Cairns caterers set to reunite
Caterair Airport Services once produced 65,000 meals a week out of Cairns. On Thursday, former staff will gather to reminisce at Holloways Beach Sports Club. —
CATERAIR Airport Services Cairns once produced 65,000 meals a week and serviced the flights of world leaders and Hollywood film celebrities.
Recognised as one of the best in aviation catering, hundreds of employees prepared meals for Qantas, Cathay, Continental, Air New Zealand, Japan Airlines, Garuda, Singapore Airlines, Malaysian Airlines and Air Niugini.
In the tourism boom of the mid-1990s, it catered for 14 Japan Airlines jumbos a week and in 2004, Caterair received an award from Cathay Pacific for the best airline catering in the world.
It also supplied meals to schools, Queensland Rail, aged-care homes and catered for Cairns Amateurs.
But in 2008, the Qantasweek, owned subsidiary became Q Catering Cairns and in 2012 it was sold to Gate Gourmet.
On Thursday, former staff will gather to reminisce at Holloways Beach Sports Club.
Former general manager Fred Murphy said Caterair opened in 1990 with 70 staff preparing 7000 meals a week.
“As we grew, we were producing around 65,000 meals a equal to around 3.3 million meals per annum,” he said.
“From around 1993-94, our business grew so fast we built … an additional 60,000 square feet of warehouses, refrigeration and kitchens to support our customer base.
“We serviced the flights of the US president, film celebrities, the French Concorde and private charters.”
Caterair was also called in to help Innisfail after Cyclone Larry, transporting 30 tonnes of food and water within hours of the storm hitting.
Thursday’s lunch is at Holloways Beach Sports Club, Wistaria St, Holloways Beach, from noon. Contact Michael Gann 4055 0285, Fred Murphy 0409 075 932 or email michaelgann55@gmail.com for more information.