From Carlisle sausage rolls to a Highland breakfast feast: TPE’s new First-Class menu promises a delicious journey

The new catering service, called West Coast Kitchen, serves up tasty dishes and snacks from across the train operator’s network on services between Manchester/Liverpool, Lancashire, Cumbria and Scotland.

TPE has worked alongside Rail Gourmet UK, to develop the menu and has recruited and trained 30 extra staff to be part of the new culinary experience.

The new menu is included in TPE’s ticket price for First-Class customers, while Standard-Class customers buy drinks and snacks from the Express Café menu onboard.

From a Scottish Highland breakfast feast, which includes Lorne sausage and The Farmer’s Son black pudding, to braised beef stew and macaroni cheese made with Belhaven smoked cheddar – there is something for everyone to enjoy on-board.

And for those still hungry, sausage and vegan sausage rolls baked by Pie Demand in Carlisle are just some of the lighter options available.

Alcoholic drinks will be on offer 11am after including Leeds-based Northern Monk’s Faith Hazy Pale Ale, a selection of delicious wines, as well as tasty tipples from Edinburgh Gin.

Soft drinks include traditional Scottish Irn-Bru, as well as Farrer’s tea and coffee from the Lake District.

A delicious full roast is also available on Sundays, complete with pork stuffing, mashed potatoes, carrots, green beans and gravy.

Food is served in sustainable bamboo bowls with wooden cutlery and hot drinks are served in plastic-free cups.

Two menus will swap every week, meaning regular commuters will be able to enjoy a variety of food.

Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience & Transformation Director at TransPennine Express, said: “We are really excited to bring this new menu to our customers.”

“Our commitment to the communities we serve along our routes is shown in the provenance of the products we have introduced, and we are thrilled to have partnered with so many fantastic suppliers to bring this new menu to life.”

The train operator has now doubled its hosts onboard its West Coast Anglo-Scot services, meaning there is one host dedicated to the First-Class carriage and another to Standard Class.

A total of 80 staff, both new recruits and existing hosts, have received Celebrity Service Training from the renowned Geoff Ramm.

Kathryn added: “We have worked hard to improve our catering, particularly in First Class, to bring our customers an experience in line with what they expect and deserve when travelling on a premium service.”

For more information and to see the new menu visit: https://www.tpexpress.co.uk/travelling-with-us/onboard-facilities/food-and-drink