Avanti first class catering changes

[MrJeeves]

It seems like Avanti have switched suppliers for some of their catering items.

In particular this morning, I noticed that ketchup wasn't a packet of Heinz but a small jar of Wilkin & Sons ketchup. Sadly, not all of the changes were an upgrade like that was! In the grill, the sausage seems to have had a downgrade to a poorer quality filling (two unchewable chunks of something inside). The mushrooms also seem to now be slices rather than small whole fried mushrooms, but that doesn't matter all that much.

Did these changes happen in conjunction with the last menu change, or has something changed in between then and now too?

 

[voyagerdude220]

Oh dear! As I've said before on here, I'm not a fan of the changes Avanti have made since introducing SP, particularly given that IMO their First Class food isn't as good as it should/could be when you consider how much extra they charge pax for First compared with SP.

Talking of Avanti Breakfast- I think it's annoying that they don't tell you on their printed timetables when to expect Breakfast to be served. Virgin used to highlight where Breakfast was offered so you knew whether to expect Breakfast or the Rest Of The Day menu.

 

[MrJeeves]

Talking of Avanti Breakfast- I think it's annoying that they don't tell you on their printed timetables when to expect Breakfast to be served. Virgin used to highlight where Breakfast was offered so you knew whether to expect Breakfast or the Rest Of The Day menu.

I was told on board a service a few weekends ago that trains departing their origin up to 10am should be breakfast, and up to 11am should be stocked with both breakfast and the rest of the day menu.

But I'm sure this might change between weekdays and weekends, and maybe on a per-day basis depending on stock availability (or whether staff want to bother with offering two menus!) too.

 

[voyagerdude220]

I was told on board a service a few weekends ago that trains departing their origin up to 10am should be breakfast, and up to 11am should be stocked with both breakfast and the rest of the day menu.

But I'm sure this might change between weekdays and weekends, and maybe on a per-day basis depending on stock availability (or whether staff want to bother with offering two menus!) too.

Thanks for that.

I'm more thinking of services between London/Birmingham and Scotland which have longer end to end journey times- e.g. would 09:41/10:41 northbound from Preston or say 10:00/11:00 southbound from Preston offer Breakfast?

 

[MrJeeves]

I'd imagine they likely wouldn't re-stock breakfast for 10am onwards, but I've had breakfast at 11:30 on Avanti with a friendly host which happened to still have stock left over from earlier catering service.

 

[voyagerdude220]

I'd imagine they likely wouldn't re-stock breakfast for 10am onwards, but I've had breakfast at 11:30 on Avanti with a friendly host which happened to still have stock left over from earlier catering service.

I'm guessing on Evero trains they could in theory offer Breakfast anytime (subject to them having them loaded onboard) as they don't need a Chef do they? So it's effectively a case of the catering crew reheating a Breakfast meal or an item from the rest of the day menu.

 

[MrJeeves]

The Everos get pre-cooked items which are kept warm, I believe, but even so there's only so long food can be kept in warm storage before it becomes either unpleasant to eat, or even a health risk.

 

[sh24]

Thanks for that.

I'm more thinking of services between London/Birmingham and Scotland which have longer end to end journey times- e.g. would 09:41/10:41 northbound from Preston or say 10:00/11:00 southbound from Preston offer Breakfast?

I was on a 10am departure from Preston this week and it was the breakfast offer. Quite pleased as that meant 2 bacon sandwiches on the trip from Glasgow to London.

 

[voyagerdude220]

I was on a 10am departure from Preston this week and it was the breakfast offer. Quite pleased as that meant 2 bacon sandwiches on the trip from Glasgow to London.

Thanks for that. Sounds nice!

 

[voyagerdude220]

The Everos get pre-cooked items which are kept warm, I believe, but even so there's only so long food can be kept in warm storage before it becomes either unpleasant to eat, or even a health risk.

That's strange, I was under the impression food would be heated up to order, similarly to what used to happen on Avanti 221s.

 

[sh24]

Thanks for that. Sounds nice!

After a dismal trip service wise on the way up, it was much better on the way back. Nice crews, plentiful drinks runs and happy for me to have multiple items off the menu.

 

[CEB24]

The Everos will have chefs on-board from December, so passengers will have the same cooked (not re-heated) breakfasts as the Pendolinos

 

[voyagerdude220]

After a dismal trip service wise on the way up, it was much better on the way back. Nice crews, plentiful drinks runs and happy for me to have multiple items off the menu.

Good to hear!

 

[voyagerdude220]

The Everos will have chefs on-board from December, so passengers will have the same cooked (not re-heated) breakfasts as the Pendolinos

Interesting. I think Avanti should offer the full menu everyday, including Weekends/Bank Holidays, considering the amount they charge for First Class.

 

[D1511]

I don't get Avanti first class.......I can get a standard premium ticket to sit in the exact same seat, quite often in a less busy coach, and with the money saved I can have a luxury breakfast in the Great Northern Hotel before strolling along to Euston....and i can confidently say that the GNH breakfast knocks Avanti's curly bacon and rubbery eggs into a cocked hat. And there's still enough left over from the difference for a taxi home. I can live without the free instant coffee or stewed tea and being pestered by staff continuously pfaffing about....so 1st class is a total waste of money.
I presume those using it on here are doing so using someone else's money.

 

[hexagon789]

I presume those using it on here are doing so using someone else's money.

Given most businesses have prohibited First Class being claimed on expenses for a number of years now, I doubt it.

 

[D1511]

Given most businesses have prohibited First Class being claimed on expenses for a number of years now, I doubt it.

Well, they must have money to burn then......or else it's all about appearances ...

 

[sh24]

Well, they must have money to burn then......or else it's all about appearances ...

Always fun when people make judgements like that! I normally travel SP but on this particular trip my schedule meant travelling during meal times as well as bookending very busy days. I'd rather eat something on board, in a leisurely way than suffer another horror from Greggs bolted down at a station. The premium over SP wasn't that significant for the entire trip that it made sense to go First. I run my own business so can make pragmatic decisions rather than being dictated to by policy.

I've also found SP much less relaxing of late. Increasingly busy carriages so the peace and tranquility of First was welcome.

 

[D1511]

Always fun when people make judgements like that! I normally travel SP but on this particular trip my schedule meant travelling during meal times as well as bookending very busy days. I'd rather eat something on board, in a leisurely way than suffer another horror from Greggs bolted down at a station. The premium over SP wasn't that significant for the entire trip that it made sense to go First. I run my own business so can make pragmatic decisions rather than being dictated to by policy.

I've also found SP much less relaxing of late. Increasingly busy carriages so the peace and tranquility of First was welcome.

Sorry, it's just my judgement of what's good food and value for money and others are just as likely to reach different conclusions based on their own criteria......and you've justified yours perfectly well. But I'm pretty confident that the food I'm eating is nicer than yours! I also appreciate that not everyone has the opportunity to programme a 1hr posh silver service brekkie into their travel plans.
Interesting your observations on loadings of 1st vs SP. I find it's often the opposite, with more free seats in SP than 1st.....although the Avanti staff can take up a few tables in SP at peak times I suppose, especially between Crewe and Preston.

 

[MrJeeves]

The Everos will have chefs on-board from December, so passengers will have the same cooked (not re-heated) breakfasts as the Pendolinos

I don't think that's entirely fair. Still no fryers on the 80x units, so people will be making do with scrambled eggs instead.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I don't think that's entirely fair. Still no fryers on the 80x units, so people will be making do with scrambled eggs instead.

Some of us prefer scrambled. My real preference is for a mini cheese omelette, and that can even be microwaved!

 

[voyagerdude220]

Some of us prefer scrambled. My real preference is for a mini cheese omelette, and that can even be microwaved!

I prefer scrambled as well.

Talking of cheese omelette, I used to love the one Virgin had in the Super Voyager breakfast before they changed it to scrambled. I think LNER used to feature the same omelette until a year or two ago in their breakfast.

 

[MrJeeves]

Some of us prefer scrambled.

Noone said you shouldn't be allowed the choice! I prefer poached.

 

[CEB24]

I don't think that's entirely fair. Still no fryers on the 80x units, so people will be making do with scrambled eggs instead.

Yes sorry that's what I meant: from December the Everos will have the same staff and equipment in-use as the 390s.

 

[basfordlad]

Although not cheap I love having breakfast on avanti. Traveling at speed eating brekky

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

Although not cheap I love having breakfast on avanti. Traveling at speed eating brekky

Agreed - tucking into a cooked breakfast onboard a Pendolino speeding up the WCML is one of my guilty pleasures.

 

[basfordlad]

Agreed - tucking into a cooked breakfast onboard a Pendolino speeding up the WCML is one of my guilty pleasures.

I live near morpeth. And often work in Birmingham. So I will often come back via Carlisle so I have breakfast on the train. A little longer but 100% worth it for a nicer journey

 

[Butts]

I have just bitten the bullet and paid £93 for an Advanced 1st Class Single from Sandwell & Dudley to Falkirk Grahamston via Glasgow Central on Saturday 27th December.

Strangely there was no option for SP although it shows just Coach K as 1st with the other 2 being of that ilk on the seating plan.

From my experience when it's just K you get a much better service as it's far fewer people ( A bit like TPE)

Normally I would have flown but need to take the X-Mas pressies back up and I'm working on the Night of the 27th - Easyjet who I am flying down with have ridiculous baggage fees which levels the playing field.

Wonder what the X Mas offering will be ?

As long as the booze keeps flowing I'll be happy !!

Yes folks before SP arrived this would have been at least £30 cheaper but the saving on one journey has paid for my Railcard.

 

[nlogax]

Just be careful when ordering the toasted teacake. I wonder how many Avanti passengers may have been less observant and suffered the consequences.

 

[voyagerdude220]

I have just bitten the bullet and paid £93 for an Advanced 1st Class Single from Sandwell & Dudley to Falkirk Grahamston via Glasgow Central on Saturday 27th December.

Strangely there was no option for SP although it shows just Coach K as 1st with the other 2 being of that ilk on the seating plan.

From my experience when it's just K you get a much better service as it's far fewer people ( A bit like TPE)

Normally I would have flown but need to take the X-Mas pressies back up and I'm working on the Night of the 27th - Easyjet who I am flying down with have ridiculous baggage fees which levels the playing field.

Wonder what the X Mas offering will be ?

As long as the booze keeps flowing I'll be happy !!

Yes folks before SP arrived this would have been at least £30 cheaper but the saving on one journey has paid for my Railcard.

I wonder if Avanti will run a different menu over the Christmas and New Year period, similar to what LNER does. Hopefully you have a good experience in First Class on your post Christmas journey.