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Fancy a traditional Kaiseki gourmet meal at 35,000 feet? Or some Nalli Nihari lamb shank? How about a fancy Shahi Thali? I have always admired the variety and detail of the in-flight dining onboard Singapore Airlines.
The news that has me excited is that Singapore Airlines has finally introduced its famous Book The Cook meal service on its flights originating from Mumbai and New Delhi.
What is Book The Cook?
Book The Cook (BTC) allows passengers in Premium Economy, Business, First and Suites classes to pre-order their choice of entrée or main-course for a customised dining experience onboard.
As a frequent flier, I am often unpleasantly surprised by the regular menu, and forced to compromise on my meal. Book The Cook allows my foodie-self to choose my gourmet main course, and on a long flight, I love the predictability provided. If I had a hectic time prior to my flight, I prefer the light flavours of my favourite Singapore Hainanese Chicken Rice. For something more filling I opt for the Chinese Chicken Curry with buns.
20 airports world-wide
In addition to Mumbai and New Delhi, this service is offered on flights originating from 18 other stations. Auckland, Beijing, Canberra, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Melbourne, New York JFK, Paris, San Francisco, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo Haneda, Tokyo Narita, and Zurich.
The menu varies by station. Ex-Singapore, the Book The Cook menu features 69 dishes. 20 western choices, 4 Japanese, 5 Chinese, 15 Singaporean, 3 Malay, 3 Thai, 4 Indian, and 15 healthy and wholesome dishes. You can browse the menu by station and by class by clicking on this link.
Book The Cook Menu ex-Mumbai and Delhi
Singapore Airlines is experimenting with the menu and observing the off-take of the BTC service, so the menu is common to both Mumbai and New Delhi.
Suites, First, and Business class
The menu is common for now as the airline gauges the adoption of the program.
Ex-Mumbai and Delhi in Suites, First and Business the menu includes:
- Lobster Thermidor with Rice and Asparagus
- Lobster thermidor with saffron rice, accompanied by buttered asparagus and oven roasted cherry tomatoes
- Herb Crusted Lamb Chop
- Served with thyme jus, gratin potatoes and grilled vegetables
- Chicken Glass Noodle Soup
- Glass noodles served with chicken soup, chicken slices and Chinese vegetables
- Chilli Basil Prawn
- Served with steamed jasmine rice, bak choy and black mushroom
- Black Pepper Chicken
- Served with steamed jasmine rice and stir-fried Chinese greens
- Butter Chicken with Peas Pulao
- Served with lasooni palak, naan and mint raita
- Mutton Biryani
- Tender mutton cooked with biryani rice served with tadka dal, shammi kebabs and murrani raita
- Chicken Tikka Masala with Jeera Dhania Pulao
- Served with dal maharani, bhindi do pyaza and accompaniments
- Tandoori Murg Leg with Bone
- Clay oven roasted whole chicken leg served with garlic naan, onions and mint sauce
- Assorted Tandoori Meat Kebabs
- Chicken tikka, prawn tikka and lamb kebabs roasted in clay oven and served with laccha paratha, onions and mint sauce
- Chicken Kathi Rolls
- Served with fried aloo chat, yoghurt mint sauce and onion laccha
- Chicken Keema
- Served with plain paratha, mint raita and katchumber salad
- Paneer Tikka Masala
- Served with elaichi pulao, lassoni malai moong, gobhi matar and accompaniments
- Kabuli Paneer Biryani
- Served with dal makhani, paneer tikka and mint raita
- Assorted Tandoori Vegetable Kebabs
- Paneer tikka, cauliflower tikka and assorted vegetable kebabs cooked in clay oven and served with laccha paratha, onions and mint sauce
- Paneer Kathi Rolls
- Served with fried aloo chat, yoghurt mint sauce and onion laccha
Premium Economy class
The Premium Economy class menu is slightly different from the Suites/First and Business menu. All the choices are indicated below.
- Five Spice Lamb
- Served with gratin potatoes and grilled vegetables
- Butter Chicken with Peas Pulao
- Served with dal makhani, naan and mint raita
- Mutton Biryani
- Tender mutton cooked with biryani rice, served with tadka dal, shammi kebabs and burrani raita
- Chicken Tikka Masala with Rice Pulao Lentil
- Served with jeera dhania pulao, dal maharani, mint raita and naan
- Tandoori Murg Leg with Bone
- Clay oven roasted whole chicken leg served with garlic naan and mint sauce
- Chicken Kathi Roll with Mint Sauce
- Chicken kathi served with fried aloo chat and yoghurt mint sauce
- Chicken Keema with Plain Paratha
- Chicken mince cooked with aromatic herbs , served with plain paratha, mint raita and katchumber salad
- Kabuli Paneer Biryani
- Chick peas and cottage cheese biryani, served with dal makhani, paneer tikka and mint raita
- Paneer Tikka Masala
- Served with elaichi pulao, malai moong dal, naan & mint raita
- Assorted Clay Oven Tandoori Vegetable Kebabs
- Paneer tikka, cauliflower tikka and mixed vegetable sheekh kebabs served with laccha paratha and mint sauce
- Paneer Kathi Roll
- Served with fried aloo chat and yoghurt mint sauce
How to reserve a Book The Cook meal
You can reserve your Book The Cook meal up to 24 hours in advance of your flight. Visit the Book The Cook page and make your choice from the station-specific menu.
After choosing your dish, return to the main page and click on the “Select a Book The Cook meal”. This will take you to the “Manage Your Booking” page. Enter the details and you can then select your meal for each of your flights.
Share your feedback
Have you used the Book The Cook service? Share your feedback. Do you think this service will catch on? How should the airline reach out to the premium class passengers to promote this service?
Share your thoughts via a comment.
