Buffet manager with predictable demand
You want to plan how many egg cakes you need for each breakfast service and know when to open a new pack. The number of portions per pack, portion size and storage instructions can all help.
Choose a multipack based on how many egg cakes you expect to serve at each breakfast service. Standard packs with 30 g portions make it easier to plan consistent servings, while smaller or individually wrapped options suit a different style of service. Check the allergens for each variant. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, guests must be able to access information about allergens present in unwrapped buffet food.
You want to plan how many egg cakes you need for each breakfast service and know when to open a new pack. The number of portions per pack, portion size and storage instructions can all help.
You want to offer a smaller sweet option alongside other breakfast items. Mini egg cakes and small, individually wrapped cakes call for a different portion plan from standard egg cakes.
You want to provide up-to-date ingredient and allergen information for every buffet item and, where needed, offer a separate dietary option. For unwrapped food, guests must be able to access information about allergens present, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.
Start with the expected demand for each breakfast service. Then choose how you want to serve the egg cakes and check the allergens in every variant you plan to offer on the buffet.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and replenishment | Check the number of cakes and portions per pack. Match the number of packs you open to expected demand. | If I regularly replenish a buffet, I want to know how many cakes each pack provides without ending up with lots of opened stock. This portion planning is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Allergens on the buffet | Check the latest allergen information for each product. If you’re serving unwrapped food, make sure guests can access information about the allergens present. | When cakes are displayed loose on the buffet, I want to give guests accurate information before they make a choice. This allergen communication is the main concern for around 27% of consumers. |
| How they’re served | Compare portion sizes and decide whether you want to serve standard, smaller or individually wrapped cakes. | I want to be able to choose between a regular egg cake for breakfast and a smaller one as an extra. How they’re served is the deciding factor for around 20% of consumers. |
| Separate gluten-free option | Check the full allergen declaration and plan the number of packs according to expected demand for this option. | If I offer a gluten-free egg cake, I want to display it separately and clearly without overlooking other allergens. This dietary option is the primary purchasing concern for around 20% of consumers. |
Jumbo lists ten 30 g portions in a 300 g pack; Albert Heijn lists twelve 30 g portions in a 360 g pack. Planning by pack weight alone makes it harder to work out how many cakes you can serve.
For each product you choose, note the number of cakes and portions, then use this to calculate how many packs you’ll need for each breakfast service.
According to Albert Heijn, the AH Glutenvrij Eierkoeken included in this comparison still contain egg, milk and soya.
If you’re catering for a specific dietary requirement, read the full, up-to-date allergen declaration on the pack, not just the product name.
For unwrapped food, guests must be able to access information about allergens present, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.
Make sure you have up-to-date allergen information for every buffet item. If you choose to provide the information verbally, ensure you meet the relevant requirements.
Bolletje Brosse Eierkoek melk weighs around 15.5 g per cake, making it a different size from the standard egg cakes mentioned, which come in 30 g portions.
Decide whether you want to serve a small cake or a standard egg cake before planning how many each guest will need.
Jumbo lists standard egg cakes in packs of 10 weighing 300 g, and mini egg cakes in packs of 10 weighing 250 g. This range lets you compare 30 g and 25 g portions.
Albert Heijn lists regular egg cakes with 12 portions of 30 g, mini egg cakes with eight portions of 28 g, and a separate gluten-free option.
ALDI lists Heerlijck Banket Scharreleierkoeken in a pack of 12 weighing 360 g.
Bolletje Brosse Eierkoek melk is a crisp cake with a milk coating, individually wrapped in a pack of ten.
AH Glutenvrij Eierkoeken is a separate option for hotels looking to offer a gluten-free egg cake, not a replacement for a regular multipack for all guests.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, guests must be able to access information about allergens present in unwrapped egg cakes. This can be provided in writing alongside the food. Verbal information is only an option if you meet the additional requirements, including displaying a notice and having staff who can provide the information immediately.
Not based on the regular Jumbo and AH variants mentioned here: they contain cereals containing gluten or wheat. For a separate gluten-free option, check for other allergens too. According to Albert Heijn, the AH Glutenvrij Eierkoeken mentioned here still contain egg, milk and soya.
Divide the expected number of cakes you’ll serve by the number of portions per pack, then round up to the next whole pack. For example, Jumbo lists ten portions in its standard 300 g pack, while Albert Heijn lists twelve portions in its regular 360 g pack. Allow for expected demand and any opened packs left over when planning.
Follow the storage instructions on the current packaging for the egg cakes you choose. Albert Heijn’s product information says to seal the pack of its regular egg cakes securely after use. Also check the instructions and date on the packaging you receive.