Set to make it inaugural journey in July, the ‘pioneering’ locomotive will ‘fuse a celebration of timeless rail heritage with contemporary British gastronomy, culture, and style’.
The Britannic Explorer will depart from London, offering three-night journeys with a choice of three routes through either Cornwall, The Lake District or Wales.
Each of the three routes will feature distinct afternoon tea, lunch and dinner menus that are designed to highlight the ‘finest local specialties’ ensuring ‘every meal is a true reflection of Britain’s culinary heritage’.
Traditional British ingredients will be celebrated throughout, with options including Lincolnshire smoked eel on toasted rye bread and savoury crop-rotation porridge featuring wild mushrooms and seasonal brassicas from local farms.
Luxury accommodation aboard The Britannic Explorer starts from £11,000 based on a double cabin to include a three-night itinerary, excursions, meals, wine and alcoholic beverages on board.
Belmond already operates two luxury trains, the British Pullman and the Royal Scotsman.
Its portfolio of UK hotels includes Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire and The Cadogan in London.
“We’re in the final phase of refining our dishes for the Britannic Explorer menu and it’s been a hugely enjoyable process,” Rogan says. “Sven is a highly accomplished chef who shares our ethos and knowledge for produce, so his appointment as executive chef was the perfect solution. Guests will be in the best possible hands as they enjoy their dining experience on the train.”
With a CV that includes The Ritz and Blue Hill Farm in New York.
The chef launched his debut solo restaurant Oxeye in 2021 but closed it less than two years later.
He was most recently employed as head chef at Monica Galetti’s Fitzrovia restaurant Mere, which has also now closed.