Hong Kong (CNN) -- Long gone are the days of ice sculptures and crepe suzette served up as a matter of course in first class cabins on airliners. But what is presented to premium passengers can still rival some top hotels or restaurants, and can often act as a good barometer for the health of an airline's fortunes. "When times get tough, food is one of the costs airlines can cut without jeopardizing safety," says Andreas Weber, general manager of airline catering company, Gate Gourmet. "It has changed back and forth (over time); airlines go through crises," he says. "(Today) more airlines are investing substantially in their first and business class products. Making people comfortable in big seats, everyone is doing that already, but what is left is the catering experience."
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Much of premium class airline food is hand-prepared
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Gate Gourmet one of three airline catering facilities next to Hong Kong airport
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Company produces around 15,000 meals each day
Responsible for getting 15,000 meals a day onto planes departing Hong Kong International Airport, @placeholder is well versed in meeting the demands of both airlines and passengers.