hot food then it arrives hot, not warm and cold food arrives in a chilled van.

Only my mum has used Absolute Taste to my knowledge and according to her it wasn't up to standard, but then my mum's standards are particularly high!
Thumbs up for Emily's and Deluxe :ok:

[Jetdragon]

Thanks again Chile,
Your Mum is right! Catering standards HAVE to be top notch in General Aviation, nothing else will do and we can't take chances. I'll definitely go with Emily’s after your recommendation as after a couple of phone calls I have discovered that Absolute taste are based in London and Deluxe are based in Salisbury!
Many thanks for taking the trouble to reply.
JD

[flightlevelchange]

Hi JetDragon

I personally prefer Absolute Taste, I have found their catering to the complete best in general over all others, I have used them several times and would recommend them to the highest standard, and I also recommend them to all my other friends who have no trouble at all, and they have all said how fantastic the food is.

I personally would not use Deluxe as I have found them to be more expensive.

I think they are having to turn down work as they are highly successful and a lot of crews are using them, so they are loaded with work, I would say, all, that they ask is that you give them time to do exactly what you want. The other week I gave them an order and our passengers were highly delighted with what was presented. and their food is top notch our passengers wouldn't except anything else

Good luck i would seriously recommend them to you,

regards
FLC

[LB1985]

I've heard that Absolute Taste tend to be rather stretched, particularly now that they look after all NJE's flights (god help them!) :}

[merlinxx]

Go www.deluxe-uk.com. If poss have Sue call you direct if she'd not in. Sue is ex Corporate Cabin Crew and her husband is a long time Corporate Capt. They have a very loyal customer base. No I'm not a Deluxe staffer.

[Jetdragon]

Well thanks for all your responses everyone. We used Emily's Catering for our flight ex Farnborough and excellent they were too! Superb catering, beautifully presented and fantastic service. They did some much needed shopping for us too.They even have their own organic farm which is approx 6 miles from Farnborough. We ordered our catering at short notice too which was absolutely no problem for them. It can't get better than that as far as I'm concerned. We will be using them whenever we fly out of Farnborough from now on.
Thanks to Robert and his team for all their hard work!!
JD

[emilysinflight]

just found your forum today, and would like to thank you all for your kind comments about Emilys.

I would be delighted to hear how we could improve our services to all who come to Farnborough ([email protected])

Tag's new Boss - Brandon o'reilly has issued a directive that all catering orders going through the FBO must automatically be issued to Absolute Taste, unless specifically addressed to anyone else. They have also instructed their staff NOT to publicise this new policy. So whoever you wish to use ex FAB, please ensure you address your request Clearly.

wish you all good flying and happy smiling clients!

Robert

[Bus_Bar]

What's your telephone number Robert?

Thanks

[emilysinflight]

+ 44 1252 850550
+ 44 1252 850771 (fax)
+44 7785 747640 mobile

regards

robert

we dropped the 0845 numbers last year, although possibly they may still work for a short while

[Bus_Bar]

Thank you kindly.

[TUGNBAR]

Was just browsing and thought I would comment but does anyone else agree with me here that this thread is just one big advert for Emilys catering!!!
If so it has been carefully planned and well executed....................................... end of comment bye.

[Jetdragon]

What a cynic!! I can assure you TUGNBAR that it was never my intention to promote any particular company and you'll notice that all three companies at Farnborough get glowing reports on this thread which seems absolutely fair to me.
When you want to buy a product do you not ask around for other people's views and ask for recommendation's on different manufacturer's?? Of course you do, everybody does, you'd be mad not to and that's what I was doing, can you not see that?
After some research Emily's fitted the bill for us, 100% and caterers work damned hard, they deserved some thanks, as you do at the end of your day.
Looking at your previous threads TUGNBAR I could say that you have been promoting Stansted. Has anyone criticised you for that? It's a product just as a catering company is. I'm not getting at you but pots and black kettles come to mind...........................
No pun intended, of course
JD

[Cabin Dragon]

We always use Emily's for exactly those reasons JD lists.

Seems we may be related, JD!

:)

CD

[pilotbear]

We fly a Hawker out of LF and use Emilys all the time> excellent service. :ok:
Absolute Taste are not local and are used by TAG because they run the expensive restaurant on the field in the TAG terminal. TAG also banned the local lunch van which everybody liked and used so that the AT cafe could get the business. Now everyone goes to Morrisons and buys sandwiches instead.:ugh:

TUGNBAR get a life:rolleyes:

[LB1985]

Not exactly related, so I apologise, but is it true that TAG at FAB are demanding payment for all handling totalling under £1000 there and then at the FBO? :confused:

[chevvron]

Absolute's prices were supposed to be comparable or better than Morrisons,that was part of the deal, but they're not. There's also an ASDA nearby open H24 while Morrisons close at 2000/2100 and reopen about 8.30.
Then of course there's also Pearl's Burger van at a certain local diy store but I don't want to advertise do I.

[merlinxx]

Do I detect a rash of catering probs here, get a microwave in one of the hangar offices. Since all the grnd & air squaddies have gone the local cafes have closed, so no more damn good all day fry ups.

[chevvron]

Ah fry ups. Back to the days when St John Ambulance used to provide the airfield ambulance service after RAE/DRA moved off the airfield.

[emilysinflight]

yes it is true, started about a month ago or so. if you give me your fax number i'll pick up a copy of TAG's memo and send it to you when i go down with the next delivery

[EI-CGO]

In my limited dablings in GA I came across a guy called Tony who used to supply some us out of Biggin probably 10 or so years back, he has probably fallen by the wayside, but his food was good and he was a nice chap who couldn't do enough for you.

[HBenny]

I think you refer to Tony at Thinking Foods - they've gone mass catering style in Luton now.

This forum has just been brought to my attention - I don't normally do these website chats - but feel strongly here. We have used Absolute, Emillys and Deluxe amongst others, - they all supply a good service and are all professional, but if you want good food use Absolute definately.

I can also recommend the coffee in their cafe too- keeps me awake!

I look forward to hearing your opinions about Farnborough caterers!

[pilotbear]

There is also new cafe called 'The Aviator' by the old R&D hangar, very nice.:ok:

There is nothing superior about Absolute taste except the price, Coffee is coffee.:ugh:

[chevvron]

Been here over 30 years; never heard of an R & D hangar; are you referring to the re-built airship SHED (apart from the new 3-bay, hangars at Farnborough are referred to as sheds, this being what they were called prior to the invention of the word hangar)

[pilotbear]

:confused:

[Tequilaboy]

..used Emilys where I can, end of.