Changes afoot! VTEC have been surveying people for their thoughts on their current thinking regarding first class catering once their new IEPs (I'm not calling them Azumas!
) are in service.
From the information provided the new weekday service appears to be broadly unchanged:
Morning
Fresh full breakfast, pastries plus an 'energy' boosting option.
Rest of the day
Two course meal consisting of main course and dessert (and bread roll with butter).
Evening
As above but an additional choice of dessert or cheese board.
Short journeys
Fresh pastry and snacks.
Complimentary Drinks
Beers, wines, soft drinks, tea/coffee remain complimentary but spirits would be chargeable.
It would seem, from the above, that the distinction between 'Rest of the day' and 'Evening Meal' as it currently stands is going (i.e. it reads to me that there won't be an extra main course option like there is now) and the only difference will be the cheese board and an extra choice of dessert. It is not clear if that's going to be expanded to cover more services than just peak departures from the Cross.
Also someone check on
Butts to make sure he's still with us after the shock of the potential loss of complimentary spirits!
They are also proposing to introduce more traditional table service with people being served together rather than food appearing as it's ready. So if you order one thing and a friend/family/other half/etc orders something else then you should be served at the same time rather than now where they might come separately depending on what's happening in the kitchen.
The proposed Weekend service also has changes:
Mornings
Hot and cold pastries or bacon roll.
Rest of the day
Hot and cold pastries, hot toasties and cold sandwiches.
Short journeys
Pastries and snacks.
Complimentary Drinks
Beers, wines, soft drinks, tea/coffee
all complimentary (yes including alcohol!).
This to me is a huge change in the offer and a substantial upgrade on the current weekend catering which is distinctly lacklustre! Bacon roll on a morning is something I've thought they should do for ages and having something hot (even if it's just a toastie) is also something that's been lacking. Plus free booze!
I certainly think that this would give VTEC, by far, the best weekend first class catering available.
They are also proposing that service would be 'on demand' rather than as and when it's ready.
Personally I'm very impressed with their proposals. But the proof will be in the delivery the promise is, as always with Virgin, huge but whether they can match that promise we will have to wait and see. It's also worth noting that these are proposals
not a finished plan.