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Chicago’s rich culinary scene took center stage once again at O’Hare International Airport during this year’s award-winning JBF@ORD chef series. Travelers to ORD had the chance to meet James Beard Foundation-recognized chefs Rick Bayless, Carlos Gaytán, Yanitzin “Yanni” Sanchez, and Juan Gutierrez, experiencing their talent through food tastings, book signings, live demonstrations, and interviews. Check out some of the highlights from this year’s premiere event. Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) - O'Hare & Midway International Airports

Today Avolta published the company’s results for the first half of 2025. In North America, we are proud of our numerous new contracts and openings in the first half, and having celebrated receiving prestigious awards that emphasize our industry leadership in travel food & beverage.   Highlights include:   ✈️ We announced two new contracts at JFK — in Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 — to enhance the sense of place through new dining options that offer local relevance and global appeal, including Eataly’s first locations in a U.S. airport. 🏆 HMSHost dominated Newsweek’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards for “Best Full-Service Airport Restaurant” with six restaurants named among the top 10. 🌟 Airport Experience News named us “Best Overall Restaurateur” among large operators at the 2025 AX Awards, recognizing our excellence in operations, customer service, creativity, food quality, and marketing. 📱 The Moodie Davitt Report recognized Club Avolta as the “Airport Food & Beverage Digital Initiative of the Year” at the The Airport F&B + Hospitality Conference & Awards (FAB), demonstrating the app’s value proposition for travelers and our airport partners. 🍽️ We opened new restaurants in markets throughout the U.S. and Canada!   We extend our gratitude to our thousands of team members, who go above and beyond for travelers every day, and to our airport partners for their continued collaboration to make the journey as exciting as the destination for passengers. 

A new bar at LAS? It’s Vegas, baby! We recently welcomed Vegas Baby to Terminal 1 at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS). Travelers can relax in the 23-seat venue and sip on a variety of top shelf spirits, wine, and beer. Inspired by the locally distilled Vegas Baby Vodka—which uses non-GMO gluten free corn and water from the Rocky Mountains—travelers can sample cocktails that feature the brand’s namesake, like the Blood Orange Sunset, Morning Mule, and Strawberry Lemonade Spritz. Also featured on the menu are drinks like the Hayden Old Fashioned and the Mezcal Mango Margarita, among many others to choose from. Thank you to LAS for our continued collaboration to bring new venues that feature local brands and a piece of the city into the airport! Anthony Alessi

We're growing at DFW! ✈️ Under a new 10-year contract, we'll soon bring three new dining options to Terminals B and C of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The new restaurants will represent several firsts: the DFW debut for Dallas-based Velvet Taco and La La Land Kind Cafe, as well as the first U.S. airport location for Nekter Juice Bar. It's part of the airport's historic $12-billion capital plan — DFW Forward — which is underway and set to transform the customer experience and plan for the future with monumental expansions and upgrades across the airport. “We share DFW’s vision to create a traveler-centric experience through an enhanced food and beverage offering, and we are grateful to have been awarded the opportunity to be a part of this journey,” said Steven Johnson, President and CEO, North America, Avolta. “Visitors to DFW come from around the world, so we very thoughtfully partnered with brands that will appeal to the vast tastes and preferences of these travelers. They also contribute to creating a unique culinary experience at DFW that will excite guests — making them happier along their journey.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/eYQEWsPe

Cheers to Indiana Fever star Lexie Hull, who surprised travelers at Indianapolis International Airport during a complimentary La Crema wine tasting at the Pacers Courtside Club, just days before this year’s WNBA All Star Weekend. Travelers were able to sample award-winning wines from La Crema, the official wine partner of the WNBA. 🍷 Indianapolis Airport Authority La Crema Winery

✈️ Get ready for an exciting, new dining experience at San Antonio International Airport (SAT), showcasing the flavors, flair, and culture of the community through partnerships with even more of San Antonio's most renowned chefs! Today we announce a new 10-year contract and additional five-year lease extension that will allow us to bring 14 new dining concepts to Terminals A and B and continue serving travelers at a long-time favorite, La Gloria. This is a significant expansion of our culinary partnership with Chef Johnny Hernandez that began in 2012 and will transform the journey through SAT. “Every few years, an opportunity presents itself to transform the experience at an airport — and this is certainly one of those opportunities,” said Steven Johnson, President and CEO, North America, Avolta. “We are proud to be a part of the evolution of San Antonio International Airport and to collaborate with such an exceptional group of chef partners that reflect the culinary diversity of the city. Our hope is that through this elevated concessions program, travelers will choose to fly through or to SAT because the food experience makes their journey as exciting as the destination.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/ebSSKCsk Anthony Alessi

Shake Shack at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) was the talk of the terminal during National Fry Day — because who doesn’t like french fries? 🍟 Our team at LGA made sure that travelers and airport employees who stopped by Shake Shack joined in the celebration for this travel staple. The event drew large crowds and smiles, as travelers sampled Shake Shack’s popular golden crinkle cut fries along with one of its delicious drinks.    Thank you to Shake Shack and LaGuardia Gateway Partners for our continued collaboration to bring unique events to LGA! And a special “SHOUTOUT” to our HMSHost team for going above and beyond to create an elevated experience for travelers that made the journey through the airport a memorable one!

Lights. Camera. ACTION! We're sharing a look behind-the-scenes from our 2024 Avolta Hall of Fame celebration! 👀 🎉 Our winners from across the U.S. and Canada arrived in a limo and were welcomed by our North America President & CEO Steven Johnson along with our executive team. As they walked the red carpet, dozens more excited team members based at our North America Support Center in Maryland gave them a deserving standing ovation for all they've accomplished. And there were countless more colleagues cheering them on from travel venues near and far during the livestreamed event. Congratulations again to our 2024 Avolta Hall of Fame inductees from HMSHost, Hudson, and Dufry! Every day, you put the traveler and each other at the center of all you do — and we thank you.

The results are in! Travel + Leisure Co. announced its annual list of readers' favorite U.S. airports as part of its World's Best Awards 2025, and we are proud to partner with so many of the top 10 to make the journey as exciting as the destination for travelers. ✈️ Nearly 180,000 readers rated domestic airports in several areas of the passenger experience, including restaurants, bars, and shopping. Congratulations to our airport partners! ✈️ Portland International Airport (Port of Portland) ✈️ Indianapolis International Airport (Indianapolis Airport Authority) ✈️ Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (Metropolitan Airports Commission) ✈️ Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Wayne County Airport Authority) ✈️ Tampa International Airport (TPA) ✈️ Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport Read more: https://lnkd.in/d5YVjNQA

The James Beard Foundation Awards have long been known as the "Oscars of the food world," recognizing exceptional talent and achievement. And at this year's post-event reception, attended by hundreds of chefs, restaurateurs, and food lovers from across the U.S., a dish by our very own Chef Jeffrey Steelman was named among one of the best afterparty eats! Representing Wicker Park Seafood & Sushi Bar at O'Hare International Airport, Chef Jeff and team presented a beautiful and delectable bite of Ora King salmon and Hamachi served with watermelon, yuzu, and chili crisp. As a long-time partner of the James Beard Awards, it was a pleasure to once again be a part of this spectacular event, and we extend our congratulations to each of this year's winners. We are proud to have partnered with so many winners and nominees through the years to make the journey through North America's airports just as exciting as the destination. Read more from WBEZ Chicago: https://lnkd.in/eAM3yG5e 📽️ The James Beard Foundation Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) - O'Hare & Midway International Airports