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CrossCountry's catering offering (2015-2017)

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D1009

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Thanks. I wasn't sure if it was that or to turn the set around given that it goes to Edinburgh and then reverses.
I don't think they care which way round the Voyagers are, though the HSTs normally have first class at the south end.
 

Goldfish62

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They do indeed, can someone give Serco a kick and point out that the Sleeper breakfasts should really be to that sort of standard?

That looks like First Class, does anyone know what they are served on in Standard?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


The sort of food and presentation appears to tally very much with DB getting involved and telling them to match the standard of the Bistrowagen! :)

Oh we need now is to be able to wash it down with a delicious weissbier served in a proper branded glass. :D
 

D1009

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On this morning's 0600 Leeds to Plymouth HST, from Bristol it was announced that the full English and vegetarian breakfasts at £7.50 were available from the galley in coach B. There was no at-seat service.
 

sheff1

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Thanks for the pictures Ash Bridge. I will definitely be looking to try this next time I have a suitable journey on XC.

A suitable journey to Newton Abbot last week resulted in consumption of a good quality meal - 2 well cooked pieces of tender belly pork and decent vegetables, although the latter possibly not to the taste of those who favour al dente style cooking.

I asked the attendant who delivered the meal what the take up had been like and he replied 'not bad'. He was not the chatty type so I did not delve further. I certainly hope the the take up is good enough to continue with this innovative service.
 

D1009

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A suitable journey to Newton Abbot last week resulted in consumption of a good quality meal - 2 well cooked pieces of tender belly pork and decent vegetables, although the latter possibly not to the taste of those who favour al dente style cooking.

I asked the attendant who delivered the meal what the take up had been like and he replied 'not bad'. He was not the chatty type so I did not delve further. I certainly hope the the take up is good enough to continue with this innovative service.
Did you book the meal on line when you booked your ticket?
 

Ash Bridge

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A suitable journey to Newton Abbot last week resulted in consumption of a good quality meal - 2 well cooked pieces of tender belly pork and decent vegetables, although the latter possibly not to the taste of those who favour al dente style cooking.

I asked the attendant who delivered the meal what the take up had been like and he replied 'not bad'. He was not the chatty type so I did not delve further. I certainly hope the the take up is good enough to continue with this innovative service.

Glad you enjoyed the meal, you really can't complain at eight quid a go can you? Like you I really hope it's a success for XC and they develop the service even further, btw, were you on a Voyager or a HST?
 
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berneyarms

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I see a further update on the Cross Country website:
http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/on-board-with-crosscountry/food-drink

NEW! Bistro Area

With a great menu (pdf) to choose from, we are now offering customers the opportunity to enjoy a delicious range of hot meals in our Bistro Area on a select number of services operated by our High Speed Trains*. There is no need to pre-order your meal in advance if travelling on one of these services, simply take a seat within the standard class seating area of coach B and a member of our on-board catering team will be on hand to take your order and serve you at your seat.

*The Bistro Area is available Monday to Friday on the following services -

• 06:06 Edinburgh to Plymouth
• 15:25 Plymouth to Leeds
• 08:12 Birmingham New Street to Plymouth
• 12:25 Plymouth to Edinburgh
 

Ash Bridge

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ainsworth74

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Sounds like the reintroduction of restaurant cars under another name to me! :lol:
 

FQTV

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Looks like someone in the Publicity Department doesn't know their eggs from their beans to me.
 

Jonfun

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That's another positive development by XC, although if a Voyager has to sub for the HST for any reason I don't suppose they could still provide the service, also I don't suppose it will ever happen on Voyager dominated services to Manchester either sadly.

Voyagers won't have a "Bistro Area" (Which should win the award for the least appropriate name of the year) due to lack of space, so there's no change to how the hot meals are served - ie standard class they're served in trays, First class they're served plated.

Basically it's a fancy way of saying if you're in Standard class on HSTs where these meals are served, you can have your meal on a plate instead of in a tray if you come and sit in coach B.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Looks like someone in the Publicity Department doesn't know their eggs from their beans to me.

Have they still not fixed that? :roll:
 

higthomas

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Voyagers won't have a "Bistro Area" (Which should win the award for the least appropriate name of the year) due to lack of space, so there's no change to how the hot meals are served - ie standard class they're served in trays, First class they're served plated.

Basically it's a fancy way of saying if you're in Standard class on HSTs where these meals are served, you can have your meal on a plate instead of in a tray if you come and sit in coach B.

As far as I can tell it makes no mention of the method of food delivery. It seems to be basically that they will have enough stock on board that you can order whilst on the train rather than having to pre-book. I look forward to trying all this out at some point. :)
 

brompton rail

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Could it be that XC's catering base is at New Street hence catering supplies not loaded until reaching there?

Trolley service, and I presume First Class Breakfasts, available from Leeds. Perhaps XC don't want to be overwhelmed on what is a pretty busy train?
 

Ash Bridge

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Another option has been added to XC's Dining Menu, Traditional Christmas Dinner, available from now until 23 December.
 

Jonfun

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Sorry, I missed these.

As far as I can tell it makes no mention of the method of food delivery. It seems to be basically that they will have enough stock on board that you can order whilst on the train rather than having to pre-book. I look forward to trying all this out at some point. :)

No, the Bistro area trains already had hot meal stock on board before. Now instead of having them delivered down the train in a tray/dish thing, you can have them on a plate in the Bistro area.

And yes, the first catering stores that 0600 off Leeds will reach is Birmingham New Street hence why they can't load meals on before then. First Class breakfasts in the morning off Leeds and Manchester are a different offering to the usual menu as they're sourced from a supplier at those locations.
 

DeeGee

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I'm looking at this with interest. How does it work?

I have an Advance next month from Tamworth to Sheffield. It's a busy weekend and seating is probably at a premium, although I have a reservation I occasionally manage to choose an alternative seat. The journey is about an hour.

Would that be time to eat?

I presume I'd have to sit in my allocated seat, which is fine. Would someone in the crew identify me just after leaving Tamworth and bring me a tray? Or Is there a "service" like on a low-cost plane where they'd come down with the trolley?
 

yorksrob

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I enjoyed the breakfast in the Bistro area a couple of weeks ago.

I just got on in the small saloon next to the kitchen where the table was laid and informed the attendant.

Wasn't a huge portion but was handy before a meeting.
 

Jonfun

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I presume I'd have to sit in my allocated seat, which is fine. Would someone in the crew identify me just after leaving Tamworth and bring me a tray? Or Is there a "service" like on a low-cost plane where they'd come down with the trolley?

It wouldn't go on the trolley, there'd be nowhere to put it and it'd be cold by the time it got to you, unless you were in the first half of F. One of the crew should pop down and see you or make a suitable announcement. You don't *have* to sit in your allocated seat, but doing so's likely to save confusion and if you're planning to find a different one I'd suggest making yourself known to a member of the traincrew so they don't assume you've not got on.
 

Ash Bridge

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I enjoyed the breakfast in the Bistro area a couple of weeks ago.

I just got on in the small saloon next to the kitchen where the table was laid and informed the attendant.

Wasn't a huge portion but was handy before a meeting.

Not quite on a par with the InterCity Crosscountry Grill offering of days gone by then? But still a huge step in the right direction.
 
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