CHICAGO: An old adage in English says "an approach to man's heart is through his stomach." And Air India management is determined to follow this maxim to the hilt as it wants to win the "hearts" and minds" of its passengers," said Jude Crasto, the newly appointed Air India Manager in Chicago.The occasion was a grand presentation of newly developed Air India menu for passengers leaving from Chicago, New York or Los Angeles.

"Taste the best treat on board" is the aim to make passenger feel at home even before reaching home. The cuisines prepared out of traditional Indian spices and flavors are served on board Air India flights from US gateways by its caterer Flying Food Services. Air India has now changed the meal menu on board beginning this summer.

The New Menu is planned keeping in view the fact that Indian cuisines stand apart from other world food delicacies for the 'taste and spices'. Yet it is a selection of traditional Indian and contemporary World cuisines.A presentation of New Menu items was made at the kitchen of Flying Food Services near O'Hare Airport on Wednesday afternoon. Air India consolidators and media moguls were invited to taste the new Air India cuisines served on board.

Welcoming guests and invitees, Jude Crasto, Manager, pointed out that Air India was among the few international careers whose in-flight services were excellent. Air India hopes to do one better with re-inventing its menu twice a year to suit passengers' taste and demand. He also said that the management is determined to further improve its ground services so that it would be more customer friendly.

The meal factor is an added glory attracting passengers for the national carrier, he observedHe then introduced the Flying Food Services chefs preparing the delicious Vegetarian or Non-vegetarian dishes for Air India passengers. Rumy Khariwala, Sales Manager - Midwest and Katherine Thorat, Sales Manager were also seen briefing about the New Menu.

Rumy said that Air India does take into consideration the religious beliefs of different religions while preparing its menu AI Airport Manager Radharkrishnan and Sunny Thomas and other team members from airport Chirag Patel and Chetan Patel -also joined the presentation. Radhakrishnan pointed out the utmost care that the airport staff would take to meet Air India patron's needs.

The Executive Chef David Lantorno spoke about the selection and preparation of meals for Air India passengers. He said both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes are prepared in accordance with the prevailing Indian taste. John Zupin and other chefs- Munna Lal and Eddie Reinge- also shared their expertise and told how the favorite dishes are sent on board for passengers leaving out of Chicago or New York. The chefs also answered media questions.

This reporter asked about the special meals, Jain meal or Muslims Meal or diabetic Meals? David informed that 'special meals' are served strictly in accordance with the requirements. For example, he said, Jain Meal will be just as required by Jain community - the food prepared without onion. The Muslim Meal is prepared with Halal Meat only and it is ensured that no pig product is added in preparation of entire items included in Muslim Meal menu.

Speaking about meal on Air India, they pointed out that the famous delicious cuisines included in new menu are Murg Handi Laziz, Mutton Roganjosh, King Prawn, Nawabi Navratan Shak, Matar Panir with Jeera Pulao, King Prawn Newburg and Chicken Consomme Royale, Aaloo Ghobi, Dal Makhani or steamed rice. The desert Menu has Gajar Ka Halwa or Ice Cream.

The dishes were also displayed for agents and media as presented in economy or first class on board. Chetan Patel, AI Airport supervisor added that a Certificate from the Religious authority is available for inspection on board that Muslim Meal is prepared from Halal Meat only. Jude Crasto and Rumy Khariwalla thanked all for joining the presentation.

The Air India Consolidators joining the lunch fete were, Iqbal Pagany of Travel King, Joseph from Royal Travel, Sunita Lal of All Air Lines Agency, A. Siddiqui from Evia Travel, Dipak Shah from Natraj Travel, Pallavi Patel of travel Center and Khan of Super Travel.