I think this thread highlights an inexplicable characteristic of the British, that when it comes to the catering services people here seem only too ready to pay through the nose for food that most other nationalities would never accept.
Coming back to London after spending some time in Australia or NZ or the US to name a few it's just embarrassing what places generally get away with here and the amazing thing is that everyone seems happy to pay for it. London truly is the rip-off capital of the world and unfortunately as long as people intend to carry on paying joke prices for re-heated, tasteless, substandard food then it will carry on that way and we will rightfully be the 'catering laughing stock' of the world.
Just about any other country you go to there is suddenly so much more choice and value and care about the catering whether it's a corner cafe or a city centre foodhall.
I know I'm expanding the discussion a bit here from the Horniman Cafe but i just wish people here would demand better quality and value from the catering services and not be so willing to be ripped off for things like hot chocolate that usually tastes like milk and dishwater.