USA. Areas USA has announced the opening of Kofe Powered by Intelligentsia in Terminal 5 of Chicago O’Hare International Airport. It is the first coffee bar in T5, part of a major upgrade by Areas and its joint venture partner Robinson Hill Inc, designed to enhance food and beverage options for international travellers.
The new outlet comes as part of Westfield’s transformation of the T5 commercial offer, shifting the majority of the concession programme airside – previously 95% of concessions were landside. Kofe, along with eight other dining outposts slated to open in T5 this year, will be located past security checkpoints within “a comfortable distance” of ticketed passengers’ gates. When complete, the overhaul will bring a total of 15 new dining and retail brands.
Kofe, pronounced “coffee”, is the result of a collaboration between Areas and Chicago-based Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea Inc, which was founded in 1995 by Doug Zell and Emily Mange. Intelligentsia dispatches buying teams from its headquarters to 20 countries across East Africa, Central America, South America and Indonesia to source, develop, roast and deliver coffee and tea of the highest quality.
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Kofe, along with eight other dining outposts slated to open in T5 this year, is located past security checkpoints within “a comfortable distance” of ticketed passengers’ gates |
“Cosmopolitan travellers know good coffee from bad, and nowhere is a great cup more appreciated than when you’re far from home. Air travel isn’t only about getting to your destination; it is about enjoying the journey,” said Areas USA Vice President of Airport Operations Oscar Hernandez. “We are proud to be presenting a Chicago brand that will please even the most discerning palates coming through T5.”
“Prior to 2012, passengers couldn’t even get a hot cup of coffee after passing through T5 security,” said Westfield Executive Vice President Dominic Lowe. “With our redevelopment in high gear, we’re excited to showcase local brands and local partners in Intelligentsia and Robinson Hill. Passengers are delighting in Kofe and there is still so much more to come.”
Kofe Powered by Intelligentsia will initially showcase a Yirgacheffe coffee with notes of jasmine and lemongrass from southern Ethiopia. Heirloom varietals from other regions will rotate through Kofe in subsequent months.
“As an airport concessions operator, Kofe Powered by Intelligentsia represents the perfect blend of local focus and international flair,” said Robinson Hill Inc President Dee Robinson Reid. “Frequent international travellers will appreciate the variety and the fact that the beans, from exotic regions around the world, are ground in Chicago. Because Kofe is the only coffee retailer in T5, it is vital that the concept remain consistent and fresh. We’re not taking anything for granted.”
Kofe is a European-style standing-room bar, conceived for travellers on tight schedules. It will sell a house blend and Black Cat espresso by the cup and in 12-ounce bags. Souvenir mugs will also be available for purchase.
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A collaboration between Areas and Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea Inc, Kofe is a European-style standing-room bar, conceived for travellers on tight schedules (Photo: Chiara Ceolin) |
“We work hard to get coffee from the tree to the table as fast as possible,” said Intelligentsia Director of Communications Stephen Morrissey. “You can taste the difference in coffee harvested at its peak. We want to make that first sip transcendent for T5 travellers.”
Areas USA and Robinson Hill specialise in modernising airport concessions with options that offer more variety and healthier menu options, scouting for homegrown restaurants and talent in the cities surrounding each airport where they transform concessions. In April, the joint venture opened Tortas Frontera, the fast-casual Mexican concept from world-renowned chef Rick Bayless. It was the first new restaurant in T5 since it opened in 1993, setting the course for nine new dining introductions over the next several months.
Next on the agenda is a spinoff of Chicago’s hip trattoria Tocco – Chef Bruno Abate’s airport outpost is scheduled to open this fall. Areas USA and Robinson Hill are also working with the City Colleges of Chicago’s Washburn Culinary Institute to provide jobs for students.
“Areas USA intends to make each dining discovery in T5 a memorable treat,” Hernandez said. “We want to give these international travellers something to write home about – and to revisit on their return.”
NOTE: The Moodie Report and The Foodie Report’s third annual Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) Conference and Awards will be hosted by Dubai Airports at Atlantis, The Palm on 1-3 October. Click here for more details or email Joanna.Puckett@TheMoodieReport.com
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Atlantis, The Palm will host the highly anticipated FAB 2013 Conference and Awards | |
