Singapore Airlines - Best Book the Cook Meals

Singapore Airlines - Best Book the Cook Meals

When flying First or Business Class on Singapore Airlines out of most major airports, you may 'Book the Cook' (BTC) to select a specific meal to be served on your flight. Here are some of the favorite BTC dishes that I've had over the years.
Aaron 02 Dec 2014   ⋅   23,838 views   ⋅  1 favorite
  • Grilled Chilean Seabass

    While I am not a big fan of the sauce (i generally stay away from cream sauce as they make me fat lol), you can't go wrong with this one. The problem with the other BTC dishes is that there is a chance that they may turn out overcooked (in the case of red meats). Well frankly, for fish, even if it's overcooked, it's still edible per se.
    steffdarling 29 May 2015
    Like ⋅ 1 like
  • Grilled Beef Fillet

    Thumbs up.... Enjoyed it, much better then the boston lobster
    Agentkaya 29 May 2015
    Like ⋅ 1 like
  • Grilled Beef Fillet

    While not as amazing as the previous beef dish I had in August 2013, this was nonetheless very good for a steak in the sky.

    Seared sirloin in cabernet sauce, creamed parmesan cheese spinach and roesti potatoes.
    NRT-SIN (April 2014, Suites Class)
    Aaron 02 Dec 2014
  • Roast Rack of Lamb

    I've heard many people rave about SQs Rack of Lamb on First Class, and was excited to finally give it a try. The verdict? It blew away any and all expectations I had of what was possible for an in-flight meal. This is one of the best lamb dishes I've had - in-flight or otherwise - and I would order it again in a heartbeat if given the choice. The photo tells it all, this dish has earned its place as the de-facto recommendation for F BTC.

    Roast Rack of Lamb
    SIN-NRT (April 2014, First Class)
    Aaron 02 Dec 2014
  • Grilled Beef Fillet

    This was by far the best beef I've had in the sky. While quite similar in presentation to the others, the done-ness was superb and it was incredibly tender, juicy, and flavorful. I wish I had taken a photo of the inside to show how perfect it was cooked, but I just couldn't stop eating! I would be delighted to have this again, even in a restaurant.

    HKG-SIN (Aug 2013, Business Class)
    Aaron 02 Dec 2014
  • Grilled Chilean Seabass

    One would think that I would get bored of this dish after having it so many times, but it is by far my favorite (and this coming from someone who otherwise far prefers meat to fish). The last time I had this was on a flight less than a week prior, which speaks to how great it is. I've yet to find a restaurant that serves a comparable Chilean Seabass.

    SIN-PVG (Dec 2012, Business Class)
    Aaron 02 Dec 2014
  • Grilled Beef Fillet

    Though I think this may have been off the menu, it is definitely similar to some of the BTC beef options I've had on other flights. SQ is one of the few carriers where the in-flight beef is comparable to restaurant quality, so I would definitely suggest it for the meat-lovers!

    Grilled beef fillet w/ thyme juice, buttered seasonal vegetables and potatoes.
    HKG-SIN (Dec 2012, Business Class)
    Aaron 02 Dec 2014
  • Grilled Chilean Seabass

    While I like to try different new options on different routes, sometimes I just want to ensure I'll have a great meal and not gamble. In such cases, Grilled Chilean Seabass is the #1 choice. I think this particular meal (lunch) has been the best rendition of the dish so far.

    SIN-HKG (Dec 2012, Business Class)
    Aaron 02 Dec 2014
  • Grilled Chilean Seabass

    I booked the cook for Grilled Chilean Seabass on my first ever flight on SQ Business Class and it has been my go-to choice ever since. Over dozens of subsequent orders it hasn't failed me once!

    SIN-NRT (May 2011)
    Aaron 02 Dec 2014
  • Boston Lobster Thermidor

    Despite my warnings that the dish was lackluster, my girlfriend insisted on ordering the Lobster Thermidor BTC on our way back from Japan. However, we were pleasantly surprised when it arrived and I was proven wrong - the dish was actually quite good. Though not on par with the best offerings on SQs menu, she found the meal quite satisfying.

    Boston Lobster Thermidor
    NRT-SIN (April 2014, Suites Class)
    Aaron 02 Dec 2014
    Like ⋅ 1 like
  • Kyo-kaiseki

    My girlfriend had this for breakfast on a morning flight, so it was only 3-courses (the lunch and dinner portions are significantly larger). I had a few bites of each course and was quite happy with the variety and quality of food. Definitely a great experience if you haven't tried it before, or if you simply like to try a bit of everything.

    Course 1, Kyo-kaiseki
    SIN-NRT (April 2014, First Class)
    Aaron 02 Dec 2014
  • Grilled Beef Fillet

    Another dish off the menu, but again fairly similar to other beef fillet offerings. This one wasn't up to the standard of the other meals as it was a bit tough, but perhaps the departure city (Shanghai) or it being an overnight flight had to do with it. It fulfilled my meat craving, but that was about it.

    Seared beef fillet with bordelaise sauce, polenta sticks, baby arugula salad.
    PVG-SIN (May 2013, Business Class)
    Aaron 02 Dec 2014
  • Boston Lobster Thermidor

    Tried this dish on my first flight out to Korea. Not something to shout out on neither was it bad too... Felt was just slightly above average.
    Agentkaya 29 May 2015
    Like ⋅ 1 like
  • Boston Lobster Thermidor

    Lobster Thermidor is usually one of the first choices when flying premium cabins for the first few times, given how luxurious it sounds to be having lobster at 30,000 feet over the sea. I had put it off for a while, but my virgin-lobster in-flight experience was not great. On-board, the meat gets a little dry and tough, and much less tasty than on the ground. Other frequent flyers agree, don't go for lobster other than the novelty of it.

    Boston Lobster Thermidor
    SIN-DEL (July 2013, First Class)
    Aaron 02 Dec 2014
    Like ⋅ 1 like
  • Seared Lamb Chop/Loin

    This dish was ordered off the menu, however this time it was in First Class. Despite the hype, I was quite disappointed at the texture and done-ness of it; it wasn't nearly as tender as the ones I've had in the past, and I can't recommend anyone flying out of India to go for meat dishes.

    Lamb loin with thyme sauce, roasted vegetable and leek potato gratin
    DEL-SIN (August 2013, First Class)
    Aaron 02 Dec 2014
  • Seared Lamb Chop/Loin

    While not the best meal I've had on SQ, it was fairly good given the route (departing Bangkok on a short-haul flight on the 777-200). The lamb was decent, which is about all one could ask for on a flight like this.

    Seared lamb chop in jus, haricot vert, cherry tomato and pumpkin.
    BKK-SIN (April 2013, Business Class)
    Aaron 02 Dec 2014
  • Grilled Chilean Seabass

    I ordered this dish after hearing and reading great reviews on it. To my disappointment, I was served was a dish that was below par. The fish was sinewy, dry (think over-microwaved meat) and bland. The creamy seafood sauce /chowder was the dish's saving grace. Even that wasn't fantastic; mediocre at most. Perhaps all the good reviews have gotten my expectations way too high so to be fair, I'll give it another shot the next time.
    louannwong 29 May 2015
    Like ⋅ 1 like
  • Grilled Chilean Seabass

    @louannwong What country did you depart from when you tried it? Ex-Singapore has been consistently good for me though I'm sure they have off days. I do note though that every time I try it the preparation, presentation, and taste is a bit different (see my photos) so that could be an issue too.

    Either way definitely try again and hopefully it'll be better - when on form this dish beats out anything I've tried in restaurants thus far!
    Aaron 29 May 2015
    Like ⋅ 1 like
  • Grilled Chilean Seabass

    The one other dish that is hard to fail is the Chicken Rice (warning: chicken rice is generally fattening). If you don't think ordering chicken rice is a good option (come on, we can get a plate for S$3 at our local hawker stalls), well think about it this way - sometimes it may turn out to be the best choice on the menu depending on which route you are flying. Feels like home, especially if you have been away from Asia for a long time.
    steffdarling 29 May 2015
    Like ⋅ 1 like
  • Roast Rack of Lamb

    @Aaron Totally agree!!!
    steffdarling 17 Apr 2015
    Like ⋅ 1 like
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