Alaska Airlines is further elevating inflight dining with the launch of its newest culinary initiative, Chef’s (tray) Table, a First Class dining program designed by celebrated chefs up and down the West Coast. The program debuts with a thoughtfully crafted menu by Chef Brady Ishiwata Williams, the James Beard award-winning talent behind Seattle’s renowned Tomo restaurant.
Alaska Airlines’ new Chef’s (tray) Table program was born from the overwhelming success of its collaboration with San Francisco’s Chef Brandon Jew that launched last year. What began as a single partnership to elevate the onboard dining experience made it clear that guests are hungry for meals that reflect the West Coast’s rich, diverse culinary culture. That success laid the groundwork for an expanded, rotating chef series featuring menus that change seasonally and spotlight regional talent. As a natural next step, Chef Jew is now part of the official Chef’s (tray) Table program, which will grow into a line-up of top chefs whose signature styles and culinary stories are thoughtfully woven into the inflight experience.
“Chef Williams and Chef Jew work tirelessly at their craft and remain deeply rooted in their communities, no matter how successful they become,” said Todd Traynor-Corey, Vice President of Guest Experiences, Alaska Airlines. “They embody Alaska’s values of giving back, creating thoughtfully curated meals with high-quality ingredients and providing memorable guest experiences – making this a perfect partnership.”
Chef Brady’s Seattle restaurant, Tomo, is named in honour of his grandmother, Tomoko Ishiwata Bristol, whose cooking deeply influenced his culinary journey. A self-taught chef, Brady got his start in his grandparent’s diner before rising through the ranks to become executive sous chef at a Michelin-rated restaurant in Brooklyn, and later, executive chef at Seattle’s iconic Canlis where he earned a James Beard Award for Best Chef. He opened Tomo in 2021 to much anticipation in the vibrant, diverse neighbourhood of White Center, aiming to offer the community a rich culinary experience that reflects his Japanese American heritage and creativity.
“Every dish and ingredient carries a story, and I’m incredibly proud to partner with an airline that champions local business owners like me to bring elevated and culturally rooted cuisine to the skies,” said Chef Brady Ishiwata Williams. “This collaboration has shown me how deeply Alaska cares about every detail – from carefully selecting its partners to food sourcing – and how committed they are to transforming your tray table into the chef’s table. These are dishes I make in the kitchen, and thanks to Alaska, I now get to share them with guests in the sky.”
Chef Brady’s inaugural dishes – available exclusively in First Class between Seattle and John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National – will highlight seasonal ingredients sourced from the Pacific Northwest.
“We know that food connects people to the world, different cultures and a sense of place,” added Traynor-Corey. “The Chef’s (tray) Table brings that connection to life onboard, before our guests even reach their destinations. We’re thrilled to kick off our next culinary chapter with Chef Brady, who brings the flavours of the Pacific Northwest and his Japanese American heritage to the skies in a way that’s both innovative and delicious.”
Hear more from Alaska Airlines at FTE Global – the “CES of Aviation” taking place in Long Beach on 9 to 11 September 2025. Gus Naughton, Principal Software Engineer – Innovation, Alaska Airlines & Kellen Schroeter, CEO & Co-Founder, Pattern Labs, are participating in a session focused on ‘How do we leverage technology, innovation and new approaches to create Smart Ramp operations around the world and create holistic solutions to cover airline/airport/handler needs?’ with a joint presentation titled ‘What is the in-depth story behind Alaksa Airlines becoming the first airline to automate dispatch on the ramp with AI?’ Naughton is also participating in a session focused on ‘How do we now revolutionise the gate and boarding experience, and other key airport pinch-points?’ Nicole Hodges-Austin, Innovation Program Manager, Alaska Airlines, is participating in a session titled ‘Pilot stories: What are hard lessons learned, and secrets, to a successful innovation journey?’ Meanwhile, Natalie Randall, Day of Travel Experience Manager, Alaska Airlines, is participating in ‘The FTE Accessibility Symposium – let’s go above and beyond what is required’.
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