✈️ In this episode of the LD Aviation Podcast, host Lindsay Dyer dives deep into the often-overlooked world of private aviation catering with two of the industry’s best:🍽️ Jonathan Bird, veteran provider from Galley Gourmet, brings 22+ years of expertise from the kitchen to the cabin.👨‍✈️ Alexander Fernandez, seasoned aviation pro, gives insights from the consumer side, dealing directly with flight departments and picky passengers. From handling last-minute VIP requests to saving flights with pizza, this episode covers: The power of food presentation on private flights, real stories of catering disasters (and recoveries), the role of culture in catering companies, tips for pilots & flight attendants handling food. 

⏳ Chapters: 

00:00 – Intro: Why Aviation Catering Actually Matters 

01:02 – Meet the Guests: Jonathan & Alexander 

03:18 – Memorable Meals & Make-or-Break Moments 

07:05 – What Makes a Great Catering Provider? 

10:42 – Gluten-Free at 40,000 Feet? The Real Struggles 

13:00 – Labeling, Allergies & High Stakes Mistakes 

17:29 – VIPs Want Fiji Water: When It’s Not Available 

20:40 – 600 Meals in 4 Hours: Catering Chaos Story 

24:48 – Mitigating Catering Risks Before Departure 

30:00 – Uber Eats, Shipday & Tech-Savvy Delivery 

34:45 – Why Packaging Can Save (or Kill) the Meal 

40:00 – Building Long-Term Catering Partnerships 

46:00 – FlightBridge & Email: Communication Gaps 

51:00 – Giving Constructive Feedback the Right Way 

53:24 – Why Presentation Can Make or Break a Flight 

57:00 – TikTok-Inspired Dishes & Catering Trends 

59:40 – Outro & Final Takeaways

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