Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge has created an exciting Speedbird Cafe menu for British Airways.

Posh steak & ale pies created by the Michelin star cook will be winging their way to BA customers on short haul economy flights.

The TV star, who runs gastropub The Hand & Flowers in Marlow, Bucks – the only pub in the UK with two Michelin stars – has also created four special sandwiches that can be snapped up from £4.10.

Ham hock & smoked cheddar sarnies will be available, as well as chicken, bacon & celery brioche baguettes and soft brie & apple chutney ploughman's sandwiches.

There’s something for vegetarian travel fans too – a spiced cauliflower and chickpea tortilla wrap.

Passengers will also get complimentary water and snacks, a measure introduced during the pandemic which will be continued due to its popularity with customers.

Alternatively, passengers can purchase Tapas Boxes by Jose Pizarro (£5.95 each), Cambrook nuts (£1.50) and Savoursmiths crisps (£1.35) from the menu.

And to wash everything down, customers have a choice of drinks including BrewDog Jet Stream beer (£4.50), Pannier Champagne (£17 for 375ml), Bloody Mary (£6.50), Dash Sparkling Spring Water (£2).

The UK-sourced Speedbird Cafe menu launches later this month – when BA departs from its current M&S collaboration.

Nigel Thompson, Reach Travel Editor, gives his verdict on the Tom Kerridge x British Airways menu

THE VERDICT

So what is the Tom Kerridge-British Airways food like? I put it to the test with a sample box delivered to my house.

The Steak & Ale Pie is superb, packed with melt-in-the-mouth beef wrapped in delicious buttery shortcrust pastry. This perfect pie in the sky is going to fly off the shelves.

Both the Chicken & Bacon Baguette and the Brie Ploughman’s Sandwich ticked the boxes for a tasty treat at 38,000ft, but I was even more impressed by the vegetarian Spiced Cauliflower Tortilla Wrap – that's lovely, with a crisp tang and non-vegetarians will want it too.

My winner, though, is the Ham Hock & Smoked Cheddar Sandwich. It's bursting with flavour – essential at aviation altitude – with rich, luscious ham and a cheese that pleases. This really is a ''a very special sandwich''.

OVERALL

The prices are reasonable for a 'captive audience' and it's a great new partnership.

I think BA's passengers will be delighted with what's on offer – this 'back of the bus' airline food is the flight stuff!

Passengers have been told they should order and pay for their food at least 12 hours before take-off.

The airline warned those who don’t order and instead buy on board may not be able to get their preferred choice.

Tom said be was ''super proud'' of the new food.

He added: ''It may just be a sandwich, but it's a very special sandwich.''

Source: Read Full Article