The 10th anniversary of FOOD ZURICH opened with a spectacular show of culinary creativity and collaboration, and gategroup was at the heart of it. As a premium supporting partner of one of Europe’s largest food festivals, gategroup brought together innovation, mentorship, and fresh talent for a one-of-a-kind gastronomic experience at The Longest Table in Switzerland.
Spanning an impressive 1.2 kilometers along the scenic Zurich lakeside, from Bellevue to Zürichhorn, the Longest Table served as the festival’s grand opening on May 24. Each 100-meter segment of the table represented one of Zurich’s 12 districts, with food and drinks provided by local restaurants, hotels, and culinary institutions.
Representing Zurich’s District 7, gategroup collaborated with 15 aspiring chefs from the Allgemeine Berufsschule Zürich (ABZH), the city’s vocational school for culinary arts. This partnership marked a continued effort to support the next generation of culinary professionals.
A Recipe for Success
The journey began weeks earlier on April 8, when gategroup and ABZH hosted an internal competition to challenge the students’ creativity and culinary expertise. The brief? Craft cold dishes inspired by Zurich’s Kreis 7. The students rose to the occasion, creating seven unique and imaginative dishes that fused modern twists with traditional Swiss flavors, all elegantly presented in picnic-style glass containers.
Under the mentorship of gategroup chefs, three standout dishes were selected for further refinement. These winning creations would eventually take center stage at FOOD ZURICH’s Long Table, served as curated picnic meals to hundreds of delighted guests.
“We were blown away by the students’ passion and innovation,” said Oliver Fischer, Director of Culinary Excellence at gategroup. “The quality and execution of their dishes at such a large-scale event were outstanding. At gategroup, we believe nurturing young talent is an investment in the future of our industry.”
Real-World Learning in a Festival Setting
For the ABZH students, the collaboration was more than just an event, it was a valuable, hands-on learning experience.
Meta Studinger, Headmistress of ABZH, reflected on the impact: “Working with gategroup gave our students a rare opportunity to step out of the classroom and into a real-world environment. They learned how to collaborate, adapt, and perform under pressure, skills essential to any successful culinary career.”
She added, “Seeing their creativity come to life at an event of this scale was both rewarding and inspiring. Experiences like this help our students see just how dynamic and versatile the culinary profession can be.”
Bringing Zurich’s Kreis 7 to Life
The district 7 table was a vibrant celebration of local culinary culture and guests enjoyed beautifully prepared picnic bags for two, perfect for a lakeside meal. The area buzzed with energy as visitors sampled the offerings, met the young chefs, and soaked in the festive atmosphere.
The success of the day was also thanks to the support of local partners, including ZFV-Unternehmungen, Confiserie Honold, Universitätsspital Zürich, Wirtschaft Degenried, and Zoo Restaurants. Their contributions added depth and variety to the experience, showcasing the strong community spirit that defines Zurich’s culinary scene.
Looking Ahead
gategroup’s involvement in FOOD ZURICH continues beyond the Long Table event, with over 100 culinary happenings scheduled across the city from June 12 to 22. As a premium partner, gategroup is excited to keep the momentum going, sharing its passion for food, innovation, and talent development with a wider audience.
Whether it’s mentoring future chefs, crafting exceptional in-flight meals, or collaborating with the best of Zurich’s culinary community, gategroup remains committed to celebrating food and the people who make it extraordinary.
About gategroup
gategroup is the global leader in airline catering, retail-on-board and hospitality products and services. gategroup provides passengers with superior culinary and retail experiences, leveraging innovation and advanced technology solutions. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, gategroup delivers operational excellence through the most extensive catering network in the aviation industry, serving passengers from over 200 operating units in over 60 countries/territories across all continents. For further information, please visit: www.gategroup.com
