Mar 4

Mar 4 Breakfast Buffet Types

As AMM will testify - I do love a good Breakfast Buffet.

But Sadly … they are few and far between.

I think the Continental Europeans know how to do them well … however I have experienced some real howlers of late. On my recent transit through Athens it was actually not an option, however I must say that the food was good and I enjoyed what was on offer - namely either boiled, scrambled or fried eggs, with some unspecified meat, very lightly toasted toast and honey.

It was enough. But if, like me, tourism involves enjoying a huge spread of exotic goodies along with old favourites, it didn’t quite cut the mustard.

I had a couple of nights in a moderately affluent hotel in Nottingham, waiting for AMM to appear. And there was, what I would term a ‘middle sized’ buffet. The Full English was good. Although curiously there weren’t many takers for the sausages. Not sure why. The pile remained resolutely high despite waves of breakfasters.

There were several kinds of bread, pastries and muffins. The cereals were a little disappointing and I must say I don’t approve of coffee machines - especially if the only option is black coffee. A few people asked if there were other options and they were directed to a small occasional table with some sachets on it. My preferred Decaf was no where to be seen.

So … I ate in waves. Full English selection first, followed by toast and Marmite, followed by a cereal or fruit and yoghurt. All sounds more than it was. But I like to fill my boots.

I then settled in to watch people come and go … ranging from the excited, the bored, the grateful, the disdainful, the sneaky, the insatiable, the confused, the minimalists, and the voracious … I shall explain.

The Excited - don’t get out much. A breakfast buffet is probably the highlight of their year.

The Bored - probably on business and stay in hotel lots. They opt for a slice of toast and coffee and so what if added breakfast costs £25 (I mean … how can it possibly cost that.)

The Grateful - are relieved that the selection is wide enough to put a shine on their day.

The Disdainful - have had better but will put up with what they regard as a poor show.

The Sneaky - keep coming back to the buffet and each time, slip sachets and fruit into their pockets for later. I have seen whole slices of cheese and bread going in.

The Insatiable - eat and eat and eat. Where do they put it all.

The Confused - are just not that used to such choice and swan back and forth trying to decide what to have.

The Minimalists - peck.

and the Voracious - pile up their plates with as much as they can, and then … leave most of it. I mean, what’s that all about.

On this particular morning there was an entire football team, who glowered at the goodies, and were then guided to eat something sensible by their coach … I suppose that’s another type - The Envious.