American Airlines tapped James Beard semi-finalist Randy Rucker, chef at Philadelphia restaurants River Twice and Little Water, to develop a locally inspired menu for the company’s new Flagship Lounge at Philadelphia International Airport.
Rucker is creating an all-day, self-serve menu for the elite lounge that goes way beyond cups of hummus and cheese and crackers. The space will also hold American’s first full-service bar.
“The goal of the menu is to be representative of Philadelphia,” said Rucker in an interview with Restaurant Business. “All the items are ones we would serve in our restaurants.”
The diverse food selections blend Chef Rucker’s signature contemporary coastal cuisine with Philadelphia’s deep culinary roots. Although he couldn’t share specifics, travelers can expect hand-crafted, seasonally changing dishes with a focus on locally sourced ingredients that celebrate the flavors of Philadelphia. “The lounge is a high-level, high-volume operation and I’m proud of the dishes we chose,” he said.
Chef Randy Rucker
Before curating the menu, Rucker visited American Airlines’ Flagship Lounge at JFK Airport in New York City to pick up some pointers on logistics. The spring menu there includes shrimp skewers with white beans, roasted peppers, lemon and cilantro created by James Beard Award-winning chef Ayesha Nurdjaja of NYC’s Shuka and Shukette restaurants.
“Since 2019, American has partnered with the James Beard Foundation to bring regionally inspired, chef-driven cuisine to travelers across the country,” said Heather Garboden, chief customer officer for the airline, in a statement. “Now, with Chef Rucker at the helm, the Philadelphia Flagship Lounge is set to become one of the most exciting culinary additions to the airport scene.”
American’s Philly lounge will also be the first to offer a full-service bar where guests can sit and enjoy craft cocktails, premium champagne and top-shelf spirits. A self-serve wine bar is also available for those who opt for a quick glass with their meal.
The Philadelphia lounge is set to open this summer, joining the airline’s other flagships in Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and New York airports.
American Airlines is not the only company that is elevating the lounge culinary experience to lure frequent travelers, loyalty members and elite credit card holders. Last year, Chase Sapphire opened two high-end lounges at New York City’s LaGuardia and JFK airports. That all-day chef-driven menu was developed in partnership with Joseph Leonard, a popular NYC restaurant.
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