Eurostar appoints Raymond Blanc as its Culinary Director

Eurostar announces the appointment of world-renowned Michelin-starred chef, Raymond Blanc, OBE as its Culinary Director. The new gastronomic partnership will see Raymond share his passion for promoting the very best in sustainable and seasonal food with Eurostar’s Business Premier passengers.

The announcement is supported by new research from YouGov which reveals that despite the prevailing economic downturn, over half (53%) of business travellers surveyed say the economic climate has had no effect on their travel for business abroad and 8% say they travel abroad for business more.

And while it’s good news that the wheels of British business are literally still turning, it appears it’s not such good news for business travellers themselves. The research also highlighted that over a third (34%) rated the quality of the meals they were served when travelling for business as below average.

When questioned further, these same travellers stressed the importance of good food and service on-board alongside more traditional considerations such as price and journey time. Just over two-thirds (67%) said sustainability was important to them, when it comes to things such as eating sustainably sourced, seasonal and organic food, while over a third (35%) revealed that presentation of food was an important factor.

Raymond Blanc pictured at Eurostar Platform in London's St Pancras International train station.

All aboard for sustainabilty and family recipes from Raymond Blanc at Eurostar Platform in London’s St Pancras

With this in mind, Raymond Blanc is collaborating closely with Eurostar’s catering suppliers to help transform travellers’ perceptions of on-board catering. As a result of his ongoing direction and work with Eurostar’s suppliers in Belgium, the UK and France, his new and exclusive Business Premier menus have been created to be innovative, seasonal and sustainable and feature several Blanc family recipes such as mackerel salad and chocolate delice with praline custard.

The YouGov research also uncovered some of the ‘guilty pleasures’ business travellers have done whilst travelling on business.

Top 5 travel ‘guilty pleasures’

1. Enjoyed an alcoholic drink or two on the way back from the business trip (47%)
2. Putting headphones in or shutting eyes to avoid talking to the person next to you (40%)
3. Getting stuck into complimentary magazines and newspapers (29%)
4. Having a snooze when you should have been checking your emails (24%)
5. Using bad signal as an excuse to ignore phone calls (15%)

In 2012, Eurostar became the first transport provider to join the Sustainable Restaurant Association and it will be rated over the coming months on its on-board catering. This commitment to achieving culinary excellence has followed on from a raft of other innovations to its Business Premier class including; the introduction of guaranteed boarding, quiet coaches and a new on-board taxi booking service. With fully flexible fares, Business Premier customers have a 10 minute express check-in, business lounge access, plus complimentary drinks and fine dining.

For more information about Eurostar Business Premier or to book Eurostar tickets visit www.eurostar.com or call 08432 186 186.

All aboard!

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