TFW Catering

[applepie2100]

I seem to recall a brief discussion about TFW catering now that the Mk IV sets are with them but the website had not been updated. It appears to now have been updated and looks like a very decent effort in both first and standard class:

First Class Breakfast: https://tfw.wales/ways-to-travel/rail/food-and-drink/first-class-dining/breakfast

First-class breakfast

Our seasonal menus use the best local ingredients.
Take a look at what you can expect when you're travelling with us.



Our big breakfast | £10.95

Get the full works with our hearty big breakfast. Sample our succulent pork and leek sausages, bacon, black pudding, fried eggs, baked beans, hash browns, button mushrooms, grilled tomatoes and toast. This will set you up for the day.

Our full Welsh breakfast | £9.95

Start your day off with a patriotic twist and tuck into our full Welsh, starring the famous Glamorgan sausage. It’s accompanied with crispy bacon, black pudding, baked beans, button mushrooms, hash brown, fried eggs and grilled tomato. Enjoy this with toast, done just the way you like it.

Our vegetarian/vegan breakfast | £9.95

Try our great-tasting vegan sausages. They don’t compromise one bit on flavour. They come with smashed avocado, hash browns, baked beans, button mushrooms, grilled tomatoes and toast. You can enjoy this with or without eggs.

Pancakes | £6.95

Fancy something a bit sweeter, or perhaps a sweet-savoury combo? Say hello to our handmade pancakes served with summer berries or crispy bacon, finished with a sweet maple syrup.

Avocado and poached egg | £6.95

We take a slice of toasted sourdough bread, add a layer of smashed avocado, and top it off with a soft poached egg.

Porridge | £4.45

Our rolled oats are cooked in oat milk, and when they're just right we top them off with sweet maple syrup and summer berries.

First Class Lunch & Dinner: https://tfw.wales/ways-to-travel/rail/food-and-drink/first-class-dining/first-class

First-class lunch or dinner menu

Our seasonal menus use the best local ingredients.
Take a look at what you can expect when you're travelling with us.

Two courses | £17

Three courses | £20



To start

Golden crumb camembert

Our delicious camembert is coated in a golden crumb. We then bake it to perfection and serve it with fresh salad and a sweet cranberry dip.

Curried leek and potato samosa (V)

We take fresh potatoes and cook them with lightly spiced leek before wrapping them in a crisp pastry shell. We serve our samosa with basmati rice and a fruity chutney dip.



Your main course

Welsh lamb shank

Our tender Welsh lamb shank, creamy mashed potato infused with chives, green beans and a rich mint gravy. A delicious autumn favourite.

Tortelli squash (V)

Our take on a pasta classic. We fill fresh Tortelli with butternut squash, season it with a sage beurre noisette and top it off with a savoury Parmesan crisp.



For dessert

Welsh cheeses

A mouth-watering selection of Welsh cheeses, accompanied by crackers and chutneys.

Salted caramel brownie (V)

Tuck into our yummy, salted caramel brownie. It comes with fresh berries and a zesty blueberry coulis.

Standard Class Breakfast: https://tfw.wales/ways-to-travel/rail/food-and-drink/food-bar/breakfast

First-class breakfast

Our seasonal menus use the best local ingredients.
Take a look at what you can expect when you're travelling with us.



Our big breakfast | £10.95

Get the full works with our hearty big breakfast. Sample our succulent pork and leek sausages, bacon, black pudding, fried eggs, baked beans, hash browns, button mushrooms, grilled tomatoes and toast. This will set you up for the day.

Our full Welsh breakfast | £9.95

Start your day off with a patriotic twist and tuck into our full Welsh, starring the famous Glamorgan sausage. It’s accompanied with crispy bacon, black pudding, baked beans, button mushrooms, hash brown, fried eggs and grilled tomato. Enjoy this with toast, done just the way you like it.

Our vegetarian/vegan breakfast | £9.95

Try our great-tasting vegan sausages. They don’t compromise one bit on flavour. They come with smashed avocado, hash browns, baked beans, button mushrooms, grilled tomatoes and toast. You can enjoy this with or without eggs.

Pancakes | £6.95

Fancy something a bit sweeter, or perhaps a sweet-savoury combo? Say hello to our handmade pancakes served with summer berries or crispy bacon, finished with a sweet maple syrup.

Avocado and poached egg | £6.95

We take a slice of toasted sourdough bread, add a layer of smashed avocado, and top it off with a soft poached egg.

Porridge | £4.45

Our rolled oats are cooked in oat milk, and when they're just right we top them off with sweet maple syrup and summer berries.

Standard Class Light Bites: https://tfw.wales/ways-to-travel/rail/food-and-drink/food-bar/light-bites

Light bites menu

Take a look at what you can expect when you're travelling with us.



Nachos

All topped with melting cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa and tasty pico de gallo.

Lightly salted nachos | £5.45
Vegan three bean spiced chilli | £6.45
Mild spiced beef chilli | £6.99
Pizza

Delicious stone-baked 10” tomato-based pizza.

Margarita | £6.95
Veggi supreme | £7.45
Pepperoni | £7.45
Hawaiian | £7.45
Meat feast | £7.95
Pies

Vegan bean | £4.45
Vegan steak and onion | £3.95
Rev James steak and ale | £4.45
Chicken, leek and bacon | £4.45
Upgrade with creamy mashed potato and delicious, thick gravy to make it a meal deal for an extra £1.50.

Baguettes

Cheese salad | £3.45
Ham salad | £3.95
Tuna crunch | £3.95
Sweet chilli chicken salad | £3.95
Upgrade for £1.50 to add crisps and a cold drink.

Hot drinks

Coffee/decaf | £2.30
Tea | £2.30
Tea - Green/Earl Grey/Mint | £2.30
Hot chocolate | £2.30
Cold drinks

Carbonates and juices from £1.30
Water from £1.30
Mixers from £1.30
Sandwiches and snacks

Crisps, nuts and popcorn from £1.00
Porridge from £2.50
Cakes and biscuits from £1.10
Confectionary from £1.10
Alcoholic drinks

Beers, larger and cider from £2.80
Spirits from £4.50
Wines from £4.75


All catering is supplied by Transport for Wales. Products are subject to availability and prices are correct as of 15 August 2022. These are subject to change.

Trolley Service: https://tfw.wales/ways-to-travel/rail/food-and-drink/trolley

Hot drinks

Coffee/decaf | £2.30
Tea | £2.30
Tea - Green/Earl Grey/Mint | £2.30
Hot chocolate | £2.30
Cold drinks

Carbonates and juices from £1.30
Water from £1.30
Mixers from £1.30
Sandwiches and snacks

Crisps, nuts and popcorn from £1.00
Porridge from £2.50
Cakes and biscuits from £1.10
Confectionary from £1.10
Alcoholic drinks

Beers, larger and cider from £2.80
Spirits from £4.50
Wines from £4.75


All catering is supplied by Transport for Wales. Products are subject to availability and prices are correct as of 15 August 2022. These are subject to change.

View our trolley menu as PDF

At a time when most of the other operators (GWR Pullman Dining excepted) are seemingly trying to do as little as they can get away with this seems on paper at least to be a thoroughly decent effort. I'd far rather pay and get and get a good quality and good value bite to eat so TFW might just be onto something with this. Memories of the old GWR Travelling Chef concept perhaps?

If anyone gets a chance to try this it would be good to see some feedback.

 

[williamn]

I took this service from Cardiff to Bangor the other day travelling in First. Will do a proper trip report with pics later but I was very impressed on the whole. Had a three course meal with two little cans of wine for £28.50 I think, which I thought was amazing value.

 

[Runningaround]

Why do the meals cost the same if you're in first-class or standard? I thought the price of the first-class ticket came with a meal included, otherwise what's the point in first class.

 

[williamn]

The meals in first are no longer included, just soft drinks and snacks. I don’t think the first class menu is available in standard class.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The meals in first are no longer included, just soft drinks and snacks. I don’t think the first class menu is available in standard class.

AKA "throwing away money".

Obviously not on a proper plate, but why not serve the 1st meals in a box for takeaway in Standard? Or even have, shock horror, a restaurant car as part of the Standard vehicle nearest the buffet?

 

[williamn]

It does seem strange yes. I guess it could be to do with ensuring all menu options are available for travelling in First. I’d say the food service isn’t run in a particularly entrepreneurial way… reminded me of BR! I’ll put more in my trip report.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

AKA "throwing away money".

Indeed. The chances of someone even knowing first class is now available on this route, plus then buying a ticket, plus then forking out for the meal are quite slim, compared to someone in standard class (which is most passengers - first is often very empty IMO) walking upto the buffet car and ordering a meal for their long journey to North Wales. They could make so much more from offering it to standard class passengers "Travelling Chef-style"

I still find it disgustingly cheap of them that they charge for the meal and yet haven't reduced the first class prices.

 

[30907]

Why do the meals cost the same if you're in first-class or standard?

They aren't. The link upthread to Standard Class Breakfast is followed by a quote of the First Class one.

I still find it disgustingly cheap of them that they charge for the meal and yet haven't reduced the first class prices.

That said, the upgrade prices were a bargain, especially for railcard holders, and TfW are entitled to reduce the subsidy their taxpayers offer now the service is proving so popular.

 

[Bletchleyite]

They aren't. The link upthread to Standard Class Breakfast is followed by a quote of the First Class one.

That said, the upgrade prices were a bargain, especially for railcard holders, and TfW are entitled to reduce the subsidy their taxpayers offer now the service is proving so popular.

I don't see an issue with the meals being chargeable, but I think it's downright silly not to sell them to Standard passengers in a cardboard box with wooden cutlery if they want them. The Standard menu is basically just sandwiches, which is really, really weak. The competitor, remember, is M&S Food...

 

[30907]

I don't see an issue with the meals being chargeable, but I think it's downright silly not to sell them to Standard passengers in a cardboard box with wooden cutlery if they want them.

I am sure they did something similar at one time. Provided it is profitable!

 

[Bletchleyite]

I am sure they did something similar at one time. Provided it is profitable!

If the marginal cost of one meal is higher than they're charging for it, they need to increase the prices!

 

[ainsworth74]

That said, the upgrade prices were a bargain, especially for railcard holders, and TfW are entitled to reduce the subsidy their taxpayers offer now the service is proving so popular.

Agreed! It was an absolute bargain. I'm sure I did Cardiff to Chester with a standard class AP (not technically allowed but no-one ever reported being turfed out) for about £20 and then the supplement was around £20. £40(ish) for a three course restaurant quality meal, soft drinks and travel! Madness. Excellent for the passenger and my thanks to Welsh taxpayers for the trip.

I don't really object to TfW putting an end to that as it was really crackers. And personally I still think the price charged for the food isn't unreasonable especially as they appear to have maintained the quality.

I am sure they did something similar at one time. Provided it is profitable!

Yes I'm certain you could approach the buffet as standard class passenger and buy the same meals that were being served in first class. Not sure what the prices were but I do think they're missing a trick by not doing the same thing now.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The other thing they could do with doing, if they don't already (and I bet they don't), is setting up the TfW website so you can purchase it as an inclusive item when booking. I doubt Premier Inn would sell anywhere near as many breakfasts if you simply had to pay when you had it. It's so much easier just to check that box, when it's only a small uplift when your room is costing a hundred quid, than not to just go to McD's over the road for half the price on the day (or buy from M&S in this case).

That would also help their planning in terms of how much stock to hold.

 

[ainsworth74]

The other thing they could do with doing, if they don't already (and I bet they don't), is setting up the TfW website so you can purchase it as an inclusive item when booking. I doubt Premier Inn would sell anywhere near as many breakfasts if you simply had to pay when you had it. It's so much easier just to check that box, when it's only a small uplift when your room is costing a hundred quid, than not to just go to McD's over the road for half the price on the day (or buy from M&S in this case).

That would also help their planning in terms of how much stock to hold.

Agreed and even the operators where it's inclusive like LNER it would seem like a good idea to offer the option of "pre-booking" your meals as it will help them with stock control, reduce the number of disappointed passengers who had their eye on one item but it ran out, etc.

I believe TfW and ATW before them used to use the number of reservations in first class to help determine how much stock to carry on the train. Certainly they only ever laid out enough places for the number who had reserved! Obviously walk-ups were accommodated but they seemed quite rare from the few times I did it.

 

[XAM2175]

That would also help their planning in terms of how much stock to hold.

Agreed and even the operators where it's inclusive like LNER it would seem like a good idea to offer the option of "pre-booking" your meals as it will help them with stock control, reduce the number of disappointed passengers who had their eye on one item but it ran out, etc.

Bingo, it's something that a lot of airlines really got on board with over the last few years for exactly the same reasons.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

The competitor, remember, is M&S Food...

Whose quality is not to be sniffed at, unlike RailGourmet or whatever equivalent TfW use.

 

[OrangeJuice]

The TfW timetable says all the MkIV services have restaurants for 1st customers for the Manchester to Cardiff services in the December timetable on their website. Are they hiring lots of extra catering staff/chefs or will they just be using the buffets?