Well done OP - you've flushed out the BA naysayers pretty sharpish!

There is one particular element of your overall description that sums it up: if BA cared to offer a 'premium' service in WTP then the second meal service wouldn't be a cup of tea in a paper cup and a mini Mars bar.

But they don't need to. BA know they have a mass of travellers thanks to their network and hold on slots at Heathrow. You chose another carrier on the most competitive route and good for you as it seemed to work out better. I'd be interested to know if the price was the same as that's one of the most important factors in a comparison.