‘Madonna chef’ is on the right tracks
A chef who once cooked for Madonna, Rod Stewart and the Royal Family has devised a special slap-up menu for champagne-sipping passengers when Britain’s poshest train visits Telford next month.
Brian Clark has just been appointed Director of Food and Beverages aboard the 1930s Pullman-style Northern Belle, which once formed part of the iconic Orient Express group.
Now he is putting together a six-course dinner fit for a king when the train sets out from Telford for a steam-hauled journey over the picturesque Settle-Carlisle line on Saturday, April 19
The meal will start with caviar and end with the Northern Belle’s award-winning Great British Cheese Board – all washed down with some of the finest wines and champagne.
And passengers will be serenaded by the train’s own musicians as they dine, while a conjuror wanders from table to table to add his own touch of magic to the occasion.
A spokesman said: “The train will be hauled by an historic steam locomotive called Tangmere, which used to take crack express trains like the Atlantic Coast Express and Bournemouth Belle from London.
“It promises to be an unforgettable trip through the Yorkshire Dales, some of Britain’s most beautiful countryside.”
A red carpet will be laid across the platform at Telford Central as passengers embark before the journey begins at 7.35am on April 12.
The train will then pick up more passengers from Shrewsbury (8am), Wrexham General (8.40) and Chester (9.05).
A three-course champagne brunch will be served during the outward journey to Carlisle where there will just be enough time to visit the medieval castle or the 12th century Norman cathedral.
Then after another champagne reception, dinner will be served as the train steams to Settle, crossing the magnificent Ribblehead Viaduct on the way before finally arriving back in Telford at 9.40.
The Northern Belle will make two more steam-hauled trips from the town over the same route in September and November. Fares on the train start at £365. For more details, see www.northernbelle.co.uk
