Chef Michel Richard's Exclusive Menu Takes Off On OpenSkies Flight

NEW YORK and WASHINGTON, June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- OpenSkies, the unique all business class airline, announced today the launch of its exclusive new menu created by Michel Richard, world-renowned chef and owner of acclaimed D.C. restaurants, Michel Richard Citronelle and Central Michel Richard. Beginning this week, Chef Richard's menu will be served during a special two month promotion on the newly launched OpenSkies route between Washington D.C.-Dulles and Paris-Orly. Chef Richard's menu will also be served on westbound flights from Paris to New York-Newark International.

"The highly anticipated menu by Chef Richard comes on the heels of the launch of our new Washington, D.C. route," said Dale Moss, CEO of OpenSkies. "We are honored to be partnering with the top French chef in our Nation's capitol -- Michel Richard -- to offer his culinary creations for OpenSkies passengers traveling between Paris and the U.S."

The exclusive menu created by Chef Richard will be served in both Biz Bed and Biz Seat cabins, and will feature a variety of dishes inspired by French and American cuisine, such as:

• Duck breast with port cinnamon sauce, served with succotash
• Beef with pesto and steamed vegetables
• Michel's Fried Chicken served with wholegrain mustard remoulade and parsnip puree
• Baked salmon, stuffed with eggplant and mozzarella, tomato emulsion
• Selection of desserts, including Michel's signature chocolate bar with butterscotch sauce; pear tart with pecan cream and maple syrup anglaise

"Partnering with OpenSkies is a match made in heaven," said Chef Richard. "I'm excited for passengers to experience my food up in the air, and I welcome travelers to visit me in my restaurants so they can enjoy the same cuisine upon arrival in Washington."

The collaboration with Chef Richard is part of OpenSkies' commitment to providing the finest travel experience and highest quality service to its customers, from gourmet meals to lavish amenities. OpenSkies' unique experience also includes a configuration that offers passengers enhanced comfort with only 64 seats on the plane; 40 are "Biz Seat" class, which provide the best comfort-price ratio in the transatlantic market, and 24 are "Biz Bed" class, offering perfectly flat beds that recline 180 degrees in a private space.

About Chef Michel Richard

Michel Richard exemplifies the art of cuisine and a love of his profession. His style is light, fresh and intelligent, with witty presentations and texture. Michel was a pioneer in French/California cuisine before moving to Washington, D.C., where Michel Richard Citronelle became his flagship restaurant. Richard knew he wanted to be a chef when he first glimpsed a restaurant kitchen at the age of eight. "The white hats, aprons, and all of the food – I fell in love." His fate was decided. Michel's creativity can be seen in prestigious culinary publications such as Food & Wine, Food Arts, Bon Appetit, and on the cover of the late great Gourmet. He has been featured in the Washington Post, Washingtonian, The New York Times, and Los Angeles Times, among many others.

Chosen by the James Beard Foundation as Outstanding Chef 2007, Michel also won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine Service at Citronelle the same year, and his second book, Happy in the Kitchen published by Artisan, won a James Beard Nomination. To rave reviews, and the 2008 James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant, he opened Central Michel Richard, which continues to be a highlight of the Washington, D.C. restaurant scene. Constantly engaged in something new, Michel, a new modern French restaurant, will open at the Ritz Carlton, Tysons Corner, in the fall of 2010.

About OpenSkies

OpenSkies is a unique all business airline that offers guests superior service, competitive fares and exceptional value. OpenSkies currently flies from New York-Newark to Paris-Orly and as of May 3, now includes service between Washington D.C.-Dulles to Paris-Orly. The airline offers guests innovative features onboard, including lie-flat beds, personal entertainment units with 50+ hours of programming and an upscale, healthy meal service. A subsidiary of British Airways, OpenSkies is the first airline created as a result of the E.U. /U.S. Open Skies Agreement, which allows airlines to fly between any U.S. and E. U. destination. Since OpenSkies first flight, it has flown over 130,000 passengers. For more information: www.flyopenskies.com or 1-866-581-3596.

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SOURCE OpenSkies