Michelin-Level Dining on Welsh Rails

By Ivan PetrenkoMar 27, 2025 10:44 AMNews
Share:
A First Class train operated by Transport for Wales approaching a station through a residential area
First Class routes between Cardiff and Manchester now offer a gourmet upgrade. Source: unsplash

Transport for Wales (TfW) is set to introduce a new premium food experience onboard its First Class train services from 7 April. This initiative, created in collaboration with acclaimed Welsh chef James Sommerin, will run for eight weeks on routes connecting Cardiff with Holyhead and Manchester. The limited edition is a fusion of fine dining and public transport that brings contemporary Welsh cuisine to the rarely esteemed dining public transport side.

The partnership marks a notable shift in how regional train services cater to passenger needs. Instead of snacks and light meals, First Class will deliver meals created by a Michelin-starred chef. The menu focuses on local produce and is a capsule of modern culinary thinking in Wales. The aim is to enhance the quality of long-distance rail travel and offer passengers a unique, restaurant-standard experience while onboard.

Travellers will be able to enjoy dishes such as braised Welsh feather blade of beef with shallot and Blaenafon cheddar crumb, a seaweed egg custard paired with fresh crab and apple salad, and a rich dark chocolate fondant accompanied by Merlin and orange cream. Every dish is created to keep flavour and quality intact while in transit so you can enjoy food of high class. Passengers can choose between two courses for £24.95 or three for £27.95, with wine available as an optional extra.

Beyond the menu, TfW has also extended its catering scope to include freshly prepared and sustainable food all at a brand new kitchen in Newport of its own. To make the First Class offering more accessible, TfW has also partnered with Seatfrog, a platform that allows passengers to upgrade seats through bidding, opening up fine dining opportunities to a wider group of travellers at competitive prices.

This development signifies more than just improved meals—it reflects a broader trend of rail operators redefining what train travel can offer. For travellers, it means longer journeys can now be something to savour rather than endure. With the integration of quality cuisine, Welsh identity, and sustainable practices, TfW is elevating rail travel into a more appealing and experience-driven option for both leisure and business passengers.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
Person using a smartphone to leave a review at a restaurant

Tourists Raise Red Flags Over Hawaii Reviews

Apr 19, 2025 23:44 PM
Railway tracks under construction at a train station with overhead wires and equipment

Luni Station Closure Disrupts Spring Travel

Apr 19, 2025 21:21 PM

Brussels Airport Revamp Will Shift Passenger Experience

Apr 19, 2025 19:58 PM

Wuxi Shuofang Airport to Close Temporarily for Maintenance

Apr 19, 2025 16:46 PM
TransPennine Express train at platform

Easter Rail Disruptions to Affect Northern England Routes

Apr 19, 2025 14:23 PM
Runway at Edinburgh Airport during dramatic sunset skies

Edinburgh Speeds Up Passenger Flow with Upgrades

Apr 19, 2025 12:39 PM
Malaysia Airlines aircraft being loaded at the airport gate

Malaysia Airlines Reinstates Brisbane Route with Expanded Regional Access

Apr 18, 2025 23:21 PM
Aerial view of a beach on Seychelles, with turquoise waves and granite rock formations

Seychelles Launches Marine Programme for Environmentally Minded Travellers

Apr 18, 2025 21:34 PM
Travelers waiting inside airport terminal with view of parked airplane on the runway

Maintenance Work to Impact Summer Departures at Hannover Airport

Apr 18, 2025 19:48 PM

Severe Rail Disruptions Ahead of Marathon and FA Cup

Apr 18, 2025 17:23 PM

Asia Travel Made Easier with New Airline Partnership

Apr 18, 2025 15:35 PM
Crowne Plaza hotel building under clear sky

Business Travel Gets Personal: New Hotel Perk Encourages Guests to Bring a Companion

Apr 17, 2025 23:31 PM
Emirates Airbus A380 taking off from the runway during daytime

Easter Flights Bring Seasonal Comforts for Travelers

Apr 17, 2025 20:25 PM
Two people walking with an umbrella during heavy rain on a flooded street

Weekend Weather Threatens Travel Across South West England

Apr 17, 2025 18:47 PM
Wizz Air aircraft in flight against cloudy sky

Wizz Air Expands Naples Routes with New Travel Destinations

Apr 17, 2025 16:33 PM

Maui faces water shortage amid tourist comfort

Apr 16, 2025 22:39 PM

New Direct Flight Simplifies Travel Between Munich and Dubai

Apr 16, 2025 20:42 PM
Interior view of Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 with immigration area and directional signs

Changi Lounges to Expand Space and Comfort Over Two Years

Apr 16, 2025 18:24 PM
Rail workers operating heavy machinery to replace tracks during infrastructure upgrade

Train Delays Expected on Pisa to Rome Line This Summer

Apr 16, 2025 16:37 PM
Traveler with suitcase watching airplane take off at airport terminal

Antalya Airport Upgrade Enhances Travel Experience

Apr 15, 2025 16:46 PM
Dynjandi waterfall cascading down a rocky mountain in Westfjords, Iceland

Iceland’s Expanding Appeal for Nature-Loving Travellers

Apr 15, 2025 14:53 PM
Pegasus Airlines aircraft taking off from the runway

Flexible Antalya Trips Now Easier from Graz

Apr 15, 2025 12:37 PM

UK Rain Warning Triggers Travel Caution for Midweek Journeys

Apr 15, 2025 10:44 AM

Hidden Fees and Access Problems Reported on eDreams

Apr 15, 2025 08:21 AM
Passengers seated inside a city bus

Electric Buses Make Exploring Exeter Smoother for Visitors

Apr 15, 2025 06:39 AM
Munich Airport's central plaza with glass roof and modern architecture

New Munich Route Eases Access to Canadian Rockies

Apr 14, 2025 23:56 PM