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An ‘eat-in’ at Patina in the name of airport food

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Is an Italian snack bar featuring Nancy Silverton’s panini in the United terminal at LAX too much to hope for? It’s still, um, up in the air whether the likes of Silverton, Susan Feniger, Mary Sue Milliken and several other high-profile chefs and restaurateurs will be able to realize their plans to feed the traveling masses at Los Angeles International Airport.

A panel of City Council members is still debating the proposed list of contractors recommended by the staff of Los Angeles World Airports, which operates LAX. Bidder SSP America -- whose list of proposed restaurants includes Park’s BBQ, M Cafe, LA Mill and Silverton’s Spuntino -- received the highest score from LAWA. But competing bidders -- especially HMS Host, which has operated concessions at LAX for 45 years -- have protested and lobbied to start the bidding process all over again.

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In an effort to persuade city officials to approve its bid, SSP and a roster of chefs have organized an ‘eat-in’ Thursday morning at Patina restaurant downtown, where they plan to serve samples of the new airport fare. From there, participants will attend a scheduled hearing on the LAX food and beverage contract before the L.A. City Board of Referred Powers at 11 a.m. at City Hall. Patina, 141 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, Thursday, 9:30 a.m. (Valet parking available on Grand Avenue in front of Patina).

-- Betty Hallock

See the list of participants after the jump.


SSP America – Senior Vice President Pat Murray

Nick & Stef’s – Chef Megan Logan

Border Grill & Ciudad – Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Miliken

Panda Express – Andrew Cherng

Geisha House (Dolce Restaurant Group) – Lonnie Moore and Mike Malin

Bertha’s Soul Food – Rod White

25 Degrees (Domaine Restaurants) – Tim Goodell

Buttercake Bakery – Logan Levant

La Serenata de Garibaldi – Jose Rodriguez

M Café – Chaya Restaurant Group – Yuta Tsunoda

Red Mango – David Kim

Spuntino – Mark Olcott

Park’s Korean BBQ – Jenee Kim

LA Mill Coffee – Craig Min

Groundwork Coffee – Richard Karno

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