The accolades keep rolling in!

The winners of the ARN Awards have been announced and we’re elated to share the news that Kaedama, our concept featuring traditional Japanese fare at The United Experience at EWR Terminal C, has taken home the award for Best Airport Restaurant Design. The ARN Awards, organized by trade publication Airport Revenue News, recognize excellence in the airport concessions industry.

At OTG we strive to reimagine the design of the airport space, and Kaedama is no exception. Created in collaboration with design powerhouse Rockwell Group, Kaedama is located in the center of Terminal C’s Global Bazaar. Finding its inspiration from clock towers found in classic European town squares, the concept features a 40’ sculpture hanging above it, in the form of an abstract gold noodle that is wrapped by a handwoven LED media mesh. The mesh features 17,000 interconnected LED lights that display custom animations including Japanese inspired images.

Adding a unique component to the travelers’ restaurant experience, chefs are elevated on a platform directly under the sculpture to highlight the theater of making freshly pulled, handmade noodles. The chef area is bounded by a 42-seat, six-point star-shaped counter made from modern and luxe materials, such as wood, leather and metal.

The design of Kaedama is playful, theatrical and completely unexpected in an airport environment. We are humbled by the recognition and look forward to continuing to create leading-edge airport spaces for travelers.

-OTG