Heston Blumenthal opens Perfectionists' Cafe at Heathrow airport

Airport dining spaces rarely feature as a highlight of the flying experience, but this year that could change for passengers travelling through Heathrow Terminal 2. From June they will be the only members of the public permitted to dine at Heston Blumenthal's newest restaurant.

Called the Perfectionists' Café, the venue will cater to the demands of travellers by presenting a dining concept that differs from the chef's established eateries. "The demands of an airport outlet are quite different from our other restaurants," Blumenthal explains.

"Some guests will have very little time to spend with us and others, in transit or with longer check-ins, will have time to linger. The restaurant will of course cater to both, but we want to deliver food that is fun and familiar – food that is stimulating to the palate and at the same time easy to enjoy."

Best known for lauded restaurant The Fat Duck in Bray and Dinner in London's Mandarin Oriental hotel, Blumenthal's latest venture will dispense with the formal atmosphere associated with those two venues. Service is to be relaxed and the menu will be largely composed of nostalgic British favourites.

An interpretation of fish and chips is to be served with "the ultimate crunchy batter" and other dishes will be inspired by the In Search of Perfection TV series based on the chef's culinary research and development work. Blumenthal adds that the menu will have "some truly British eccentricity thrown in for good measure."

Interiors have been developed in collaboration with design agency Seymourpowell and recall "the heyday of 1960's passenger flights, when air travel was deemed glamorous and travellers dressed in their best to fly."

The perfectionists referenced in the venue's name are its customers, diners who "are fed-up with junk, but want exceptional food quickly."

Heathrow Terminal 2 opened originally in 1955 and shut after 54 years of service in 2009. After reopening this June, the site will eventually serve 20 million passengers. One of the last thing tourists flying from Terminal 2 will see before leaving British soil, the Perfectionists' Cafe will be located immediately after security.

While the Blumenthal-run venue should draw passengers who have been unable to secure a reservation at the Fat Duck, frequent travellers will find that there are an increasing number of attractive dining opportunities found in other airports.