Gordon Ramsay Plane Food at Heathrow Terminal 5 has been relaunched as Plane Food Market, Nick went along to see what it’s all about and also meet the man himself

it’s really a very odd thing to go to an airport departure lounge and not intend to fly. The Heathrow Express got me there in fifteen minutes, but it took an age to get through the Terminal 5 staff security system and be allowed into departures. Understandable of course in this secure age.

It was interesting though, a bit like going backstage at a theatre, all the fancy glamour is on the public side, the rest is bare, cold, corridors, lots of wires and busy people.

Popping out finally ‘airside’ like a rabbit from a hole, I hurried to Plane Food Market which originally opened in 2008. Now Gordon Ramsay Restaurants Global has brought together some of the brand’s most popular restaurants into one space.

I grazed on samples from every restaurant, including Lucky Cat Asian inspired favourites such as Nigiri, Spicy Tuna Roll, Bonito Fried Duck Leg Bao, some classically British, Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips with cod and chips and the Shrimp Combo, paired with signature sauces like curry and mango or sriracha aioli. All very nice, great batter and top chips.

Street Burger serves his Classic Smash, and Chilli Cheese Smash burgers, while Street Pizza has the Beef Short Rib, Idiot Pizza and the Vegan ’Nduja. I tried some Hotter Than Hell Wings which were scalding enough to make me burst out with my own F**ing Hell!, a la Gordon, although you can choose your heat level.

The idea is that single diners, business travellers and families can grab a quick bite, sitting down for a relaxed meal, or enjoy a drink at the bar. There’s also a grab and go counter for those in a hurry who want to take something tasty onto the plane to avoid the often unpalatable short haul options on board, and some seating for guests with time to unwind.

Most of the Plane Food classics for breakfast, lunch and dinner are still on the menu serving all day, including the Full English Breakfast, Butter Chicken Curry, and the infamous Idiot Sandwich..

The man himself soon made an appearance and we were introduced to him one at a time as if he was royalty, which in some ways I suppose he is. He’s a lot more genial than his TV appearances suggest, and I was impressed how he seemed to know a bit of information about everyone he met.

Either he was well briefed or he had a secret earpiece under that extraordinary hair that was feeding him info. I did try and have a look, but he also has a minder who gave me the ‘eye’ when he saw me peering. And yes I did get a selfie with Gordon, despite assuring myself on the train that I wasn’t going to be so crass. I mean it’s Gordon, innit, I had to..

One thing you can always say about GR is that he demands and maintains very high standards in all his restaurants, whether at the Savoy feeding the elite, or at T5 feeding the holidaymakers.

Plane Food Market is very well done and a far more interesting option than the usual Meal Deals or Cold ‘n’ Wet sandwiches. They also guarantee to get the food on your plate in short order, to avoid that sense of ‘will I miss my plane’, a syndrome that I always suffer from.

On the Heathrow Express back to town I enjoyed some rolled sushi I’d saved for the journey, much to the delight of my fellow passengers, and sent the picture of me and GR to everyone I know. Comments were many and various, and quite a few were unrepeatable. There’s no doubt he is a character who attracts good and bad opinions, but I like him and his Plane Food Market should ‘rotate’ easily.

www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com

Plane Food Market Information Opening Times

Monday to Sunday 5 a.m – 21:30 p.m

Heathrow Airport,

Terminal 5,

Western Perimeter Rd,

London TW6 2GA