(L-R) Doxis Bekris, Emirates VP of Culinary Design, Charles de Pontevès - Moët & Chandon Ambassador, Jean-Michel Bardet - Executive chef, Moët & Chandon - Photo courtesy: Emirates
Emirates has taken luxury inflight dining to new heights, unveiling 18 exclusive champagne-paired dishes for its Business Class customers across most medium to long-haul flights globally. In collaboration with Moët & Chandon, Emirates now offers an expertly curated pairing menu, meticulously designed to showcase the perfect harmony of fine cuisine and world-class Champagne.
A Year in the Making: The Ultimate Culinary Collaboration
This refined menu was crafted over more than a year between Emirates’ Vice President of Culinary Design, Doxis Bekris, and Moët & Chandon’s Michelin-starred Head Chef, Jean Michel Bardet. Their challenge was clear—design restaurant-quality dishes that not only complement the elegance of Moët & Chandon’s finest Champagnes, but also scale flawlessly for Emirates’ global Business Class operations, which serve an astonishing 149 meals every minute and more than 77 million meals per year.
Now, Emirates Business Class passengers can check their menu in advance, with exclusive champagne-paired dishes marked by a crown icon, ensuring they experience the ultimate luxury dining moment at 40,000 feet.
A Masterpiece in the Air: Champagne-Paired Culinary Delights
Starters to Savour
- Poached Scallops with green melon, blanched kumquat, lemon gel, and roasted almonds, paired with Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2016, where the scallops’ delicate saltiness enhances the cuvée’s radiance, while kumquat and melon amplify its vibrant bouquet.
- Silken Tofu with poached asparagus, soy emulsion, olive oil, lemon gel, and cashew cream, paired with Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial, where the bright lemon and soy marinade elevate the Champagne’s umami notes, complemented by dill and cashew cream for a velvety finish.
Main Courses of Distinction
- Roasted Duck served with braised aubergine, chickpeas, and raz el hanout-spiced couscous-jus, paired with Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial, where spiced couscous enhances the Champagne’s red wine structure, creating an intriguing balance of richness and acidity.
- Succulent Roasted Turkey with sage chicken jus, mashed potato, braised fennel, and almonds, paired with Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2016, where the Champagne’s vegetal notes blend seamlessly with the sage-infused jus, ensuring a deeply savoury pairing.
- Seared Chilean Seabass, paired with Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial, complemented by artichoke purée, lemongrass sauce, and buttered sugar snap peas—the artichoke’s smooth texture aligns with the Champagne’s refined elegance, while lemongrass enhances its refreshing brightness.
- Braised Lentils with Coconut, accompanied by steamed basmati rice, spiced cauliflower, green peas, and naan, paired with Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial, where curry seasoning highlights the Champagne’s fruity bouquet, contrasted beautifully by coriander’s herbal freshness.
The Art of Culinary Excellence at 40,000 Feet
Crafting a flawless dining experience onboard requires deep collaboration between Emirates and Moët & Chandon. From France to Dubai, chefs worked tirelessly to perfect flavour profiles, balance altitude impact, and ensure dishes could be seamlessly plated by Emirates’ world-class cabin crew.
For Emirates Business Class travellers, this new menu redefines inflight dining, delivering a highly curated, immersive experience that blends gastronomic mastery with the elegance of Champagne—an indulgence worthy of the world’s largest international airline.
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