Award-winning Barber will have an advisory role for the multi-million pound investment programme which is based on what Alpha LSG chief executive Axel Bilstein is calling an ‘industry-leading premium kitchen’ concept.
The company has developed and successfully trialled this in a pilot project for British Airways at London-Gatwick.
The state-of-the-art centre currently under construction at Heston will incorporate an enhanced production and logistics centre, including a dedicated Halal area and a customer suite and centre of culinary excellence.
“We are creating an industry-leading premium service for our customers offering the kind of choice and flair not seen at London-Heathrow before,” said Bilstein.
“Chris has been brought on board to provide Alpha LSG with inspirational mentoring and training. His culinary insight and knowledge of premium food and beverage trends will be invaluable.
“He will also help the design team to ensure our customers enjoy a unique, premium experience when they visit us at Heathrow which will become the talk of the industry.”
Barber started his career as a chef at London’s Intercontinental Hotel before going on to work in the Royal Household for more than a decade, firstly as chef to the Queen and then to the Prince and Princess of Wales.
He rose through the ranks to become head chef to Prince Charles, looking after his entire catering operation. He now works extensively as a restaurant consultant and business development expert.
Said Barber: “Alpha LSG has an exciting and dynamic vision for the future of its catering operations and I’m delighted to be asked to advise them on turning their vision into reality.
They will be introducing an inspirational new premium service for their customers at Heathrow which will raise the bar in terms of culinary excellence.”
Work on the Premium Kitchen project started earlier this year with the new centre due to be completed by December and fully operational early in 2014.