Sahrawat’s menu highlights New Zealand’s finest ingredients while incorporating his Indian heritage. Each dish has been carefully designed to maintain its quality and flavours at high altitudes, a challenge that requires precision and expertise in balancing textures and seasoning.
The menu starts with a refined appetiser, Poached Crayfish with Corn and Spring Onion Hash, paired with macadamia nuts for a subtle crunch and finished with a tangy wasabi mayo that enhances the delicate sweetness of the crayfish. Another standout starter includes New Zealand Smoked King Salmon with Cucumber and Cashew Salad, complemented by a sriracha chili dressing for a slight kick.

For mains, passengers can indulge in the Canterbury lamb rack with roasted kūmara and korma sauce, where locally sourced lamb is cooked to perfection, paired with the natural sweetness of roasted kūmara and a rich coconut-based korma sauce infused with warm spices like coriander and garam masala. My personal favourite was the roasted snapper with bok choy in makhani Sauce, a dish featuring tender fish nestled in a velvety tomato and cashew sauce with enoki mushrooms and crisp bok choy, garnished with almond flakes and fresh coriander.

No meal is complete without a decadent dessert, and Sahrawat ensures a memorable finale with his Csassic pavlova with salt baked pineapple, an elevated version of the Kiwi classic. The crisp-yet-pillowy meringue is paired with passionfruit custard, fresh kiwi fruit and freeze-dried yuzu flakes for a vibrant citrus contrast. Another indulgent option is the coffee panna cotta with chocolate custard and chocolate soil, served with fresh strawberries and raspberries—an ideal choice for chocolate and coffee lovers alike.

I’ve had the pleasure of dining at The French Café, where Sahrawat is the head chef. It was for my first-ever brand event back in 2023, making his food forever special to me. His ability to craft dishes that are both comforting and innovative is unmatched, and it’s exciting to see his talent now reaching travellers worldwide.