San José Mineta International Airport unveils new F&B outlet

Mayor, Matt Mahan, made a flying visit to San José Mineta International Airport this week for the official opening of Jim Stump’s Taproom + Kitchen in Terminal B.

The new restaurant, located near Gates 23 & 24, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and is open daily from from 6am to 9pm.

It’s the latest project delivered and operated by SSP America, a division of SSP Group, a leading operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide.

The gastropub-style menu features favourites that have made Jim Stump a premier South Bay chef, from a light and tasty quinoa and kale salad to his hearty and delicious trademark Bolognese.

Adding to the local flavour, a tailored list of craft beers, cocktails, and wines includes San José-based J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, as the house brand.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Jim Stump’s Taproom + Kitchen to SJC. Jim has a history of providing great food and unparalleled service in San José, and can now share his culinary talents with the 11 million travellers that pass through our airport each year,” said San José Mayor Matt Mahan.

“SJC’s commitment to showcasing the most innovative local business owners is exactly why we have the best airport in North America.”

SJC’s director of aviation, John Aitken, said: “We’re not only cutting the ribbon on a wonderful new dining experience at SJC, but on a new opportunity to showcase the great talent generated right here in San José.

“It’s another chance to serve our passengers with the world-class customer experience they have come to love and expect at our airport. My thanks go to Jim Stump and SSP America for their partnership, and to our airport team for their work to bring this vision to life.”

SSP America’s senior vice president of business development and airport retention, Paul Loupakos, noted: “This is the first of the concepts we will develop here at SJC, and we’re truly looking forward to a continued partnership with the Airport team.

“Chef Jim Stump has been a fantastic partner and is a true culinary legend in the South Bay area. We couldn’t be more delighted to bring a ‘taste of place’ to SJC with him.”

A veteran chef-restaurateur, Stump, along with his wife and co-owner, Angelique Shepherd, add the SJC Airport location to their prior collection of five highly rated establishments across the South Bay: The Table in San José, Shepherd & Sims in Los Gatos, Lamella, a tavern in Willow Glen, and Forthright Oyster Bar & Kitchen and Vespers, both in Campbell.

Jim Stump’s Kitchen + Taproom is Stump’s first namesake establishment, and is the first of nine permanent concepts to be delivered by SSP America under its new SJC contract.