FGW Catering

[whole diary]

[inspector_blakey]

Sampled the travelling chef twice this weekend (Saturday and Monday mornings) and was very impressed; good to see that this service seems to be getting much more reliable. Two superb breakfasts: I can recommend the breakfast club sandwich and the breakfast platter without hesitation! Pretty good value as well, especially considering in FC^‡(resolve) you're served at seat with proper crockery and cutlery on a weekday.

[Btline]

They were flogging hot food at half price on the 1821 (Cathedral's Express - non chef/Pullman) today.

Is this normal - I hope it is not a sign of v poor sales.

[willc]

Normal practice once past Oxford as this set doesn't do a return run back to London later in the evening, so they want to shift the perishable food.

[Chris from Nailsea]

... and same on the 18:21 from Bristol Temple Meads westwards - food is 'happy hour' prices, otherwise it goes in the bin at Taunton? 

[Btline]

Normal practice once past Oxford as this set doesn't do a return run back to London later in the evening, so they want to shift the perishable food.

Makes sense, but they were doing it from Paddington.

[r james]

Theyve been reducing prices for ages in the evenings

[inspector_blakey]

I think it's basically at the discretion of the customer host, there don't seem to be absolutely fixed times or trains. If they still have a fair bit of perishable stock and are on the last trip of the circuit then it makes sense to shift it for half price than get no money and chuck it. I was on a train the other day where sandwiches and rolls were being offered half price with a free tea/coffee/soft drink from the FC^‡(resolve) complimentary range.

[Jez]

Nice to see the travelling chef on some of the Swansea to Paddington services.

In contrast tho we often have no catering facilities at all on the Cardiff-Portsmouth services at weekends.

[plymothian]

Sampled the travelling chef twice this weekend (Saturday and Monday mornings) and was very impressed; good to see that this service seems to be getting much more reliable. Two superb breakfasts: I can recommend the breakfast club sandwich and the breakfast platter without hesitation! Pretty good value as well, especially considering in FC^‡(resolve) you're served at seat with proper crockery and cutlery on a weekday.

In which case I shall sample the chef's bloomers this Thursday, though out of a cardboard box no doubt as I return to Standard.

[thetrout]

May I recommend the Vegetarian Breakfast Platter??

I had the oppertunity to have one when my train was diverted during the signal problems at Taunton. A very good breakfast it was too

[broadgage]

It would appear that bookings in the restaurants have been re-instated at last, it remains to be seen how long for.

I have just made a booking via the new system.

One must first purchase a first class ticket in the usual way, on line, by phone or in person.
The booking is then made by telephoning customer services on 08457 000 125 , and NOT by telephoning the normal bookings number.
This is to stop first class non dining customers booking restaurant seats.
First class non-dining seats, in coaches  G or H may be booked in the normal way.

It would also appear that the pullman restaurants on two afternoon trains from Plymouth to London have been reprieved, at least for now.

Enjoy it while you can ! I bet the new trains wont have a restaurant, we will lucky to get a buffet, if other new trains are anything to go by.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Reading Evening Post:

On board with travelling chef

The huge seats of First Great Western trains were a soothing place to cocoon oneself after an active weekend in South Wales.

Thoughts of lunch could not be dismissed and we took advantage of the Travelling Chef service provided on this route.

It^s about freshly prepared food from an on-board chef on selected high-speed routes.

Train food has had its knocks over the years but at least FGW^▸ (First Great Western) is trying to make it better and give a more serious proposition for the ravenous commuter sick of floppy sarnies and lukewarm soup in a cup.

I had a filling spicy stir-fried rice with chicken for a reasonable ^6.85 while my guest had a tasty burger for ^5.95 with potato wedges which came with two dips for ^2.75. In both cases the meat was juicy and not gristly or dry, but the wedges could have been crispier.

Other options include bacon rolls for ^3.50, eggs benedict for ^5.25 and deli sandwiches for between ^2.75 and ^7.95.

For the full article, see http://www.getreading.co.uk/lifestyle/travel/s/2051112_feeling_blue_in_pembrokeshire

[thetrout]

Just to summarise vacman's earlier post, The Traveling Chef Select service seems to have replaced some of the Pullman Services with seating provided in Coach G, See:

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=3988

Personally I think some of that food sounds rather good... and reasonable prices too

[devon_metro]

Quite fancy that breakfast myself. Mmmm.

Nice to see it on the 0600 Plymouth Paddington. Previously operated by an Adelante. Definately going to sample the Travelling Chef next time I'm on it!

[Mookiemoo]

Just to summarise vacman's earlier post, The Traveling Chef Select service seems to have replaced some of the Pullman Services with seating provided in Coach G, See:

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=3988

Personally I think some of that food sounds rather good... and reasonable prices too

It sounds good - it fails the burger test

Whenever I stay in a new hotel I always order a burger the first night - if the restaurant can screw up a burger, then dont rely on anything

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) failed the burger test

Maybe I have exacting burger tastes (remember I was a reluctant McD eater due to starvation!)

an anyone share their opinion on the burger - with cheese