A Rich and
Flavoursome History

Deluxe is the UK pioneer of the private/executive jet catering and related services. Today the business has worldwide reputation as the leading supplier of gourmet aircraft catering for the private/executive jet sector.

Sue Griffiths founded Deluxe in 1989. Sue spent 20 years flying as aircrew before taking the metaphorical plunge into the rather large hole she spotted in the in-flight catering market.

“Having spent many years flying VIPs around the globe on private jets, I became increasingly frustrated that the UK did not seem to have caterers capable of meeting my clients’ exacting needs”, she explains. “There was little choice for passengers, other than to dine on catering provided by the airline caterers or to order take away foods from restaurants, each as a compromise – not a word familiar to the average private jet owner – so I decided to go it alone and start a first class catering service without compromise”.

Deluxe rapidly expanded. Her son Steve, a qualified pilot and gourmet chef, joined the business in the formative years and helped put the Deluxe reputation for outstanding food firmly on the aviation map.

“Our non-compromise reputation is now firmly entrenched,” Steve reflects on the company’s well-earned reputation as the best in the business. “Our team of highly skilled and internationally experienced chefs produce absolutely stunning dishes. We are particularly proud of the traceability we can provide with all products. We can even tell you which herd of beef our prime Aberdeen Angus fillets came from, or from which boat our line caught Sea Bass was hooked”.

“Having such a prestigious client list gives us all a great sense of purpose,” explains Steve. “But nothing prepared me for when in 1991, we were honoured with an invitation to provide in-flight catering for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and The Royal Family along with the other users of 32 (The Royal) Squadron.” To this day we are proud to be contracted to serve His Majesty King Charles III, The Royal Family, Prime Minister, and the British Government.

“For many clients’ their time aboard the aircraft can be almost as important as the business they have to attend to at the end of their journey.” Steve explains. “We aim to make the flight as enjoyable as possible, and this is always best achieved by Deluxe Catering supplying the finest in-flight food available’’.

Steve’s ongoing personal attention to Deluxe is reflected in the company’s overall service. This extends to the security of vehicles at airports and discretion sought by its high-profile clients, so when asked what His Majesty enjoys on his toast in the morning, Steve’s final words are, reassuringly, “I couldn’t possibly comment.”