Food preparation onboard today, a question.

I found myself talking to some business friends at lunch today.
We looked back at memories of first class travel in the late 1960's.
I recall that meals in first class at that time where splendid affairs - always caviar available for a starter plus lobster etc.
The main entree was silver service style with a sirloin joint carved in front of you to your taste, fresh vegetables served on a silver tray always piping hot etc. etc.
We found ourselves wondering about the food preparation on board today.
Clearly for economy all food is prepared on the ground in large kitchens and then just 'kept warm'.
Is it the same for first class or UC with Virgin. Is nothing even assembled on board, say a sauce that could be heated and then served.
I do wonder about the 'bacon rolls' served in UC - mine always seem to have been warmed in a micro wave - so that the bread roll is 'soogy' never ever 'crisp.
I am not complaining times change but I would be fascinated to know what happens with UC food today?
Many thanks - I am sure someone out there knows!
Fairphil

ISTBC but I believe everything is prepared in microwave style heaters regardless of class.

Having said that there was a thread recently on here about VS not heating plates in J class anymore.

We don't have microwaves onboard, just conventional ovens. The meals in Upper Class are plated by the galley operator.

Thanks Jetstreamer.
But does this mean that if I wanted to do a small - mix - between two meal options - say switch potatoes for rice.
That this is easy to do?
Many thanks
Fairphil

It very much depends on the amount of catering loaded on your particular flight. In theory...yes it is possible to mix and match. Occassionally I've done flights (as I'm sure others have too) where we do run out of meal choices in Upper Class!

How come you cant just submit your meal choice a couple of days before you fly? at least that way everybody gets what they want and all the folks at the back arent left with the yuk option that nobody else wants?

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by Ptarmigan
How come you cant just submit your meal choice a couple of days before you fly?

You can if you fly in SQ First or Business Class and Book the Cook. [;)][:D]

I assume the reason VS don't do it is the administrative costs. Given the alleged paltry sums they allocate for in flight meals per passenger, I would think a scheme like that would double their cost. [;)]


Nick

[Decker]

Perhaps they don't trust people to turn up - that is, after all, why overbooking exists

.... also - you can guarantee that many people would change their minds after pre-selecting and then the CC would be in a difficult position. And, of course, there are the wonders of the 'always reliabale' internet - so a pre-selection could go wrong!

I would like the option to pre-book my meals, although even though the food is pre-prepared on airlines, I have found Virgin Atlantic's food better than most, so far I've only flown economy and premium economy with virgin.

I don't see why food should ever be of poor quality on an airline, even supermarkets sell ready meals that are decent for less than £5 a person, I am sure many people would pay extra for a better meal...

If in doubt, take a sandwich or two...

.... as if VS catering have £5 per person per meal.......!

Actually ..... would be very interested to know the cost of the various meals (both Y and UC) on VS flights.

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by musicmanbrain
Actually ..... would be very interested to know the cost of the various meals (both Y and UC) on VS flights.

There was a thread a long time ago when the figures bandied about were £2.50 per Y passenger and £8 per UC passenger, but I have no idea if these figures are accurate or current.

Nick

The only problem with pre-booking a meal is the fact that it may not turn up on the flight.

I have pre-booked children's meals a few times and they haven't been put onboard and on one of the latest TR a passenger who ordered a special meal didn't receive one.

Can you imagine the fuss if people's paid for pre-ordered meals didn't make it onto the flight [:0]

Originally posted by Jetstreamer
Occassionally I've done flights (as I'm sure others have too) where we do run out of meal choices in Upper Class!

Ah, my favorite complaint! [:)]

Not long now before my next trip. I look forward to tasting the delights of the entire menu [:D]

It bothers me that the food is prepared so close to the toilets on-board in UC. However I rarely eat on board any more as I prefer to sleep.

The food is all deliverd to the aircraft 'chilled' and then is heated prior to each service.

No food items are delivered hot.

In Upper Class all of the food is heated and 'plated' prior to being served.