Aiming to Deliver a Service that is ‘First Class – Consistently’

• Round up from the Routes– Catch up on page 2

• Rail Gourmet Day 2012– Full details on page 3

• The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee– See page 4

Please address any editorial queries to Jennifer Fleet, Editor, First Class at the address below or to: jfleet@railgourmetuk.com

Rail Gourmet 169 Euston Road London NW1 2AE.Tel: 020 7543 3300www.railgourmet.com

news

Irish Rail Renews Contract

By Appointment toHer Majesty The Queen

Royal Train CaterersRail Gourmet UK Ltd

LondonOn-board and Logistics Solutions for the Rail Industry

It gives me great pleasure toadvise you that Rail Gourmet hasjust signed a new three year dealwith Irish Rail.

The Rail Gourmet Ireland team has beenparticularly busy over the last year, havingsuccessfully introduced a new EPOSsystem, launched Rail Gourmet’s new on-board brand ‘2U’ and has received manycommendations from Irish Rail regardingthe service delivered.

The team has been led by Ciaran Foleywho comments “This is a greatachievement for the team and a big thankyou to all who played a part in making ithappen. I am really looking forward todriving the business forward and making

the Irish Rail contract the Rail Gourmetretail showcase”.

In addition Tom Curley, Contract Executive,Irish Rail, adds “We are very happy toannounce the continuance of our workingrelationship with Rail Gourmet Ireland byawarding the Irish Rail on-train cateringand litter pick services to Rail GourmetIreland for the next three years. We see thisaward as the next step as in customerservice excellence, reliability, innovationand continuous improvement. Well doneRail Gourmet Ireland, wising you all thevery best.”

Well done to all involved in thissignificant renewal.

Kim Bircham, Chief Executive Officer, Rail Gourmet.

SPRING2013 EDITIONInside...

An Irish Rail host serving a customer.

An Outstanding Contribution

Ken started working in the rail industry in Wolverhampton on the WesternRegion, in 1952 – yes 1952(!) – and later on moved onto the LondonMidland service (now the West Coast Mainline) where he became ChiefSteward on the Birmingham Pullman providing a top class silver service.

In the early 1970’s he was invited to join the Royal Train crew, becomingthe Royal Train Chief Steward in 1981, where he serves the Queen andevery other member of the Royal household plus international dignitarieswho may be guests dining on the Royal Train.

He was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal by the Queen and was, forsure, instrumental to us being granted the Royal Warrant – somethingthat is very important to our business.

Last year, we celebrated the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and it is fitting thatwe celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of an outstanding on-board servicecareer.

Ken Moule – 60 years outstanding service and still serving!

At our last Rail Gourmet Day we acknowledged individuals and teams that have made an exceptional contribution to ourbusiness during 2012. Last year the Outstanding Contribution Award went to Ken Moule, who has made an outstandingcontribution to our business not just for one year ...but an incredible 60 years!

Ken Moule.

STOP PRESS... STOP PRESS... STOP PRESS... STOP PRESS...See the new Rail Gourmet website at www.railgourmet.com

East Midlands Trains is planning a menuchange in the spring and are in theprocess of moving their First Classlounge in St. Pancras closer to theplatform, whilst at the same timeimproving the facilities and range ofproducts in their offer to first classpassengers using the lounge.

We have increased coverage on localservices with both Sheffield andNottingham hosts continuing beyondStockport to Liverpool. This has beenvery well received by passengers, andthe customer.

“Michelin starred chef Raymond Blanc,OBE has joined Eurostar as their newCulinary Director. This new partnershipwill see Raymond collaborating closelywith Eurostar’s catering suppliers andsharing his passion for sustainable,seasonal food with Eurostar’s BusinessPremier Passengers.

Rail Gourmet is also working closelywith both Eurostar and their OnboardService Provider “Momentum Services”on a number of new concepts andlogistical solutions, so watch this spacefor further news.

Before their journey aboard themagnificent British Pullman train atLondon Victoria Station, guests arewelcome to enjoy a hot beveragesupported by Rail Gourmet in the privatelounge of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

The team was delighted that a newcontract extension has been signed withSoutheastern. At Ashford and Margatethe staff have been selling the winterrange of products alongside familiarfavourites such as Shepherd Neameales. There was particular pride at theannouncement of Catherine Day fromMargate as the Rail Gourmet ‘Train Hostof the Year.’

A lot of changes have kept the team busyon Southern. The bakeries at Brightonand Victoria are now producing superbcheese twists as well as breakfastpastries. There are more new productsto come as the bakery at Brighton getsupgraded. The winter tariff is displayingwarming treats such as porridge and hotsoup as well as seasonal treats.

A new tariff has been launched, with newproducts and the introduction ofStarbucks cocoa to enhance ourStarbucks range. Also we are triallingcouscous from the Food Doctor as anambient savoury alternative tosandwiches, and we have added to ourfresh-baked range delicious cheesetwists, this will give a savoury product to sell from our trolleys along with thefresh-baked pastries we currently sell.There is also a plan to upgrade thebakery at Bournemouth to furtherdevelop the range.

Early in December, Virgin Trains securedan extension to their franchise on theWest Coast Mainline of up to 23 months.We congratulate our friends andcolleagues at Virgin and look forward toworking with them again this year.

I am delighted to report that MickeyPierce from our Preston service centrewas recently presented with our “ExtraMile” award. Mickey was put forward forthis award by Wendy Coleman, IRISadmin and compliance manager forVirgin Trains, for his work in carryingout minor repairs to their hand held PEDunits. Without these units customerscannot pay for goods on trains by creditor debit card so when they areunavailable it is a major inconvenience.Mickey took it upon himself to learn howto diagnose faults and carry out minorrepairs by talking to the supplier, therebyconsiderably reducing the amount oftime units are away being repaired

Mickey was also presented with giftvouchers and will receive our “ExtraMile” certificate – Well done Mickey!

The Arriva team is now offeringStarbucks Via coffee as well as its Caffiafilter product. A new menu for winterincludes soup, porridge, caramel waffleand a fabulous Lily O’Briens chocolatecookie to go with a Starbucks cocoa.

Rail Gourmet is very proud to besupplying products to the steam trainroute operating in the Weald betweenSheffield Park and Kingscote, with afurther stop at Horsted Keynes. The firstthrough train from London to SheffieldPark in nearly a century is expected torun on the 28th March 2013.

East Coast has entered external industrycatering awards; the Catey’s, in thecategory of ‘menu of the year’, and alsothe Midas awards in the category of‘travel’.

Rail Gourmet is also supporting EastCoast internal awards, which include acategory for ‘Chef d’ fantastic’, and alsoan award for the best Rail Gourmetservice centre, voted for by the EastCoast crews.

Rail Gourmet has been proudly servicingHull Trains’ product supply needs forboth its First Class and Standard offers.

Rail Gourmet is delighted to announcethat four of our onboard stewards havebeen nominated for a customer serviceaward by Irish Rail. It is a greatachievement and honour for each ofthese stewards to be recognised by notonly their peers but also the client.

In January we rolled out the next stageof the ‘2U’ concept. This included newmenus, uniforms, bar signage anddesign. On top of this a new customerservice training programme waslaunched. It is hoped with theintroduction of the next level we will see a rise in our sales onboard.

WALES

News fromthe Routes

Pendoline First Class Winter

One of the new menus.

Kim Bircham, CEO Rail Gourmet and WendyColeman, IRIS admin and compliance managerfor Virgin Trains, presenting Mickey with a framedcopy of his commendation.

Ending and starting the year on a food high!In the last quarter of 2012 First Great Western celebrated the culinary skillsand innovation of their on-board chefs ‘The Chef of the Year’ competition.

Following regional heats three worthy finalists came together in London to createsome amazing dishes, showing off their skill and passion for great food, creatingdishes suitable for on train service and customer taste from selected local products.Rail Gourmet was delighted to sponsor and support First Great Western in theplanning and management of this event, and our warm congratulations go to CordeliaChristophers whose delicious pork wellington led her to take the trophy and of courseto the runners up Brian Richards and Karen Roberts.

Our thanks also go to our fabulous suppliers who supported with a vast array ofproduct and our suppliers and judges who were able to join us at the final in Londonand helped us to create a very special atmosphere.

And into 2013 with another food high for First Great Western; launching the newPullman restaurant menu. Building on the current uniqueness of the Pullmanrestaurant service First Great Western has worked together with award winningrestaurateur and chef Mitch Tonks to bring a really special dining experience to thePullman restaurant services. Focusing on locally sourced products, increasing themenu choice to offer additional fabulous seafood dishes the new menu is proving ahit with the Pullman diners and Service team.

Going the Extra Mile Award To Mike Passey for his training support forthe Kings Cross service centre move.

The Booster AwardTo the Irish Rail Team for an impressive on-board performance.

Service Centre of the Year To Lewes Service Centre for exceptionally highMr Fletcher standards/100% ISO score.

Service Centre of the YearTo Paddington Service Centre for highoperating standards/can do attitude.

Rail Gourmet DayOn 16th November 2012 the Annual Rail Gourmet Day was held for thethird year, at the Clothworkers Hall, Dunster Court, London.

Kim Bircham took the opportunity to thank all those present, and the teams they represent, for theiroutstanding contribution in a very challenging year. Well done to all our Award Winners and thankyou for your contribution to Rail Gourmet.

Winners in their own right for being nominated to represent their route, are our ‘Host finalists’:Mark Collins (Portsmouth), Sarah Knowler (Portsmouth), Kim Uzoma (Sheffield), Neil Mattingley(Oxford), Steve Myatt (Ireland), Regina De Moura (Victoria).

Thanks also this year to John Brennan for taking the photographs.

Going the Extra Mile AwardTo Maurice Arthur for his business compliancesupport for the Kings Cross service centre move.

Mike Passey. Maurice Arthur.

name? name?

Members of the Rail Gourmet Irish Rail Team.

Catherine Day.

Members of the Comittee.

Paul Bettles, Manjit Khabra and Stuart Crane accepted the award on behalf of The UK Business.

Members of the Rail Gourmet Railrest Team.

Host of the YearTo Catherine Day, representing theSouthern Route, for winning the ‘trolley-off’!

Sharpening the SawTo the 6th P Committee for refreshing the oil in our machine – the process!

Leading from Every ChairTo The UK Business for the successful move to a new central distributor under challengingcircumstances.

Team of the Year AwardTo Railrest for negotiating a two year extension with Thalys.

Nick Hebborn.

Friend of Rail GourmetTo Nick Hebborn for all his support overthe years.

An SSP Company

RG Leeds – Five-a-side football team

Railstaff Awards NightA Rail Gourmet and Southeastern teamheaded to Birmingham to cheer on ourown Ian Ross, Train Host at Ashford in the Customer Service category of theRailstaff Awards.

Ian had been shortlisted as a finalist but didnot win on the night sadly. That said, what anachievement to join finalists from CrossCountry, London Midland, First Great Westernand Virgin Trains amongst others.

Thanks to all those who voted for Ian.

NEWS IN BRIEFCongratulations to the proud parents below:

Olatunde and Bukola Mahamud on the birth of their daughtercalled Maryam, born on the 30th January 2013.

Jenny Bamforth and partner Stephen on the birth of their soncalled Jacob, born on Sunday 2nd September 2012.

Shuaib and Ola Gomina on the birth of theirson called Khaled, born on the 26thSeptember 2012. (Pictured left.)

Marta Slowinska and partner Ismail on thebirth of their son called Adam, born on the14th November 2012. (Pictured left.)

Andy and Sarah Quinn on the birth of theirson called Liam Anthony, born on the 10thDecember 2012. (Pictured left.)

We are delighted to announce the following new roles:

Ciaran Foley Director, (Rail Gourmet UK and Ireland)Trevor McBride Account Manager, Irish RailRoger Williams Business Development Director, (Rail Gourmet)Ernst Vercruyce Contract Manager, South West TrainsMalcolm Ferris Service Centre Manager, BournemouthKirsty Domican Operations Manager, East Coast Route Max Kritzinger Supply Chain Manager, East Coast AccountJurgita Sapaite Deputy Manager, St. PancrasNeil Rutter Service Centre Manager, Oxley

We wish each and everyone of you every success in your new role.

The Queen’s Diamond JubileeDuring 2012, the whole country joined in celebrations for the The Queen’s Diamond

Jubilee. This included a variety of trips taken around the UK on-board the Royal Train

to the many special events held to honour Her Majesty’s 60 years as Monarch.

Below is a picture of the staff of the Royal Train with Her Majesty The Queen and HRH The Dukeof Edinburgh. This was taken on one of the journeys at Kemble Station as a special

acknowledgement of the work undertaken by staff from Rail Gourmet, DB Schenker, NetworkRail, Virgin Trains, the Royal Household and the Police, who all played a part in making sure thatthe Royal Party travelled in comfort to their destinations and arrived on time.

Members of Rail Gourmet's catering crew include Ken Moule, Guy Daley, David Small and Roger Williams. Staff who had worked on-board the train for over 5 years were also awarded ‘The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal’ in recognition of their service.

names please?

Rory Shield, received his long service award for 10years service in Sheffield. Congratulations Rory!

TEN YEARS SERVICE AWARDRail Gourmet’s five a side football team; Shane Geldard, DanMalton, John Horsfall, Chris Harker, and Paul Wright have justfinished top of Division 2 of the Monday League, and they did itwith one game to spare! – well done lads!