Book the Cook- Recommendations

[MathNerd]

The check-in staff joked that this is the new Non-Discriminative and All-Inclusive Initiative by Australian Airports to make F / J Pax feel like part of crowd.

Haha, I laughed out loud at this. It wouldn't cost them much more to have some "premium"-looking BPs, especially out of MEL which I presume is a large market for SQ (I mean they have 5 flights a day MEL-SIN so clearly MEL matters to SQ).

The reason they cheap out on BPs is very bad (especially if you're connecting to another flight so that flight's BPs also get the all-white treatment, unless you take the time and effort and energy, as CE said above, to get the onwards flight BP reprinted at SIN with the correct "livery").

Call me OCD/paranoid/entitled etc but the point (pardon the pun) still stands - when shelling out exorbitant amounts of money/points you want every part of the experience to be the best it can be: after all, some (myself included) like to keep BPs as a memento. For a lot of people, flying in Suites is something they'd only get to do once in their lives, maybe twice if they're lucky, simply due to the fact that they just don't have the disposable cash to do so and/or don't have the mammoth spend (read: points earn) that is attached to running a business.

My first ever SQ Suites flight was the one that kicked off the honeymoon with the wife, and having that all-white BP did cheapen the experience. Whilst I still have kept the BP, looking back on it, I'm sure it won't get the same "wow" factor.

FWP, I know.

 

[Mr H]

The check-in staff joked that this is the new Non-Discriminative and All-Inclusive Initiative by Australian Airports to make F / J Pax feel like part of crowd.

Maybe SQ misunderstood the White Australia Policy.

 

[get me outta here]

Back to SQ food now ... ?

 

[amaroo]

How far out from departure should one decide to BTC? Also, is CDG a good departure point for BTC or would SIN be better?

 

[Mr H]

You can book a few months ahead of schedule. I assume BTC options are prepared by the same people who prepare the regular meals - so although some stations will do better meals than others, the BTC would be the same quality as the menu offerings on any given flight.

First class catering is usually better than economy, but some way behind even a moderate restaurant. They create a wow factor by using expensive sounding ingredients like lobster and caviar but the preparation is usually quite ordinary and the dining environment sub-optimal.

BTC just lets you be confident that there will be a main course you like - not that it will be a life-changing experience.

 

[amaroo]

You can book a few months ahead of schedule. I assume BTC options are prepared by the same people who prepare the regular meals - so although some stations will do better meals than others, the BTC would be the same quality as the menu offerings on any given flight.

First class catering is usually better than economy, but some way behind even a moderate restaurant. They create a wow factor by using expensive sounding ingredients like lobster and caviar but the preparation is usually quite ordinary and the dining environment sub-optimal.

BTC just lets you be confident that there will be a main course you like - not that it will be a life-changing experience.

Thanks @Mr H I'll check out the options and see if anything tickles my fancy.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

‘A few months ahead’ is a bit of a stretch - SQ menus are seasonal and hence you cannot book that far out - TBH I rarely BTC - but I think the time frame might be 2 mths but I might still be wrong - others may know more.

I would advise you check T-7days - ATPIT you will be able to check onboard meal and make an informed decision.

As always YMMV - never forget SQ R/F pax will be treated like Queens and Kings - BTC and change your mind? No probs - just take the onboard meal which will be readily supplied.

We have Suites booked SYD-SIN-ZRH Jun 9 - onboard menu available for viewing from Apr 30 - see here:

 

[Irishbazz]

‘A few months ahead’ is a bit of a stretch - SQ menus are seasonal and hence you cannot book that far out - TBH I rarely BTC - but I think the time frame might be 2 mths but I might still be wrong.

Just completed BTC for a trip end of August today, so certainly available four months in advance.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Just completed BTC for a trip end of August today, so certainly available four months in advance.

Ah ok - as I said a rarely BTC so I don’t really know but still a little surprised it is that far out.

I remember a few years back I did try to BTC LT a fair way out and could not do so - call to KF and was advised BTC time frame aligned with release of seasonal menus but clearly that may well have changed.

Change of pace - it appears some serious tweaks to SQ web site last day or so and now working a whole bunch faster than previously.

 

[MathNerd]

Change of pace - it appears some serious tweaks to SQ web site last day or so and appears to be working a whole bunch more quicker than previously.

Wow - it's so much better now!

 

[amaroo]

Cool, I'm only weeks out so it all should be current.

 

[Blinky]

We are taking off in about three weeks, so will BTC in the next day or so.

 

[Blinky]

We are taking off in about three weeks, so will BTC in the next day or so

 

[amaroo]

I've had a look - not sure the selection stands up to QF standards

 

[andy2015]

I've had a look - not sure the selection stands up to QF standards

My opinion: lobster was disgusting. I wouldn't risk ordering it again. Every meal ordered from the "wholesome" range was really good. I plan on sticking to those meals on my upcoming trip.

 

[get me outta here]

I’ve had the lobster out of Aus a few times and it was fine, quite tasty. However, I wouldn’t order it out of say the EU, and will move on this time, in a couple of weeks to check out the wholesome menu.

 

[LadyC]

I have had a few meals from the wholesome range and enjoyed them too.

 

[MathNerd]

I’ve had the lobster out of Aus a few times and it was fine, quite tasty. However, I wouldn’t order it out of say the EU, and will move on this time, in a couple of weeks to check out the wholesome menu.

My wife had the lobster ex-MEL and enjoyed it, though it was her first lobster experience so didn't have a yardstick to compare it to.
Next time we fly Suites I'll ask her opinion (I'm not a seafood kinda guy so avoid lobster haha).

 

[SponsorSFC]

The WA Rock Lobster Thermidor out of PER was better than the (still very good) Classic Lobster Thermidor I had out of SIN. Both were in J.

 

[get me outta here]

Trying to imagine this BTC soufflé description:
Wholesome Red Lentil Souffle with Farro Salad
Farro and avocado Salad with red lentil souffle in red capsicum, lime and jalapeno dressing