American Airlines has appointed Sean Connolly to introduce his highly-awarded style of cuisine to Oceania.

The celebrity chef, who has restaurants in Australia and New Zealand, will introduce his knowledge of local cuisine to premium cabins on all American Airlines flights from Sydney to the United States from this month.

English-born, Australian raised Sean is one of Australia and New Zealand’s most respected and recognised chefs. His extraordinary career spans across TV shows, cookbooks and restaurants – all of which celebrate Sean’s love affair with multicultural dining and beautiful, quality food.

Travellers on the selected routes will experience Sean’s nod to local produce, where local proteins have been used wherever possible, such as Queensland Prawns and Blue Eyed Cod, as well as also incorporating several of his own Sean Connolly branded products into the recipes.

“I am absolutely honoured to join the ranks of American Airlines exclusive celebrity chef program,” Connolly said. “American Airlines has a wonderful commitment to using local ingredients, which is completely in line with my food ethos. The menu I have curated is simple, honest and rustic – made with the best possible, locally sourced produce.”

In addition to award-winning cuisines, American Airlines’ premium cabins are stocked with a variety of complimentary beers, wines and spirits to complement each inflight menu. Each wine served goes through an extremely selective process as part of the award-winning wine program lead by Bobby Stuckey, who has for over 20 years gained experience as a Master Sommelier and restaurateur.

“A focus for American Airlines is providing expanded menus and a personalised service. We have worked closely with Sean, who is a great asset for the brand, to develop this new offering to ensure that all Business and Premium Economy meals are healthy, delicious and customised to your travel,” said Laura Evans, Marketing Manager ANZ, American Airlines.

American partners with well-known chefs to design several on-board premium cabin menus. As of March 2018, additional chef partnerships include Maneet Chauhan, a James Beard Award winner, restaurateur and TV personality whose cuisine is available on all flights from the U.S. to Europe and South America. American has also begun collaborating with noted chef, Jun Kurogi in conjunction with Japanese Airlines.

As part of Sean’s menu, customers can enjoy dishes including Moroccan Chicken with chickpea casserole and Potato Gnocchi with wild mushroom cheese sauce. For dessert, there’s crème caramel with rum-soaked raisins.