Chefs, Restaurant Owners Fight for LAX Contract

Los Angeles - Celebrity chefs and owners of more than a dozen local restaurants staged an "eat-in" on Thursday in their bid to land a city contract to open eateries at Los Angeles International Airport.

"We want to give everyone traveling through LAX a taste of the real and unique flavors of Los Angeles -- if the city will let us," said Susan Feniger, co-owner of Border Grill and Ciudad restaurants.

The group is part of SSP America, whose proposed contracts for food and beverage services at LAX will be considered next week by the Board of Referred Powers, a panel controlled by the City Council.

Los Angeles World Airports, which controls LAX, recommended approval of the proposed concessions in April, after SSP America came out first in a bidding process.

HMS Host, which has been providing most food and beverage services at LAX for the last 45 years but ranked fourth in the bidding process, filed a complaint and asked for a do-over.

Since Airport Commissioner Alan Rothenberg had a potential conflict of interest -- he has ties to a food company currently operating at the airport under a contract with HMS Host -- the Airport Commission referred the matter to the Board of Referred Powers.

SSP America's partners include Nick & Stef's Steakhouse, Market Cafe, Border Grill Taqueria, Geisha House from the Dolce Restaurant Group, Panda Express, La Serenata de Garibaldi, Spuntino from Nancy Silverton, Red Mango, Park's Korean BBQ and Peet's Coffee.

Under the proposed contract, they would serve food and beverages at LAX Terminals 4, 5, 7 and 8.

SSP America Senior Vice President Pat Murray said, "The airport management plans to spend nearly $1 billion upgrading and expanding its facilities in the coming years, and they understand that it's crucial to upgrade the travelers' dining experience, as well."

During the "eat-in" at Patina restaurant near Walt Disney Concert Hall, some SSP America partners offered up a taste of their cuisine.

"We're ready to bring the very best food that Los Angeles has to offer at the airport," said Joachim Splichal, chef and founder of Nick & Stef's Steakhouse. "We just want city officials to give us the chance."