Great Western Railway: on-board catering, buffets, Travelling Chef, Pullman - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[paul7575]

Does this imply simultaneous withdrawal of the Travelling Chef services then?

Paul

It certainly implies the end of the travelling chefs on those services regaining a Pullman since it is not possible to provide both on the same train.
As to the other chefs, I don't know.

I was thinking back to earlier suggestions that the 'travelling chefs' were to be withdrawn generally, before introducing further Pullman services.  Does a Pullman service have more than one chef, i.e. do they need to withdraw a larger number of travelling chef trains than one for each new Pullman?

Paul

[JayMac]

Pullmans have one Chef, a Service Leader (effectively a Ma^tre d'), and a varying number of waiting staff, whose official titles escapes me. Paging bobm!

[bobm]

I think they are called Customer Hosts - simply because they also do the trolley or the buffet on occasions.

The chefs, indeed most of the staff, on the Pullmans work longer shifts than most other catering staff in that they usually have more time in Paddington after working up from Plymouth.  It is a bit of an insurance policy to ensure they are in place for the busier evening return service in the case of delays.  The net effect is they work fewer days a week so you need more of them to cover the shifts.

[bobm]

Just to add - even allowing for extra chefs to work the new Pullman services there will still be travelling chefs who will be displaced.  I understand they will have the option to become Customer Hosts on their current terms and conditions.

[JayMac]

Menus for the new services are now listed on the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) website.

The 0553 Plymouth to Paddington Wiltshire Breakfast Menu (available to Taunton)

The 0558 Swansea to Paddington Welsh Breakfast Menu

The 1006 Paddington to Plymouth Wiltshire Brunch Menu (available from Paddington and Reading)

The 1045 Paddington to Swansea Welsh Brunch Menu

Note. Embedded links will download .pdf files. Can also be downloaded via: https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Your-journey/On-board/Pullman

Essentially the same menus on each run with certain items from either Wales or England.

[broadgage]

Sounds good, unfortunately I have now moved to Somerset rather than regularly travelling between London and Somerset, and therefore seldom use the Pullman service.
Not like the good old days when I was a fairly frequent customer.

[JayMac]

I think I may well pop up to London on Wednesday just to try the brunch on the 1045 back west. Got me some RTVs that are burning a hole in my pocket.

[TeaStew]

Interesting that both "Wiltshire" and "Welsh" Brunches have Welsh bacon in the Eggs Benedict.

(Probably my own definition of interesting...)

[TaplowGreen]

Interesting that both "Wiltshire" and "Welsh" Brunches have Welsh bacon in the Eggs Benedict.

(Probably my own definition of interesting...)

Wiltshire pigs have been RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) members for years, they are exempt from being eaten on FGW^▸ (First Great Western) services following negotiations.

[JayMac]

The forum's Galloping Gourmets/Epicurean Adventurers/Glorious Gluttons (call us what you will...) were out earlier today sampling the new (or rather, re-introduced) Pullman dining offering on First Great Western's 1045 ex Paddington service to South Wales.

I made my way to Paddington early doors in time to return west on the 1045 to Swansea. Plans were hatched with fellow forum staffer bobm for he to join me at Swindon from where we could enjoy Brunch together, speeding through the Severn Tunnel and on into a different country. We weren't sure that service would be available from Swindon, but that fear was quickly dispelled after I inveigled myself with the Pullman service team prior to boarding at Paddington. My chattiness and promise of a decent food bill got me bumped up to 1st Class through to Swindon where bobm joined me.

The staff were made up of Travelling Chefs and Customer Hosts, but nearly all of them had previously worked FGW^▸ (First Great Western) South Wales Pullmans up until 2009. A couple of faces were definitely familiar to me, from the recesses of my memory, taking breakfast on a couple of occasions on the 0801 from Bristol Parkway more than half a decade ago.

The menus have already been posted earlier in the thread so there's no need to go into too much detail, save to say that, for ^18, you certainly get your money's worth. Even if you think the food might be a tad expensive (remember, it's Silver Service, from a pokey kitchen, and cooked/served at up to 125mph), the personal service from the staff, who, without fail, care deeply about what they are offering, make the experience very good value. More coffee? No problem. Some more toast? Certainly, sir.

Some pictures from bignosemac's and bobm's brunch:

Marmalade, Jam (strawberry, blackcurrant), Honey. Even Marmite (not pictured) available for your toast. Toast that can be brown, white, fruit loaf or Welsh Cake


Natural Yoghurt with Granola and Honey


Full Welsh Breakfast: Bacon, sausage, Welsh black pudding, Glamorgan 'sausage', fried egg on fried bread, mushrooms, beans. I forewent the grilled tomato. Me not like


Kedgeree with Smoked Haddock and Poached Egg


The 'works' was bignosemac's order and the Kedgeree was bobm's.

Oh, and I had Bloody Mary to accompany my brunch. Cheers!

[bobm]

Just to add - for this week only there is a ^5 discount on the South Wales brunch, taking the cost down to ^13.  I am not sure if it applies to the West of England service on the 10:06 to Penzance.

I had been looking forward to the kedgeree ever since I discovered it was going to be on the menu, and I wasn't disappointed.  It was polished off in double quick time.

You could tell many of the crew were former Pullman staff - they are quickly back into the swing of it.  Even placing the hot plate on the table gripped between a spoon and fork so as not to touch it - not seen that for many a long year.

Also good to see some good loadings.  There were six of us today - not bad for a service which only started on Monday and hasn't really been promoted yet.

[John R]

It's very tempting just for the hell of it to board it at Swindon one day and head into South Wales just to try it out.  It's around 10 years since I did lunch on the up SW Pullman and very good that was. 

[Chris from Nailsea]

The forum's Galloping Gourmets/Epicurean Adventurers/Glorious Gluttons (call us what you will...)

I still prefer their sobriquet, the Trundling Trenchermen ...  

[bobm]

It's very tempting just for the hell of it to board it at Swindon one day and head into South Wales just to try it out.  It's around 10 years since I did lunch on the up SW Pullman and very good that was. 

We were discussing how far into Wales you'd need to go.  I reckon you could just about fit in the meal before Cardiff from Swindon, but carrying onto Bridgend is probably better for the digestion.

I still prefer their sobriquet, the Trundling Trenchermen ...  

...oh and we were just about to invite you next time we go....

[Chris from Nailsea]

I would have some reservation over travelling with so much facial hair evident at the breakfast table ...