Top chef Onno Kokmeijer
Onno Kokmeijer created all the meals that will be served in World Business Class during the festival. Onno is Executive Chef & Manager of the Ciel Bleu restaurant at Hotel Okura in Amsterdam.

Flowers for sale on board
KLM will be the first Dutch airline to sell fresh cut flowers on board. The flowers are supplied by Frederique’s Choice, a company founded by one of the Netherlands’ first top models Frederique van der Wal. The flowers, orange roses, are produced by a Dutch cultivator using sustainable methods. Frederique will also be onboard the flight to Curaçao which will launch the Festival.

Delftware proverbs
During the festival, all serviettes, headrest covers, coffee cups and even a retro peppermint tin for World Business Class passengers will be decorated with typical Dutch proverbs in Delftware style. The placemats in Economy Class are decorated with images of paintings that are on display in the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum.

The meals served in European Business Class will also consists of ingredients sourced locally. Passengers will be able to enjoy Dutch films, music and other programmes via the Inflight Entertainment System.

KLM’s environmental policy aims to ensure biodiversity and animal welfare. KLM serves sustainable, MSC-certified fish that is on the green list of the Good Fish Guide published by the North Sea Foundation and WNF.
On flights out of Amsterdam, KLM serves Beter Leven certified veal (if it is on the menu), and on flights out of the United States, we serve so-called “cage-free” omelettes.

KLM also serves organically produced milk and Caring Dairy cheese on board and, from 2010, began serving Beter Leven certified cold cuts.

‘From Holland’ festival
In October and November, all passengers flying KLM out of Schiphol will experience the “From Holland” festival. This is the third year that we turn the spotlight to local produce and Dutch handicrafts.

The meals will include produce from Dutch farmers and other suppliers. The meals will also feature vegetables and fruit that are in season.

Seasonal produce is better for the environment because it can be processed immediately, which means it does not have to be stored or cooled for lengthy periods. This coincides closely with KLM’s Corporate Social Responsibility policy, and this produce comes with the added advantage that it is cultivated on Dutch soil and that it is very fresh. With this festival, KLM celebrates its typically Dutch roots and underscores the importance of sustainable catering.
 

KLM’s Dutch roots are also a central theme in the From Holland Festival. In October and November, passengers on all flights originating in Amsterdam can enjoy products and articles with a Dutch touch.

The starters, main courses and desserts served in World Business Class were created by the successful chef Mario Ridder of the two-star restaurant De Zwethheul in Schipluiden near Delft. Aside from wines grown in the Netherlands or created abroad, passengers will also have the chance to sample a variety of Dutch snacks such as kroketten, poffertjes and cheese cubes. The Economy Class menu includes meatballs with mashed potatoes, white beans and French beans. Dutch films will also be available on the inflight entertainment system.

And, during the first month, all passengers can send home a picture postcard designed by the Dutch duo BLOND. KLM will send the cards with the help of PostNL.

“KLM is once again proud to be working with one of the Netherlands’ most successful chefs. Mario Ridder is the latest in a series of great chefs to create meals for KLM; other names include Sergio Herman and Jonnie Boer,” said Erik Varwijk, Executive Vice President KLM Commercial.

Passengers travelling in World Business Class (WBC) on KLM’s intercontinental flights operated out of Amsterdam will be treated to meals created by master chef Wilco Berends of the De Nederlanden Restaurant in Vreeland. Berends is well known for his exceptional culinary creations, originating from a kitchen crowned with a Michelin star. The salt and pepper sets in WBC will be miniature pairs of wooden clogs – a famous symbol of the Netherlands.

Typically Dutch meals will also be served in Economy Class. The menu features several dishes including red cabbage with beef casserole and a delicious Indonesian meal highlighting Dutch heritage.

The festival will also include European flights for the first time this year. Blond Amsterdam designed a cheerful ‘From Holland with love’ packaging concept for the sandwiches.

Dutch wines

KLM will also be serving Dutch wines on board. Wijnhoeve De Kleine Schorre located in Zeeland will be supplying wines for the ‘From Holland’ festival. With vineyards of ten hectares in size, it is clearly the biggest in the country. The Achterhoekse Wijnbouwers winegrowers will also be supplying wines. According to the Dutch inspection services, these winegrowers have achieved excellent results in recent years with various white and red wines and rosés. What’s more, KLM will be offering wines produced by Dutch cellars abroad.

During the flight, passengers can sit back and enjoy Dutch films, music and programmes available via their Inflight Entertainment Systems.

“We transport many passengers of different nationalities every day. We opted for the ‘Holland’ theme this time round so that passengers have an opportunity to experience KLM’s Dutch character during their journey. Dutch cuisine and Dutch wines are surprising and boast a high level of quality. We are proud to be able to offer them to our passengers during the ‘From Holland’ festival,” said Erik Varwijk, Executive Vice President International & the Netherlands.