Full steam ahead: fine dining on Belmond British Pullman
With chefs such as Skye Gyngell, Raymond Blanc and Michel Roux Jr cooking their signature dishes for passengers on board one of Britain's most famous trains, we take a closer look at what's in store for this year's series of Belmond British Pullman's 'pop-up' dinners.
Full steam ahead: fine dining on Belmond British Pullman
With chefs such as Skye Gyngell, Raymond Blanc and Michel Roux Jr cooking their signature dishes for passengers on board one of Britain's most famous trains, we take a closer look at what's in store for this year's series of Belmond British Pullman's 'pop-up' dinners.
Good chefs love a challenge – especially when it means they can get out of the kitchen and cook a one-off dinner in some very unique surroundings. That’s why some of the biggest names in the UK food scene have snapped up the chance to cook on board Belmond British Pullman – a historic train that offers passengers a taste of true 1920s luxury.
The 2019 ‘pop-up’ dinners are a series of evenings that bring Michelin-starred and celebrity chefs into the galley-kitchens of Belmond British Pullman, with its art deco interiors and all the mod cons that train passengers once enjoyed. With just 140 guests enjoying each journey, it promises to be a truly memorable experience.
Every dinner will kick off with a glass of Champagne or the finest English sparkling wine, as guests take their seats in one of the lovingly restored original carriages for an evening of fine food. The menus feature a full seven-course tasting menu of the chefs’ signature dishes alongside expertly matched wine pairings, served as the train makes a round-trip through the beautiful British countryside from London Victoria.
Who's cooking
Skye Gyngell, chef-founder of Spring restaurant at Somerset House and culinary director of Heckfield Place, will open the 2019 series with a taste of the summer season. With three cookbooks to her name and an ethos rooted in sustainability and seasonality, Skye has garnered a reputation for dishes cooked predominantly with the finest quality produce from biodynamic farm Fern Verrow in Herefordshire. Skye’s menu on board will be no exception.
Next to take to the train’s galley kitchen is Belmond’s own Raymond Blanc OBE – chef-patron of the two-Michelin-starred Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. Raymond will take over the train with his world-famous French cuisine, serving a specially created five-course menu taking inspiration from the beautiful produce of summer and his French roots.
Following his debut on the train last year, Michel Roux Jr is back by popular demand. One of Britain’s most highly regarded chefs and TV personalities, Michel has been chef-patron of the renowned two-Michelin-starred restaurant Le Gavroche for over twenty-five years. He will return to the elegant surroundings of Belmond British Pullman to serve his exquisite French cuisine to the train’s guests.
Passionate about the future of food, Michelin-starred Merlin Labron-Johnson makes his debut on Belmond British Pullman. The young British chef is on a mission working to create conversation around food and address key issues, both within his community and beyond. Having gained a Michelin star just nine months after opening his debut restaurant Portland at only twenty-four, he joined private member’s club The Conduit as executive chef in October last year. His on-board menu will combine classic French techniques with modern sensibilities whilst striving for zero-waste.
This year there will be some exciting additional pop-up events, including two on 3 and 4 May with the legendary Mary Berry. She'll be hosting two afternoon teas which promise to be truly special, with passengers given a chance to meet the famed baker in the glamorous Belmond British Pullman check-in lounge at London Victoria.
Each event promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, with every one of these iconic chefs cooking the dishes they love the most on the greatest icon of British rail travel. If you’re looking for an evening of world-class food and drink or want to celebrate an occasion with friends and family, a meal on board Belmond British Pullman will prove truly unforgettable.
For more information, go to Belmond's website.
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