Intercity train operator Avanti West Coast has announced that it is to continue its partnership with a local patisserie to serve Eton Mess for its First Class customers.

Avanti is working with Beaumont Patisserie, which is based in the West Midlands, to add the dessert to its summer menu.

The dessert is made of strawberries, meringue and cream, and is named after the elite Eton College.

Beaumont expects to use about a tonne each of strawberries and cream in making the desserts.

Eton Mess has been on the menu since 1 July and will remain available until the autumn.

Avanti West Coast, whose Class 805 Evero fleet last month chalked up five million miles on the West Coast Main Line, started working with Beaumont Patisserie in 2022, after Birmingham had hosted the Commonwealth Games.

The company was founded in 2015 Yavor Kostadinov, a former Head Baker and Head Chef who has more than 35 years’ experience in the food industry.

In the four years that Beaumont has been supplying it with onboard desserts, Avanti has found them to be popular with passengers. Previous puddings have included Apple and Blueberry Crumble, and Tangy Lemon and Elderflower Posset.

Beaumont also supplies cakes to the London Euston station’s First Class Lounge. These are served as part of afternoon tea, and include mini strawberry choux buns, key lime pies, and award-winning cheese and tomato cruffins.

“Building upon our four-year long working relationship with the award-winning Beaumont Patisserie, we are pleased to team up once again to deliver a unique, special dessert for First Class customers this summer.

“Yavor and his small team are renowned across the West Midlands for their delicious, top-quality cakes and sweet treats, and I am pleased to see this new Eton Mess to be served onboard.

“We take great pride in working in partnership with food and drink suppliers along our route, building on our commitment to champion their businesses and deliver exclusive, top quality items direct to our customers.”

Rob Taylor, Food and Beverage Development Manager at Avanti West Coast