LUNCHEONS IN THE AIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18025, 25 February 1922, Page 8 (Supplement)

LUNCHEONS IN THE AIR.

BETWEEN PARIS AND LONDON. Two luncheon patties in mid-air, each with a London hotel waiter to serve the 'meal, were held at Christmas time in aeroplanes on the London-Pan's service' One of the machines was a Goliath flying to London and the other a HandleyPage going to Paris. A few days previously the manager of *he Grands Express Aeriens asked the restaurant manager at the Savoy if one of his best waiters would volunteer to sorvß at b flying banquet which he intewfied to share with a party of friends. ML Louis Volant, a young waiter whose name in French means "flying," volunteered, and since he had served with the manager in the trenches in the same regiment in the French Army his services were particularly welcome. Just after noon, a Goliath, with' several passengers, including M. Volant, on board, rose from Le Bourget, and then the flying waiter began to lay the labie and to get ready, the repast. As tho aeroplane roared on through the air the parly sat down to an excellent luncheon consisting of hor« d'oeuvre, cold consomme, turkey, Christmas puddmg, dessert, and champagne. A spirit lamp was used to heat the turney and Christmas pudding. For the luncheon in the Handlev-Pago machino tho waiter was a young Englishman, Mr. Mason, of the Victoria Hotel, whose chef prepared the meal. Like M. Volant, he wore waiter's dress. The menu consisted of cavaire, clear soup, • turkey, salado Victoria, Christmas pudding, mince-pies, champagne, and coffee. To complete tho Christmas atmosphere of the journey a Christmas tree, shining with electric lights, was set up in the saloon of the aeroplane, and the passengers received presents.