ITALY. Dufry Group has opened the first elements in a food hall at Palermo Falcone Borsellino International Airport with a casual dining concept headed by two-star Michelin chef Ciccio Sultano.
The travel retailer is introducing three casual, street food spaces to the airside food hall, with Chef Sultano’s latest I Banchi restaurant – a mix of street food and fine dining – being the first.
In April, Dufry introduced 160-year-old Palermo patisserie and confectioner’s Spinnato to the airport alongside Autogrill’s climate-friendly coffee concept Wascoffee Lab which carries furniture made from recycled coffee grinds and biodegradable cups.
The retail to dining will continue to expand its presence in the airport food hall, with more local-inspired concepts expected to be introduced towards the end of the year.
“We are further consolidating our presence within Palermo Airport, responding to a very specific need, combining the international vocation of the airport with our knowledge of the territory and with special attention to the enhancement of the local food and wine heritage”, commented Luca D’Alba, General Manager of Autogrill Italy. “We have selected well-known local brands and brought Sicilian culinary excellence to the airport, to offer passengers in transit a great variety of typical traditional dishes.”
Chef Sultano describes his new eatery as “educated cuisine.” Famous for his two-star restaurant Duomo in southern Italy’s Ragusa Ibla, his airport outpost will offer a modern and less formal interpretation of a traditional trattoria.
Spinnato, founded in 1860, is a meeting place that has become part of the tapestry of Palermo’s gastronomic scene over the years. Like the original Spinnato, found in the heart of Sicily’s capital, the airport cafe offers Sicily’s best-loved treats from crispy cannoli to ice-dusted almond biscuits. ✈
Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining. Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com to subscribe.
