Book the Cook

[Duffa]

I think I figured out where the "negative enhancements" are lurking, now that we have those incredible suites in both F and J on the A380
Have a look at the breakfast options on "Book the Cook" out of AMS on A350-900 in J !




Shouldn't cost the airline too much..................

 

[pilotsh]

Hello everyone,

Have previously booked the cook in J, but this time redeemed points for my first flight in SQ First class. From the website the BtC meals are the same in First and Business.

Should I still book the cook, or just go with the First Class flow? A bit of research tells me that booking BtC but then asking for it during the small service might be the way to go?

Thanks!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hello everyone,

Have previously booked the cook in J, but this time redeemed points for my first flight in SQ First class. From the website the BtC meals are the same in First and Business.

Should I still book the cook, or just go with the First Class flow? A bit of research tells me that booking BtC but then asking for it during the small service might be the way to go?

Thanks!

Depending on the deaprture point the BTC for F class can be quite a bit different - mainly upgraded ingredients, and in some cases extra dishes.

For me spending a bit of time reading the menu and putting something together is more interesting than choosing BTC, which can sometimes be disappointing (probably that my expectations and anticipation were too high).

 

[LadyC]

The other thing to note is that the menu for the flight is usually available 3-4 weeks beforehand so you can always check and see if there is anything you think you may like from the regular menu and if not, then BTC.

 

[lonewolf]

Hi Guys,

First time flying in J, heard people recommend using book the cook incase you run out of food choices for IFM (Is that how you say In flight menu?) . I searched here for some threads on book the cook, I was wondering if there is a website that talks / reviews a lot of the options in book the cook. Also I didnt see a option for Lobster Thermidor from Sydney - SQ for my first departure flight.

Also what recommendations of alcohol should i try? is it champagne or something thats best to try out? I know some people always say its the Dom to try out in First class.

 

[Scr77]

I’m not much of a red drinker, but always love it on SQ. Probably because it’s much more expensive than anything I would normally pay for.

Try whatever food takes your fancy. I’ve never paid too much attention to the food reviews, just mix it up and try dishes you don’t normally have access to.

 

[Hillbilly64]

J has a more limited Book The Cook menu on flights departing Aus. You can get Lobster Thermidor in F, but not in J out of Australia.

Flights out of Singapore offer a much greater book the cook selection.

I can't help with recommendations - (first SIN trip in F booked in August.)

You ALWAYS need to try the champagne!

 

[MathNerd]

I was wondering if there is a website that talks / reviews a lot of the options in book the cook.

Book the Cook- Recommendations is your holy grail.
There's also one on FT (not sure if I can post this, mods please delete if inappropriate).

 

[LadyC]

It's worth noting that the IFM is usually available about 4-6 weeks before your flight, so you can have a look and see both the IFM and book the cook options and choose whatever suits you better.

 

[goldenhorn]

I used BTC on a SQ J flight SIN-SYD at the end of last year and ordered the Lobster.

It was fantastic and I got served before many others on the flight.

I love their Charles Heidsieck Champagne. also had a couple of Singapore Slings, but sadly they come out of a can and are not mixed fresh in the galley.

 

[umberloidster]

Agreed with the above! Check the menu once it gets posted for your flight and go with what takes your fancy.

I've only flown J a handful of times, the only time I felt let down with BTC was a sushi bowl thing that was just weird. Otherwise things like eggs benedict just seem a tad too rich.

As for the grog, I can certainly recommend champagne on the ground, a bloody mary after takeoff, then get stuck into whatever wines take your fancy. Unless you have far more commitment to the cause than I do, you'll struggle to try them all

 

[BCons]

SQ usually have an Aust shiraz and French bordeaux ex Aust, plus champagne and an Intl variety of 2-3 whites. Nearly always a NZ Sav Blanc plus plus. try them all...

 

[dajop]

And if coughtails are your thing, they have a few on offer on board as well. In my days gone past (I don't fly much in J these days), wouldn't be uncommon to have a Singapore Sling or three before the meal came out.

 

[MathNerd]

It's worth noting that the IFM is usually available about 4-6 weeks before your flight, so you can have a look and see both the IFM and book the cook options and choose whatever suits you better.

I read IFM as "In Flight Manager". I need to get my head checked

 

[Stealthflyer]

I had my first J SQ flight late last year and I agonised over whether I should use BTC. In the end, I decided that half the fun of plane meals is reading the menu and deciding what to have, and so I went with the mystery option. No regrets.

As for alcohol, normally on planes I go for G&T because economy wine is terrible. With a considerably more sophisticated J wine list, I decided to try a few wines that I wouldn’t normally drink (including a nice sticky). My recommendation is to have the champagne on take off but have a look at the wine list before deciding on your next.

Enjoy your flight!

 

[LadyC]

I read IFM as "In Flight Manager". I need to get my head checked

Now that would be service!

 

[ninja-tim]

Have a look at the Sqtalk forum as well.

I would have to say BTC meals, along with any meals on flights are not consistent. So one review may suggest one meal is amazing but it really depends on how well it was cooked pre-flight and how well it's cooked during flight.

 

[BCons]

My wife once did BTC, selecting a salmon main course, only to find the entree was salmon done 3 ways... she hasn’t usedBTC since..

 

[sydunipete]

I fly SQ J several times a year long-haul and I've always been satisfied. I try to sit in the front cabin and I've never missed out on my first choice. I've used BTC a few times - the Beef Randang was great, the lobster dish not so great. The wine list is really quite adequate, you're not going to get a Bordeaux First Growth but the selection is well thought out I've never turned a glass away.

If you're interested in coughtails, I quite like the SilverKris Sling. It's very sugary but it's a bit of fun.

In first class you can have a Dom Vs Krug shoot out.

 

[dajop]

In first class you can have a Dom Vs Krug shoot out.

Depending on route and month could also be the Tattinger Comtes.