(27 Aug 2015, 4:12 pm)8222 wrote Is it for all classes, or just First? 

It seems a far more customer-orientated service and far better than the trolley. I wonder how they are going to deliver them and what the practicalities are for service on board, especially if it's a full service (as so often the EDI-PLY route is). I still think it's a shame they did away with the shop. It was always nice to go and wander for a stretch of the legs.

As aureolin mentioned, it looks like it is available in standard.
However, I am not sure I would want to be tucking into a salmon fillet whilst on a crowded XC, that smells a bit suss.

(27 Aug 2015, 4:21 pm)aureolin wrote Looks to be standard, because the food and drink is complimentary in first? It's only on the Edinburgh-Plymouth and Manchester-Bournemouth routes though.

Last time I did first on XC, it was just a hot drink and biscuit. No hot meals or sandwiches - or salmon.
They do hot sandwiches like bacon rolls (nuked in a microwave jobbies).

(27 Aug 2015, 4:39 pm)8222 wrote That's what you would think. Does anyone else offer such a service? It's going to trump a lot of operators! Smart move from Cross Country! 

My only concern is how it will be carried out. A bit different, but BA started a similar choose your food before you fly service for World Traveller on a few routes. It was available on both flights I was on over the summer, and it just seemed a bit clumsy as the trays were carried out rather than put out on trollies. I hope they use a trolly or bag it, otherwise I can see food going everywhere...

I have no idea how they will sort it.
The bacon sandwich I mentioned above, was ordered via the trolly person (can't remember their official title) and brought through the train by the person working in first class.
Not sure how the trollies would work on a busy train, especially for one meal for a bloke sitting in the quiet coach.

(27 Aug 2015, 4:42 pm)aureolin wrote It'll be interesting to see how it takes off. I just hope it's not to reduce the staff, as I find on board staff already seem to be at a bare minimum.

I think just about every TOC could do a lot more when it comes to catering. It's expensive and often poor quality. I generally pop into a station shop before I board, as most of them now do a meal deal of some sort, which tends to be a lot nicer! It's also a gripe of mine that they try and serve you warm 'chilled' drinks.

Conductor, first class attendant and trolly person - even on the HST's. Not sure if it is double crew on a doubled up Voyager.