RIYADH, 11 February — Saudia Catering, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Airlines, has won international awards for popularizing dates, the Kingdom's national fruit.
Saudia Catering picked up three Diamond Awards in the categories: "Date Dates" (involving 32 types of date-based preparations), development of restaurant and party services, menus and equipment and Skyteller services, which is considered to be the first of its kind in the aviation industry.
Some 250 international airlines, duty-free and terminal concessions as well as cruise-catering companies participated in the annual competition, which was sponsored by Publishing International Company of the US. Fifteen judges from 12 countries evaluated the entries. The concept was developed by Yasser Al-Fahad, project and product development manager of Saudia Catering, Riyadh.
The awards were presented to Saudi Arabian Airlines during a ceremony held in Florida, US.
Dr. Khaled Bakr, director general of Saudi Arabian Airlines, paid tribute to Saudia Catering during a visit to its Jeddah office for its role in popularizing dates. He said the company was producing 13.5 million meals annually for the national carrier and other airlines. The airline chief also praised "On Board Services Magazine" brought out by Saudia Catering.
During his visit, Dr. Bakr watched a demonstration of 32 date-based preparations, the newly developed menus and upgraded equipment for restaurant and party services as well as the Skyteller operations.
He also presented awards to seven participants in the competition -- Shawqi Mushtaq, general manager, Sky Sales; Yasser Al Fahad, project and product development manager, Riyadh; Hafedh Al-Koohaji, production manager, Riyadh; Ahmad Medani, restaurant and party services manager, Jeddah; Hussam Al-Sadah, restaurant and party services manager, Riyadh; Yasser Mufti, operations manager of Sky Sales, Jeddah; and Talal Banoun, Sky Sales, Jeddah.
