American Express recently announced its exciting partnership with Chef Christopher Kostow and Chef Cédric Vongerichten for the financial corporation's new American Express Centurion Lounge locations within the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA). Though the card already gives customers access to international luxury lounges (like the Delta Sky Club), the Centurion Lounge is specific to AmEx and in the case of these two upcoming locations, offer specially curated menus from the above epicurean stars.
“Chef Kostow and Chef Vongerichten are culinary tastemakers, and we’re thrilled to have them curate the food experience at The Centurion Lounge,” says Lisa Durocher, Senior Vice President, Consumer Charge Cards & Benefits at American Express. “The Centurion Lounge is a haven at the airport for our Card Members, and we’re excited to bring this experience to travelers moving through New York and San Francisco.”
Kostow (who was named a Best Chef: West by the James Beard Foundation) will be heading up the menu at The Centurion at SFO, and considering he's the chef at the three Michelin-starred The Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa Valley, CA, he definitely knows a thing or three about gourmet cuisine.
Taking on the LGA menu is Chef Cedric Vongerichten and if you recognize his name, it may be because his dad is the world-renowned chef Jean Georges Vongerichten. Cedric is no slouch either, since Zagat named him one of their 30 Under 30 up-and-coming chefs in 2011.
With lounges already up and running in Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport and the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, the two new locations are set to open later this year and will offer AmEx customers even more travel options.
It's also important to mention that the Centurion Lounge is only open to Platinum Card and Centurion Card members, though other card holders can buy a day pass for only $50.
