Indulging in luxury food experiences is about more than just eating; it’s a journey into culinary tradition and artistry and a true celebration of good food. From Michelin-starred restaurants and private dining experiences to hands-on cooking classes with professional chefs, here are 7 of the most remarkable luxury food experiences you can enjoy when you travel with Luxury Gold.

Michelin-starred lunch at L’Antic Moli, Spain

Photo credit: @lanticmoli on Instagram

Michelin stars are the gold standard in luxury food experiences, and you’ll indulge in a Michelin-starred lunch at L’Antic Moli in Ulldecona, Spain. The restaurant embraces contemporary, gourmet cuisine and follows the rhythms of the seasons from locally sourced ingredients. Not only has L’Antic Moli been awarded a prestigious Michelin Star annually from 2017 to 2023, but it’s also been awarded the Green Michelin Star annually from 2021 to 2023, in recognition of its commitment to sustainable gastronomy. The chefs at L’Antic Moli artfully combine traditional flavors with innovative techniques, creating a feast not just for the palate but also for the eyes. 

Experience it on: Spain & Portugal in Style

We think you’ll also like: What to expect when dining at a Michelin starred restaurant

Private sushi-making class in Tokyo, Japan

Take part in a private sushi-making class with a master sushi chef in Tokyo, and discover the intricacies of this 2,000-year-old Japanese art. It takes ten years to become a master sushi chef, and you’ll uncover the secrets behind mastering this iconic Japanese dish. The experience is not just about learning the techniques, but understanding the philosophy and precision that define sushi-making. After the class, you’ll get to indulge in the creations and marvel at the chef’s culinary brilliance, with every slice of fish and perfectly prepared rice showcasing the mastery of sushi art. 

Experience it on: Majestic Japan

We think you’ll also like: Tokyo’s Finest: Uncover the City’s Top 8 Fine Dining Restaurants

Oyster tasting on the Adriatic Sea, Croatia

If you love fresh seafood, you’ll adore this luxury food experience. We’ll journey to Mali Ston, a picturesque fishing village on the Pelješac peninsula of Croatia, renowned for its oysters. Here you can savor the taste of freshly harvested oysters, plucked straight from the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. These oysters are known for their unique flavor, a result of the pristine marine environment they grow in. Enjoy the oysters raw, with a squeeze of lemon and a glass of local white wine, all while admiring the charming village with its ancient stone buildings and tranquil coastline. 

Experience it on: Croatia & the Dalmatian Coast

We think you’ll also like: Where to Find the Most Rare & Expensive Food in the World

Mixology class in Mississippi, United States

Get immersed in a unique blend of history and gastronomy at the Dunleith Historic Inn, a National Historic Landmark built in 1855 and the only pre-Civil War mansion in Mississippi. You’ll join the Bar Manager at Castle Pub for a private mixology class, where you’ll learn to craft two seasonal cocktails. This hands-on session will show you the ingredients and finesse of cocktail creation, but also share the history and stories behind each drink. After the demonstration, you’ll get to relax in the historic inn while sipping on the delicious cocktails you’ve just learned how to make.

Experience it on: Southern Grace

We think you’ll also like: Our Favorite Classic Cocktails, and the Timeless Hotels To Try Them At

Tuscan lunch and cooking class, Italy

Photo credit: @visittuscany on Instagram

Delve into the heart of Tuscan cuisine with a unique culinary experience in the forming hunting lodge of the powerful Medici family. Built between the 15th and 17th centuries, the stunning villa and estate has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013. 

You’ll meet a professional Italian chef and stroll through the estate’s vegetable and herb garden, where you’ll handpick your fresh ingredients. Then head to the kitchens to learn how to hand-roll your own fresh pasta. As you indulge in your culinary creations for lunch, surrounded by the ancient frescoes and sculptures of the villa, you’ll take a journey through both taste and time. 

Experience it on: Ultimate Italy 

We think you’ll also like: 7 ways you’ll celebrate Tuscan food when you travel with Luxury Gold

Vietnamese cooking class and lunch, Hoi An

This is one of our most incredible luxury food experiences, set in the dense coconut jungles near Hoi An in central Vietnam. We’ll first visit Cam Thanh Village, once a shelter for local people and soldiers during the Vietnam War, and today a critical supplier of rice, vegetables and seafood. You’ll step into a traditional bamboo-basket boat and float down the river to Thanh Dong village, where you’ll meet farms and learn how they grow and harvest vegetables and herbs. We’ll continue our voyage through the beautiful coconut forest to a riverside restaurant overlooking the emerald rice fields. Here you’ll meet a local chef and enjoy a hands-on cooking class, before indulging in your delicious creations for lunch. 

Experience it on: Spirit of Vietnam

We think you’ll also like: Fine dining, dressed down: the cuisine of Vietnam and Cambodia

Delhi food tour with a local chef, India

Dive into the vibrant culinary scene of Delhi with a Foodie Walk guided by a local chef. You’ll explore the bustling city streets and aromatic markets, with the chef introducing you to a range of Indian delicacies. From sizzling street snacks to sweet treats, you’ll experience firsthand the diversity of Indian cuisine and its rich heritage. Learn about the intricate balance of spices and how the combination of flavors can transform a dish. Meet the local stallholders and gain insight into the traditional cooking methods and ingredients that make Indian cuisine so spectacular. 

Experience it on: Imperial Rajasthan

We think you’ll also like: A Journey of Flavor: The Mastery of India’s Michelin Star Chefs

You may have had a Michelin-starred meal – but have you had one in the sky? Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific is taking luxury gourmet dining to new heights by delivering Michelin star dining on flights out of Hong Kong. 

A Michelin star home base

Cathay Pacific’s home city of Hong Kong is one of the hottest culinary spots in the world. It may be a tiny country, but it boasts an impressive array of Michelin star restaurants, with 71 restaurants receiving Michelin stars in 2022 alone. You’ll find a delicious blend of Cantonese and South East Asian flavors from the bustling streets to the tops of skyscrapers. But now Cathay Pacific is turning Michelin star dining all the way up – to 30,000 feet. 

Read more: What to expect when dining at a Michelin starred restaurant

@cathaypacific

A gastronomic partnership

Cathay Pacific wanted to create an exquisite gourmet in-flight meal that captures the essence of the Hong Kong culinary scene. They partnered with Michelin star Hong Kong-based restaurant Duddell’s to bring the vision to life. The collaboration produced an exclusive menu of traditional flavors that celebrates Hong Kong’s bubbling culinary scene. Duddell’s is renowned for their stunning Cantonese cuisine and handcrafted dim sums, so excitement is brewing over its newly curated, sky-high menu. 

Read more: 5 Michelin Star chefs celebrating local culture through food

How can I experience Michelin star dining in the air?

The Duddell’s x Cathay Pacific menu is now available to First class and Business class passengers on long-haul Cathay Pacific flights departing from Hong Kong to all destinations (excluding Tel Aviv and Dubai). It will be available throughout the year. If you’d like to experience this one-of-a-kind culinary affair, be sure to secure your seats soon.  

Read more: Meet the Michelin star chef putting his stamp on the Orient-Express menu

@cathaypacific

What’s on the Michelin star menu?

Guests will be served three luxurious courses during the flight: appetizer, main and dessert. First Class passengers have a choice of chilled abalone and cucumber with black vinegar, or lettuce-wrapped minced pork with vegetables, sweet pomelo and prawn crackers. For mains, First Class guests make the mouthwatering choice between premium Iberico pork belly in a sweet, sticky soy glaze or wok-fried lobster seasoned in ginger with white pepper sauce and fluffy rice. The meal is topped off with chrysanthemum and longan jelly, a spin on two traditional elements in Chinese medicine. 

Business Class passengers have a tantalizing choice of drunken prawns in aged Huadiao wine or chicken and jellyfish salad with sesame dressing. The main course delivers steamed halibut with cordycep flowers, aged mandarin peel, and preserved black olives, served with a sour rice noodle soup with barramundi and pickled mustard greens. For dessert, guests can indulge in either a Beijing-style strawberry yogurt pudding or a spiced ginger milk pudding, a twist on a classic Cantonese dessert.

Read more: Where to Find the Most Rare & Expensive Food in the World

@cathaypacific

The challenge of Michelin star dining at 30,000 feet

Delivering true Michelin star meals in an aircraft is no easy feat, however Cathay Pacific and Duddell’s rose to the challenge. 

High altitude reduces humidity and air pressure which impedes your sense of smell and tastebud sensitivity. If you’ve ever recoiled at bland airplane food, it’s likely because high altitude impairs your ability to detect flavor. The team worked to overcome this by designing the meals to be slightly spicier, saltier and sweeter than they would be in a restaurant on the ground.  

You can also forget those square aluminum boxes that airline meals often come in. Michelin star meals must be identically plated with no room for error. With more than 40 meals served each flight through the First class and Business class cabins, the crew are well-versed in beautifully arranging the dishes before serving them to passengers.  

Read more: The ‘world’s best restaurant’ is closing its doors – 4 contenders to steal its crown

@cathaypacific

A  meticulous process

Designing and cooking the dishes was another challenge. Since a full-size kitchen is impossible on a plane, Cathay Pacific mostly prepares the dishes in their kitchens near Hong Kong International Airport. They heat the dishes within about 20 minutes on the aircraft.

The ingredients also had to be fresh with broad appeal and represent the best of Hong Kong cuisine and heritage. With plenty of constraints around the meal design, the menus were tested rigorously. The expert team tasted and revised each dish at least three times before being cleared for takeoff. 

With innovative dishes that retain authentic flavors, the Cathay Pacific x Duddell’s partnership has undoubtedly raised the bar for airline fine dining. But does it compare to regular Michelin star dining on the ground? The only way to find out is a First class or Business seat out of Hong Kong. 

Read more: The Luxury Gold guide to the finest Michelin star restaurants in Edinburgh

@cathaypacific