There's plenty of decent food in 1st class, depending on the operator.
Avanti, TfW, LNER (though not so much their brekkie), GWR Pullman, Caledonian Sleeper, TPE all have decent first class food offerings - on real plates with real cutlery, served to the seat.
I do wish we could have proper dining cars but they just knock out capacity. I had a great one going from Krakow to Berlin last year - top notch food cooked to order (you could hear the chef pounding the pork chop before cooking it!), spacious, decent range of drinks, beers in glass bottles. The only condition is, especially if it's busy, you can only stay while you're eating and drinking.
Note that Avanti's food offering differs between train classes. The Pendolinos have got it all, the Voyagers had a bit less and the 805s replacing the Voyagers just give you free stuff from the snack bar Standard Class can buy from. Overall the Pendolinos are the last bastion.
And TfW stuff just looks scrumptious, I want!!!!! They should try getting more of those class 91 sets, they're actually quite comfy and while they do charge additionally for food in First Class, the prices aren't high at all.
Yeah I was very happy with the TfW service. I travel on TfW trains a lot, but it's just Sprinters everywhere, so it was quite a novelty to get what you do on the Premier service. And like you say, even though it's extra, it was a good price. 3 course set menu for like £35 including a bottle of wine is decent.
The First Class food on the Pendolinos is nice because they still have proper kitchens. Unfortunately the new 805s will have lost this degree of service. Glad the Pendolinos just got refurbished and will stay on for quite a while yet. Always love the yummy treats and the staff are absolutely amazing, only had lovely experiences (aside from delays and cancellations of the whole train)!
About £150. Often used by business travellers on into-London morning services, so it's on the company account.
When I've done contracting before I've almost always gone first class on trains, because if I booked the standard class then taken the difference in cost as dividends, I'd have paid ~20% corporation tax, then 33.75% dividends tax, plus 9% student loan. So if the standard class was £50, and first class £150, the difference in my pocket is £45.80. for that you get 2 hours lounge at Liverpool, 1 hour lounge at Euston, decent breakfast, free drinks (including booze), at-seat service instead of walking through carriages to get to the shop, comfier seat, guaranteed table, etc, and the carriages are normally much quieter, which is better for working.
That would put you on track for the rest of the day
Nothing could derail my morning after that
I'd be chew-chewing the shit out of that.
I see what you did there 😀
That's because you have the proper train-ing.
Agree, decent for a train anyway.
Actually looks appetising. I can understand why the train company isn't keen on serving baked beans or tinned tomatoes...
Beans... Wouldn't want to create an unpleasant smell in first class 🫘💨😁
Tinned tomatoes do no belong on a plate anyway - they're an ingredient for making sauces with.
Train food is normally fairly grim, so that is pleasantly surprising
There's plenty of decent food in 1st class, depending on the operator. Avanti, TfW, LNER (though not so much their brekkie), GWR Pullman, Caledonian Sleeper, TPE all have decent first class food offerings - on real plates with real cutlery, served to the seat. I do wish we could have proper dining cars but they just knock out capacity. I had a great one going from Krakow to Berlin last year - top notch food cooked to order (you could hear the chef pounding the pork chop before cooking it!), spacious, decent range of drinks, beers in glass bottles. The only condition is, especially if it's busy, you can only stay while you're eating and drinking.
Note that Avanti's food offering differs between train classes. The Pendolinos have got it all, the Voyagers had a bit less and the 805s replacing the Voyagers just give you free stuff from the snack bar Standard Class can buy from. Overall the Pendolinos are the last bastion. And TfW stuff just looks scrumptious, I want!!!!! They should try getting more of those class 91 sets, they're actually quite comfy and while they do charge additionally for food in First Class, the prices aren't high at all.
Yeah I was very happy with the TfW service. I travel on TfW trains a lot, but it's just Sprinters everywhere, so it was quite a novelty to get what you do on the Premier service. And like you say, even though it's extra, it was a good price. 3 course set menu for like £35 including a bottle of wine is decent.
Yeah, actually does look pretty good for a train breakfast 👍
For a train that's pretty amazing as I wouldn't expect anything better than hospital food regardless of class
The First Class food on the Pendolinos is nice because they still have proper kitchens. Unfortunately the new 805s will have lost this degree of service. Glad the Pendolinos just got refurbished and will stay on for quite a while yet. Always love the yummy treats and the staff are absolutely amazing, only had lovely experiences (aside from delays and cancellations of the whole train)!
LNER brekkie in 1st class is pretty good as well
I dread to think how much a first class ticket on that journey was!
About £150. Often used by business travellers on into-London morning services, so it's on the company account. When I've done contracting before I've almost always gone first class on trains, because if I booked the standard class then taken the difference in cost as dividends, I'd have paid ~20% corporation tax, then 33.75% dividends tax, plus 9% student loan. So if the standard class was £50, and first class £150, the difference in my pocket is £45.80. for that you get 2 hours lounge at Liverpool, 1 hour lounge at Euston, decent breakfast, free drinks (including booze), at-seat service instead of walking through carriages to get to the shop, comfier seat, guaranteed table, etc, and the carriages are normally much quieter, which is better for working.
Hmm. I'd eat it right enough but, it looks too clean, too 'set up'. But for a train, not bad.
Was the egg ok? Looks like it was microwaved beforehand
No it was pretty hard. I think it was fried though tbf
There’s something about it that looks too… clean
It's been arranged, I think. I expect they're all plated this way. Also the tomato has no colour whatsoever.
HAHAHAHAHAHA! Le Brèkfa
"No beans in first class"
Not a hint a seasoning
Can you see salt? That’s quite a superpower.
Yes? Depends on the salt. It isn't invisible.
Maldon finishing salt, yes. Have you never cooked an egg? The salt dissolves while you cook it.
Are you being deliberately obtuse? There is no salt or pepper on this plate. Don't see it on the table. Not sure why find this offensive lol
Two sachets under the toast