A British Pullman car identical to the one on which we travelled, showing the armchaired tables for two.
So often I am asked which have been my most memorable meals. I often disappoint the questioner. I recall so many, but mostly they were not at banquets or Michelin-starred restaurants. Instead a moment or an incident etched a meal on my mind. One that vividly stands out was taken long ago in 1966 on an early evening train from the south-coast of England to London, returning from a visit to my parents with my daughter Susanna, aged about five. The electric train, four coaches long had a single chocolate and cream painted Pullman car inserted between green Southern Region British Rail passenger carriages, which offered extra comfort and refreshments from a small kitchen. A modest supplementary fare was payable. We repaired to that and in solitary splendour sat in gorgeous big beautifully upholstered arm chairs, surrounded by Edwardian-style inlaid-wood, deep carpets and individual lamps.
An elderly waiter in a short white jacket, white shirt, bow tie and black trousers appeared to ask if we wanted anything. Was there some supper? I enquired. “Unfortunately, sir”, he replied (there was politeness in those days), there is no chef on board tonight, but I can make you poached eggs on toast”. I accepted the offer, and around ten minutes later he brought two large white plates on each of which reposed some fine toast and two poached eggs. He placed them carefully on the table, set with the huge and heavy silver cutlery of a by-gone Pullman age. My little girl sat up on the edge of her seat, hoisted the vast knife and fork into her hands and set about the poached eggs on toast. The elderly waiter stood behind her in the doorway and watched her eat, carefully and methodically, every morsel. A tender smile spread across his features. She’s paid her own tribute to the cook, I thought.
A memorable meal, indeed.
My daughter at about the same time of the story. From the time she could first eat she has always enjoyed her food and drink and was also a willing helper in the photographs I was taking for food and drink articles – in this case a non-alcoholic bottle.
