The Kitchen Was Part Of An Expansion Project

By Anthony J. Liberatore

It was Waco Aircraft's Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 aircraft that caught my eye at Sun 'n Fun 2021, as it was new to me as I missed it being part of their Biplane line up for quite a while.

However; after talking to the team at their booth, something new is going on with team Waco that will excite the foodie in all of us, and bring aviators and the those that like great food together. Alex Skiba, Marketing and Sales Manager, explained that the Kitchen was part of an expansion project that quadrupled their Battle Creek MI facilities square footage, that expanded the aircraft manufacturing facility as well adding space of a service and repair facility.

While the Waco Kitchen has been in operation for brunch since January 2020, the Official Grand Opening is May 1st 2021 for diner and weekend brunch. The Restaurant features 2nd floor observation windows over the Runways as well as observations windows into the Waco production and service facilities. The restaurant is accessible via the road or ramp for pilots flying in for a bite. Alex notes they are averaging 8 to 10 fly in's per day for dinner. In the challenging 2020 Michigan restaurant business environment, Alex explained how they rolled with ratcheting from 100% takeout to 25%, then 50% capacity in the restaurant over the January to March timeframe. Wait lines to get in during the ramp up of indoor dining were long, however at this time, takeout is still 30% of their business.

Alex said the signature dish is the Waco Taco but that is because 'they had to', however the food fair is a fusion of European and American cuisine. This is an organic enterprise part of Waco Aircraft itself, not someone just leasing this kitchen. As noted on their website: “WACO Kitchen's entire concept was crafted by Switzerland’s Chef Oliver Nyaguy and his family of culinary experts.” This team stayed in MI for 3 to 4 months to train the Chefs and Staff. The fair is designed to give you energy without feeling bloated, emphasizes farm to table -- which helps the MI economy, and they have even incorporated enviro-friendly containers for takeout orders.

I asked Alex about how some restaurants get popular and end up being franchised -- 'you haven't crossed that bridge have you?'

His reponse? “We are in discussion.”

This concept will see it's 1st expansion as it “rolls” into a major airshow to be held in July/August timeframe. CEO Sven Lepschy noted that the caliber of the Waco Kitchen's food would take the airshow food experience to a new level. Does this portend something similar for Sun 'n Fun in the future?

Only time will tell. 

I also asked if a famous Celebrity Chef with spiked hair might come to visit, and Alex responded that they haven't asked yet, but that they'd love to have him!

FMI: www.wacokitchen.com