Eurostar and Waitrose are today announcing a brand new partnership that will see Britain’s favourite supermarket* supply on-board refreshments to Eurostar’s bar buffets, for passengers travelling in standard class between London and mainland Europe.
A delicious collection of fresh sandwiches, snacks, drinks and hot dishes will arrive on-board all Eurostar services from 30th April. With a number over 20 products there’ll be something to fulfill pan-European appetites including mushroom risotto, chicken tikka masala, and a tapas selection, in addition to traditional British sandwiches and the French classic Croque Monsieur.
This new culinary collaboration marks Waitrose’s first major move into on-board food and its first significant continental venture. Waitrose Business to Business Director, David Morton, said: “This is an exceptionally exciting opportunity for us to work with any such prestigious brand, which shares our commitment to quality and repair. To be the primary food brand that Eurostar’s customers experience after they are visiting Britain is tremendously powerful as we seek to expand our presence within Northern Europe.”
Having recently upgraded both its Standard Premier and Business Premier catering, Eurostar’s partnership with Waitrose completes a trio of changes with a purpose to see Eurostar passengers offered the perfect range of refreshments within the rail operator’s near 20 year history. For lots of French and Belgian travellers, it will likely be their first taste of Britain’s new national dishes akin to chicken tikka masala.
Julian Welham, Head of On-Board Services, at Eurostar said: “The on-board dining experience is an essential component of our passengers’ travel experience, and our new partnership with Waitrose will bring our customers the best quality refreshments during their journey. Whilst our British passengers should be well accustomed to Waitrose, we glance forward to introducing the emblem and plenty of of its British classics to our continental customers.”
Eurostar recently launched a brand new summer menu for Business Premier passengers in partnership with Culinary Director, Michelin-starred chef, Raymond Blanc. The summer options do something about seasonal flavours, fruit and veggies and have several Blanc family recipes. Separately, Eurostar’s Standard Premier passengers can look out for an update to their menu options from April.