Apr 16, 2017, 1:12 pm
Last edit by: corporate-wage-slave
Club Europe Catering Guide 2017.
This thread outlines the new arrangements for Club Europe catering, introduced on Sunday 26 March 2017 and due to end on Tuesday 11 September 2018, based on 3 zones. A new Club Europe catering product is due to be launch on Wednesday 12 September 2018, and this is based on 4 bands. The main information piece - in terms of timings and the distance zones for the meals can be found in post 1. The following cross references the photos below against the matrix of options. In addition to the photos, some FTers have written extensively on their experiences so there is more to this thread than the pictures. Also note that there was an increase in food offered on some combinations shortly after the start-up, so the more recent photos may be the best place to start.The previous shorthaul catering guide, now locked but which had the previous 4 band system, is to be found here.
Numbers relate to the post number. Vegetarian means the alternative option provided as standard rather than the pre-ordered versions - which are VLML (Lacto-ovo), AVML (Asia) and VGML (Vegan) . There are differences between the offering in/out of LHR, LGW, LCY+STN. Last update: 833
-------------------------
Note posts before 1-832 are typically the April 2017 menu. 833 and above is from the menu for May 2017.
----
Chef's Chat sheets for:
CE LHR Summer 2017 - Rotation A
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28338151-post954.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28339641-post958.html
-----.
Short Band (UK, France, Ireland, BeNeLux, Germany)
Breakfast: 279, 570 (vegetarian), 629, 674, 821 (Express breakfast for MAN and LBA), 1343 (Vegan), 2285 (Express for LBA and MAN), 2445
Brunch: 180, 289, 469, 563, 685, 716, 2625 (AVML)
Lunch: 207, 545 (diabetic), 644 (first photo), 680 (VLML), 802, 928, 1322 (Kosher), 2284
Afternoon tea: 339, 404 (vegetarian), 480, 600 (VLML), 710 (including low lactose), 800, 882 (gluten free), 1281, 1322 (Kosher), 1673, 2679 (Kosher), 2792
Dinner: 563, 630 (VGML), 669 (Kosher Passover), 771 (VGML LCY) 799, 819 (AVML), 833 (May 2017 menu), 1283, 1287, 1674, 2446, 2616 (Kosher), 2793
Comments on difference between AVML and VLML here.
-----
Medium Band (e.g. Madrid, Nice, Prague, Copenhagen)
Breakfast: 645 (vegetarian), 724 (vegetarian), 1003
Brunch: 199 (VLML), 600 (VLML), 659 (Kosher Passover)
Lunch: 239 (child), 251, 425, 641, 733
Afternoon tea: 332 (also includes vegetarian), 426 (GFML), 813 (Muslim)
Dinner: 456, 551 (also includes VLML), 666, 1004,
1278
-----
Long Band (e.g. Lisbon, Rome, Warsaw, Stockholm).
Breakfast: 195 (vegetarian)
Rest of the day: 306 (LFML), 345, 427, 443, 468, 597, 676, 687, 695, 783 (VLML)
======
NOT MAINTAINED AND OUT OF DATE: The complete Short Haul meal structure for the longer flights as of October 2017 is:
LHR
Meal 1: Chicken / red pepper risotto
Meal 2: Beef cheek
Meal 3: Chicken supreme / gnocchi
Meal 4: Miso glazed cod
Meal 5: Chicken khao soi
Meal 6: Hot smoked salmon linguine
LGW
Meal 1: Thyme roasted chicken
Meal 2: Spicy corn and paneer masala
Meal 3: Thai Penang chicken curry
Meal 4: Roasted red pepper tortellini
Meal 5: Beef and mushroom caserole
Meal 6: Tomato and four cheeses tortellini
Structured into:
Rotation A
LHR outbound
Meal 3
Meal 4
inbound to LHR
Meal 5
Meal 6
Rotation B
LHR outbound
Meal 5
Meal 6
inbound to LHR
Meal 1
Meal 2
Rotation C
LHR outbound
Meal 1
Meal 2
inbound to LHR
Meal 3
Meal 4
===
October 2017 = Rotation C
November 2017 = Rotation A
December 2017 = Rotation B
January 2018 = Rotation C
etc
This thread outlines the new arrangements for Club Europe catering, introduced on Sunday 26 March 2017 and due to end on Tuesday 11 September 2018, based on 3 zones. A new Club Europe catering product is due to be launch on Wednesday 12 September 2018, and this is based on 4 bands. The main information piece - in terms of timings and the distance zones for the meals can be found in post 1. The following cross references the photos below against the matrix of options. In addition to the photos, some FTers have written extensively on their experiences so there is more to this thread than the pictures. Also note that there was an increase in food offered on some combinations shortly after the start-up, so the more recent photos may be the best place to start.The previous shorthaul catering guide, now locked but which had the previous 4 band system, is to be found here.
Numbers relate to the post number. Vegetarian means the alternative option provided as standard rather than the pre-ordered versions - which are VLML (Lacto-ovo), AVML (Asia) and VGML (Vegan) . There are differences between the offering in/out of LHR, LGW, LCY+STN. Last update: 833
-------------------------
Note posts before 1-832 are typically the April 2017 menu. 833 and above is from the menu for May 2017.
----
Chef's Chat sheets for:
CE LHR Summer 2017 - Rotation A
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28338151-post954.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28339641-post958.html
-----.
Short Band (UK, France, Ireland, BeNeLux, Germany)
Breakfast: 279, 570 (vegetarian), 629, 674, 821 (Express breakfast for MAN and LBA), 1343 (Vegan), 2285 (Express for LBA and MAN), 2445
Brunch: 180, 289, 469, 563, 685, 716, 2625 (AVML)
Lunch: 207, 545 (diabetic), 644 (first photo), 680 (VLML), 802, 928, 1322 (Kosher), 2284
Afternoon tea: 339, 404 (vegetarian), 480, 600 (VLML), 710 (including low lactose), 800, 882 (gluten free), 1281, 1322 (Kosher), 1673, 2679 (Kosher), 2792
Dinner: 563, 630 (VGML), 669 (Kosher Passover), 771 (VGML LCY) 799, 819 (AVML), 833 (May 2017 menu), 1283, 1287, 1674, 2446, 2616 (Kosher), 2793
Comments on difference between AVML and VLML here.
-----
Medium Band (e.g. Madrid, Nice, Prague, Copenhagen)
Breakfast: 645 (vegetarian), 724 (vegetarian), 1003
Brunch: 199 (VLML), 600 (VLML), 659 (Kosher Passover)
Lunch: 239 (child), 251, 425, 641, 733
Afternoon tea: 332 (also includes vegetarian), 426 (GFML), 813 (Muslim)
Dinner: 456, 551 (also includes VLML), 666, 1004,
1278
-----
Long Band (e.g. Lisbon, Rome, Warsaw, Stockholm).
Breakfast: 195 (vegetarian)
Rest of the day: 306 (LFML), 345, 427, 443, 468, 597, 676, 687, 695, 783 (VLML)
======
NOT MAINTAINED AND OUT OF DATE: The complete Short Haul meal structure for the longer flights as of October 2017 is:
LHR
Meal 1: Chicken / red pepper risotto
Meal 2: Beef cheek
Meal 3: Chicken supreme / gnocchi
Meal 4: Miso glazed cod
Meal 5: Chicken khao soi
Meal 6: Hot smoked salmon linguine
LGW
Meal 1: Thyme roasted chicken
Meal 2: Spicy corn and paneer masala
Meal 3: Thai Penang chicken curry
Meal 4: Roasted red pepper tortellini
Meal 5: Beef and mushroom caserole
Meal 6: Tomato and four cheeses tortellini
Structured into:
Rotation A
LHR outbound
Meal 3
Meal 4
inbound to LHR
Meal 5
Meal 6
Rotation B
LHR outbound
Meal 5
Meal 6
inbound to LHR
Meal 1
Meal 2
Rotation C
LHR outbound
Meal 1
Meal 2
inbound to LHR
Meal 3
Meal 4
===
October 2017 = Rotation C
November 2017 = Rotation A
December 2017 = Rotation B
January 2018 = Rotation C
etc
Club Europe catering guide
Oct 3, 2017, 10:56 am
#1501
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 84
VCE-LGW 1755 02OCT
OpUp to 1A, No menu but was offered nuts with first drink pass and first choice of Salmon Salad with Dijon Mustard or Ham and Cheese toastie (later referred to as a Croque Monsieur to passengers behind me trying to establish what a toastie was)
[Apologies for lack of photo, I am not a photo taker of food or self-at-thing person]
6 rows and at CE capacity, bird was an ex-BMI A319 so no divider but headrest cloths in CE to distinguish. Kept an ear out but sounded like there was enough to cater for all, though possibly not first choice nearer the back of the cabin (he says guiltily)
Interestingly caught the tactic of referring to the food offering as 'Salmon Salad or Cheese and Ham Toastie' to the port side of the plane and 'Cheese and Ham Toastie or Salmon Salad' to the starboard side. Not sure if this was the CSM's personal style or a strategy to keep the selection numbers equal-ish as most people, myself included, took up the first option offered to them. Something for the armchair psychologists or am I overthinking things?
Champagne (large bottle of Castlenau x 3 popped at least during the flight) topped up every pass by the delightful CSM, also had a cup of tea in the new mugs which was very welcome after a long weekend on the continent without a proper cuppa. Offered a plastic roadie for landing which I dutifully accepted after being told there was half a bottle still to get through just as the captain announced 15 minutes to go.
Impressed, though slightly sad that champagne and fancy cutlery/napkin aside this was pretty much the ET service a few years ago before the reduction to snack-and-gin and before the woeful BoB state we are in now
OpUp to 1A, No menu but was offered nuts with first drink pass and first choice of Salmon Salad with Dijon Mustard or Ham and Cheese toastie (later referred to as a Croque Monsieur to passengers behind me trying to establish what a toastie was)
[Apologies for lack of photo, I am not a photo taker of food or self-at-thing person]
6 rows and at CE capacity, bird was an ex-BMI A319 so no divider but headrest cloths in CE to distinguish. Kept an ear out but sounded like there was enough to cater for all, though possibly not first choice nearer the back of the cabin (he says guiltily)
Interestingly caught the tactic of referring to the food offering as 'Salmon Salad or Cheese and Ham Toastie' to the port side of the plane and 'Cheese and Ham Toastie or Salmon Salad' to the starboard side. Not sure if this was the CSM's personal style or a strategy to keep the selection numbers equal-ish as most people, myself included, took up the first option offered to them. Something for the armchair psychologists or am I overthinking things?
Champagne (large bottle of Castlenau x 3 popped at least during the flight) topped up every pass by the delightful CSM, also had a cup of tea in the new mugs which was very welcome after a long weekend on the continent without a proper cuppa. Offered a plastic roadie for landing which I dutifully accepted after being told there was half a bottle still to get through just as the captain announced 15 minutes to go.
Impressed, though slightly sad that champagne and fancy cutlery/napkin aside this was pretty much the ET service a few years ago before the reduction to snack-and-gin and before the woeful BoB state we are in now
Oct 3, 2017, 1:36 pm
#1502
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: London, UK
Programs: Virtuoso, FSPP, Hyatt Prive, Hilton Impressario, Marriott Stars/Luminous, Roswood Elite, MO Fan Club
Posts: 561
Im flying LBA-LHR (Dep:0930) and LHR-BRU (Dep 1620) in two days' time.
What can I expect in terms of food? I've ordered an Asian Veg (AVML)
I've looked through the past 10 pages, my expectation are really low. I anyhow want to avoid that two pieces of mozzarella and tomato salad with one tiny rocket leaf!
What can I expect in terms of food? I've ordered an Asian Veg (AVML)
I've looked through the past 10 pages, my expectation are really low. I anyhow want to avoid that two pieces of mozzarella and tomato salad with one tiny rocket leaf!
Oct 3, 2017, 4:21 pm
#1503
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Berlin
Programs: Meow Mix
Posts: 1,434
It was okay but if I ordered the same meal again and got the exact same tray I would be
Oct 3, 2017, 11:34 pm
#1504
Join Date: May 2012
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 663
Im flying LBA-LHR (Dep:0930) and LHR-BRU (Dep 1620) in two days' time.
What can I expect in terms of food? I've ordered an Asian Veg (AVML)
I've looked through the past 10 pages, my expectation are really low. I anyhow want to avoid that two pieces of mozzarella and tomato salad with one tiny rocket leaf!
What can I expect in terms of food? I've ordered an Asian Veg (AVML)
I've looked through the past 10 pages, my expectation are really low. I anyhow want to avoid that two pieces of mozzarella and tomato salad with one tiny rocket leaf!
), and a welcome break from the mozzarella and tomato dish. There's a picture of it in this post from a while back.
Oct 4, 2017, 3:08 am
#1505
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,179
It is not about what food is offered, it is about the total lack of variation! It can't be that someone who is flying BSL-LHR-MAN (for example) and back on the next day has to eat 4 times the same thing (for 7 months straight).
No one I know is eating the same thing all over again - several times a day.
No one I know is eating the same thing all over again - several times a day.
Oct 4, 2017, 5:22 pm
#1506
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: London, UK
Programs: Virtuoso, FSPP, Hyatt Prive, Hilton Impressario, Marriott Stars/Luminous, Roswood Elite, MO Fan Club
Posts: 561
Oct 4, 2017, 11:29 pm
#1507
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Switzerland
Programs: AY+ Platinum, SK Gold, BAEC Silver, airbaltic VIP, Radisson VIP
Posts: 6,531
Ok, my post was quite unclear, because I drafted it badly. Apologies. What I meant was that this has been the meal for the last 7-odd months for someone flying this route. We haven't flown that much, thank god.
Oct 5, 2017, 5:42 am
#1508
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,179
As I say, if I ran BA the catering would be reviewed much more often. However whatever is served you can guarantee that someone would go "ugh". I'd move the Long Band a little further in to incorporate the Big Cities that just miss out - and Afternoon Tea would become High Tea with a hot quiche or some such instead of those Now-We-Are -Five Sandwiches and I'd put honey on as an alternative to Strawberry Jam. It would cost so little and hey presto problem solved.
The trouble is we who serve the stuff know what people like - but hey ho what do we know.
Oct 7, 2017, 12:35 am
#1509
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Scotland & London
Programs: BA GGL, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Mucci des Salons Ouvrants
Posts: 3,032
It was chicken salad or beef and chilli panini. I went for the panini which was very average and had one jalapeño chilli slice in it!
The cheesecake dessert looked like it had rolled around in the container for a bit!
Aks120
The cheesecake dessert looked like it had rolled around in the container for a bit!
Aks120
Oct 7, 2017, 12:39 pm
#1510
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SQ Gold, KQ Platinum, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,351
I had the plastic lid left on both the cheese and the dessert coming back from ATH earlier this week. I handed the two lids straight back to the crew member.
Oct 7, 2017, 12:53 pm
#1511
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,976
BA1345 - LBA-LHR
6 October
Why choose between salad and panini when you can have both
6 October
Why choose between salad and panini when you can have both
Oct 7, 2017, 1:12 pm
#1512
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: York, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,184
I was wondering what would be offered at the end of the month, is the offering the same on BA1343?
Oct 7, 2017, 1:16 pm
#1513
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,976
Yes, so there are a few similar things such as duck salad, chicken salad, beef panini, mozzarella and tomato panini, and chicken flatbread (probably a few other I can't remember too) so you will get a choice. Don't expect two though, I was lucky last night!
Oct 7, 2017, 1:16 pm
#1514
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SQ Gold, KQ Platinum, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,351
Oct 7, 2017, 1:17 pm
#1515
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,976