British Airways i360 Launch Event

Last month, the British Airways i360 launched its menus, championing locally sourced ingredients and took Sussex Business Times on its first flight

On 4^th October, SBT were invited along to the British Airways i360 for its official launch of the restaurant menus and event spaces. ‘MasterChef: The Professionals’ winner, Steven Edwards championed the produce used within the delicious taster pots, which has been caught, reared and grown in the South Downs region.

The Belle Vue, named after Belle Vue Field, the former name of Regency Square in the 18^th century, is a 226-seat restaurant in the British Airways i360 beach building with extensive sea-facing terraces, designed by the attraction’s creators, Marks Barfield Architects.

We got the chance to meet British Airways i360 Head Chef, Alan Parker before being shown the extensive event space and taking our first flight on the pod itself. Alan was tutored by Michelin starred French chef Christian Tetedoie and went on to work at top restaurants including The Mirabelle in Eastbourne and The Savoy in London.

He said: “All our core ingredients, such as meat, fish, cheese and bread are sourced locally from the best farms and artisan makers, and I have my own pastry chef on site. Our goal is to create high quality food and drink that makes British Airways i360 as much a food destination as a magnificent tourist attraction.”

We also had the pleasure of chatting to Eleanor Harris, Chief Executive of British Airways i360, who said: “We believe there is a gap in the market for a destination beach-side restaurant in Brighton‎. Our vision for The Belle Vue restaurant is to serve the best of Sussex so that customers can enjoy food and drink that has been grown, reared, caught, brewed or produced in Sussex – the landscape which our visitors can enjoy at 450 feet.”