Chef Sanjeev Kapoor

Tandoori Prawns in a bed of Roasted Pepper Jam or Paneer in Green Makhani for the main course. A fusion dessert featuring Rasmalai and Black Forest or Malpoa with Mangoes and Fresh Berries…

These are some of the delicacies you can savour in the sky if you are flying Singapore Airlines First Class. For, the carrier has introduced culinary celebrity Sanjeev Kapoor as the new member of its International Culinary Panel (ICP) of famous chefs featuring the likes of Gordon Ramsey of the UK and Murata of Japan.

The airline has also announced the launch of its new Indian in-flight cuisine Shahi Thali, a unique meal specially designed by Kapoor, showcasing the best of both northern and southern Indian cuisine. This Indian meal was made available to Singapore Airlines First Class customers from August 1.

“It’s a great honour to be inducted into the august panel, which comprises nine of the world’s most celebrated chefs. I have been working on the Shahi Thali concept since April, and the formula has evolved based on an extensive study of customer preferences,” Kapoor tells GoodLife from Mumbai.

The survey, conducted among frequent fliers on the India-Singapore sector covering various Indian cities, revealed that most passengers would settle for South Indian for breakfast and North Indian for the main meals.

“The idea of the Shahi Thali is to replicate the home dining experience to the extent possible on board an aircraft, with ample choices to suit different palates, with a twist here and there to spice things up,” Kapoor explains.

So, while the non-vegetarian section will serve two meat dishes, a prawn option, pickle, dal and a vegetable dish, vegetarians can enjoy two main courses, dal, dahi/raita and pickle. “A little twist like using green tomatoes for Paneer Makhani can go a long way,” he reveals. The crack chef is trying out some fusion twists for sweets in the sky as well.

The Shahi Thali might later be introduced in Business Class too, adds Kapoor, who is also working on possible upgrades once Singapore Airlines starts its Airbus 380 service, “the world’s first airline to do so”.

Now, Indian meal options are available to both Business and Economy class passengers. The Indian meal option comprises North Indian and South Indian fare on Singapore Airlines services, ex-India.