Martin will create new seasonal menus for first class customers, before rolling out to standard class travelers in the autumn.

He said: “Virgin Trains came to me with a genuine vision and passion for improving the experience they deliver to their customers and – as a frequent Virgin Trains’ traveller  – I shared their belief that the food on offer could have a real impact on customers’ experience as a whole.

“I see this partnership as a real opportunity to open people’s eyes to the great food they could enjoy as they speed up the iconic East Coast line – and I feel the new menus we’re cooking up together will make it a truly enjoyable experience.”

The menu will cover breakfast, casual dining and evening meals, including black pudding served with bacon, sausage and eggs, while casual dining offers will include the chef’s signature golden sultana sauce as an accompaniment to sausage rolls.

Evening meals will include lemon and herb roasted chicken, as well as a new chicken curry dish created in the chef’s development kitchen.

Alison Watson, customer experience director at Virgin Trains on the East Coast, added: “This is another step in Virgin Trains’ journey of improving every element of our customers’ experience when they travel with us. Our new First Class carriages are rolling out on a weekly basis now, we are upgrading our First Class lounges for customers, and we have a totally new fleet of trains in the pipeline, too.

“However, we are also focusing on getting the experience right for our customers today, and a revitalised menu is another important element of that. We’re confident the menu James is designing with our team will be the finest dining any UK train operator can boast and will be another step in making our customers’ journeys even better.”