Author Topic: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?  (Read 36069 times)

Offline Jo 08701

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Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #60 on: May 09, 2018, 10:47:30 AM »
What company meal?
Borenstein, the expired label was on a package from regal meal, which was the hot portion of the meal.
I guess IAD-LHR is not a common market for frum people, and the stuff was sitting at the caterer at IAD from pesach, but that does not explain the expired food.
For breakfast they didn't even served it, and just brought fruit from first class. they were constantly apologizing for the mistake.

Offline theyankel

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Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #61 on: May 09, 2018, 10:49:01 AM »
That was a punishment for flying Y to HKG. As a DDFER we expect better 😀

Joke aside. I agree with you 100%. We have organizations for everything. Why isn't there an organization that caters an abundance of food for the hungry Jews? Or at least charge airlines cost price.
i'm not sure that i totally agree with this statement. most, or at least a significant majority, if not all members here costs the airlines money by using points/miles for the ticket. not that there is something wrong with that but the fierce competition is the cause for continuous devaluations. it would take a very sizeable financial investment to cater to specific special meals when airlines offer kosher, halal, gluten free, vegan, etc... they wouldnt be able so fond of having to do it for all...
they obviously find that all special meals are probably not as closely scrutinized and therefore dont care enough. it is also likely very difficult to prioritize ksml when the requests are likely sporadic and inconsistent. it is probable that say iad-fra on LH is not a frequently traveled ksml request. or cx bos-hkg. or even nyc-tokyo or any other far flung asian destination on any of the airlines that we try to use points on for their hard product. my thought process is to first research what the request history looks like across the entire route network of a specific airline and then work the way up, at least on a specific route.

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Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #62 on: May 09, 2018, 10:59:24 AM »
i'm not sure that i totally agree with this statement. most, or at least a significant majority, if not all members here costs the airlines money by using points/miles for the ticket. not that there is something wrong with that but the fierce competition is the cause for continuous devaluations. it would take a very sizeable financial investment to cater to specific special meals when airlines offer kosher, halal, gluten free, vegan, etc... they wouldnt be able so fond of having to do it for all...
they obviously find that all special meals are probably not as closely scrutinized and therefore dont care enough. it is also likely very difficult to prioritize ksml when the requests are likely sporadic and inconsistent. it is probable that say iad-fra on LH is not a frequently traveled ksml request. or cx bos-hkg. or even nyc-tokyo or any other far flung asian destination on any of the airlines that we try to use points on for their hard product. my thought process is to first research what the request history looks like across the entire route network of a specific airline and then work the way up, at least on a specific route.
Why do you think they don't make money when we use points?
Feelings don't care about your facts

Offline moko

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Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #63 on: May 09, 2018, 01:44:35 PM »
an aa flight attendant once told me (a few years ago) that ksml costs them $25 on average. not sure how she knew and dont remember details as i was less affluent traveler back then but nonetheless, that stuck out and every time i order ksml, i remember it. so i try to  find the good in the meal so i dont feel guilty ordering and having it go to garbage...
on a separate note, b6 also uses borenstein and the meals are significantly superior to other carriers. its all about what the airlines order from the caterer
I can only speak to the facts I was privy to. On the other hand. Check out this article. It includes all culinary costs not just the actual meal https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cntraveler.com/stories/2015-10-28/steaks-on-a-plane-which-us-airline-spends-the-most-on-dinner/amp

Offline yuneeq

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Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #64 on: May 14, 2018, 04:27:28 PM »
Inspired by DDMS post, finally complained to CX.

Hi,

I would like to complain about the Kosher meal that I received on the Cathay flight from EWR-HKG. It came from Borenstein caterers, and it was absolutely disgusting. Throughout the 16 hour flight I was hungry because the food was so terrible. 2nd, the flight attendant notified me that they forgot to bring me a dinner meal, so they served me the nasty breakfast twice. As a premium economy customer, I believe that I deserved far better than that dog food that I received.

In contrast to this terrible experience, on my return flight from HKG-EWR, I was served food from Hermolis catering, and the food was actually delicious. It was 1000x better than the dog food I was served on the inbound flight.

Please pass on this feedback to whoever is in charge of ordering the Kosher meals. There is no reason that your valued customers should be tortured from Borenstein's terrible "food", when Hermolis catering offers an excellent alternative option.

Thanks,
Visibly Jewish

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #65 on: May 15, 2018, 07:46:34 PM »
Great DDMS post. Maybe it will grab some attention and bring change.

Offline mrprez27

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Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #66 on: May 15, 2018, 07:57:16 PM »
LY.
I assumed Mr. Bornstein - Elal owns bornsteins?

I wonder if all of this may be Lashon Hara?

Offline Dan

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Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #67 on: May 16, 2018, 02:09:17 AM »
Inspired by DDMS post, finally complained to CX.

Hi,

I would like to complain about the Kosher meal that I received on the Cathay flight from EWR-HKG. It came from Borenstein caterers, and it was absolutely disgusting. Throughout the 16 hour flight I was hungry because the food was so terrible. 2nd, the flight attendant notified me that they forgot to bring me a dinner meal, so they served me the nasty breakfast twice. As a premium economy customer, I believe that I deserved far better than that dog food that I received.

In contrast to this terrible experience, on my return flight from HKG-EWR, I was served food from Hermolis catering, and the food was actually delicious. It was 1000x better than the dog food I was served on the inbound flight.

Please pass on this feedback to whoever is in charge of ordering the Kosher meals. There is no reason that your valued customers should be tortured from Borenstein's terrible "food", when Hermolis catering offers an excellent alternative option.

Thanks,
Nice. Post a comment on DDMS.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Dan

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Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #68 on: May 16, 2018, 02:09:44 AM »
I assumed Mr. Bornstein - Elal owns bornsteins?

I wonder if all of this may be Lashon Hara?
Definite toeles if the other option is going hungry.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline yuneeq

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Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #69 on: May 16, 2018, 09:43:37 AM »
Definite toeles if the other option is going hungry.

I don’t think Borensteins will ever change, but if we can push for airlines to use caterers we do like, then there’s a chance things will get better.
Visibly Jewish

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Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #70 on: May 16, 2018, 10:18:54 AM »
I don’t think Borensteins will ever change, but if we can push for airlines to use caterers we do like, then there’s a chance things will get better.
Why wouldn't they if their customers demand it?
Feelings don't care about your facts

Offline shaulyaakov

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Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #71 on: May 16, 2018, 11:07:31 AM »
I've never had a specific issue with Borenstein - it's the same food as the food on Elal ex NYC- which is by no means delicious, but is certainly edible. Even the SKML on Elal is edible, except the "mezonos" roll. Maybe there's an issue with the handling of the meal. There's no reason it should arrive frozen. Contrast that to some of the terrible meals ex-Europe, and I'll take a Borenstein meal. 

Offline yuneeq

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Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #72 on: May 16, 2018, 12:12:10 PM »
Why wouldn't they if their customers demand it?

Choose:
-Money, money, money
-Old habits die hard.
-Israelis don't care about customers.
-They make it better and it still sucks.

Or you can simply notify the airlines about other caterers are far, far better, some of which they already order from.
Visibly Jewish

Offline ajs625

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Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #73 on: May 16, 2018, 12:44:50 PM »
I've never had a specific issue with Borenstein - it's the same food as the food on Elal ex NYC- which is by no means delicious, but is certainly edible. Even the SKML on Elal is edible, except the "mezonos" roll. Maybe there's an issue with the handling of the meal. There's no reason it should arrive frozen. Contrast that to some of the terrible meals ex-Europe, and I'll take a Borenstein meal.

I believe ElAl has an ownership interest in Borenstein Caterers. Hence, the reason the food is the same as ElAl as well as why the food is not good.

Offline ExGingi

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Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #74 on: May 16, 2018, 02:11:17 PM »
Why wouldn't they if their customers demand it?

Ask the same question about all changes that one might want to see from ELAL.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #75 on: May 16, 2018, 02:19:03 PM »
Ask the same question about all changes that one might want to see from ELAL.
The customers don't demand it from them.
Feelings don't care about your facts

Offline ExGingi

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Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #76 on: May 16, 2018, 02:26:58 PM »
The customers don't demand it from them.
Customers don't want better service?

Customers don't want a better mileage program?
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

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Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #77 on: May 16, 2018, 02:32:16 PM »
Customers don't want better service?

Customers don't want a better mileage program?
Keyword demand
Feelings don't care about your facts

Offline ExGingi

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Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #78 on: May 16, 2018, 04:37:10 PM »
Why wouldn't they if their customers demand it?
Are you referring to the airlines as customers, or to the end users?
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

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Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #79 on: May 16, 2018, 04:54:13 PM »
Are you referring to the airlines as customers, or to the end users?
The airlines.
Feelings don't care about your facts