The British Pullman, A Belmond Train, England has unveiled a new dining initiative: the Celebrity Chef Dinner Series. Launching with four special journeys beginning April 18, each trip will feature a bespoke menu created by some of the United Kingdom’s most celebrated Michelin-starred chefs, including Andrew Wong, Atul Kochhar, Phil Howard and Theo Randall.
© British Pullman, A Belmond Train, England
Each evening will present a seasonal five-course tasting menu, beginning with a Champagne reception and paired wines selected by the train’s sommelier. Meals conclude with coffee, petit fours and a personal visit from the guest chef, giving diners a chance to discuss the food and inspiration behind the menu. Theo Randall opens the series on April 18 with a menu focused on spring produce and Italian influences.
“Having had the pleasure of cooking on the Pullman train, I am looking forward to returning. Being surrounded by the history and amazing stories from the likes of Laurence Olivier and Oscar Wilde, the thought of cooking in the British Pullman kitchen and stepping back in time to take in the sheer craftsmanship of these handmade antique carriages is an incredible feeling,” Randall said. “I will be cooking a unique menu which will feature the best springtime seasonal ingredients. This is going to be a very special day! I can’t wait.”
Randall is known for produce-driven Italian dishes that highlight fresh ingredients and simple, bold flavours. Phil Howard follows on May 22. A chef who has held two Michelin stars for more than 17 years, Howard is recognised for refined French cuisine that balances technique with seasonal ingredients.
© British Pullman, A Belmond Train, England
“I thrive on the challenge of working with new ingredients, exploring new cultures, and catering to new diners. However, one place I have never cooked on is a train, so it is only fitting that my first experience had to be the British Pullman train! My cooking is about finding the perfect harmony in simple flavors with perfect seasonality,” Howard said. “This train and its history are the perfect backdrop for that, and I look forward to meeting all the guests and seeing the light in their eyes as they savor each dish!”
On June 13, Chef Andrew Wong will present a menu celebrating regional Chinese cuisine with a focus on craftsmanship and the culinary traditions that span millennia. Wong aims to combine British produce with Chinese techniques to reflect both local ingredients and the long history of Chinese gastronomy present in the UK.
“Our cuisine celebrates three fundamental elements: the craft, cuisine, and table culture of China’s 3,000-year-old gastronomic heritage. In Britain, we are fortunate to have a rich history of Chinese cuisine, and my cooking aims to honor this by using local British ingredients combined with the techniques and artisanal skills passed down from our forefathers to bridge the two,” Wong said. “Many aspects of the train and the journey hold a significance for everyone in Britain, and it is a great pleasure to cook for the first time and share this cuisine within a setting that’s a historic part of British culture.”
The series concludes on October 24 with Chef Atul Kochhar, a leading figure in modern British Indian cuisine, who will design a menu reflecting his contemporary approach to Indian flavours and ingredients.
Across all four departures, diners can expect carefully curated seasonal dishes, thoughtful wine pairings and the rare opportunity to meet the chefs behind each menu. The Celebrity Chef Dinner Series adds a culinary dimension to the Pullman’s celebrated journeys, blending historic ambience with the creativity of today’s top chefs.