Organisers of high-profile conference lunches
You want to offer a well-presented selection of bread that suits a lunch with guests. Sourdough, spelt and rustic rolls are options to compare if you can bake them in small batches close to serving time.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Caterers serving a mixed group of attendees
You need familiar options as well as clear information about ingredients and allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires customers to be given information about 14 allergens for non-prepacked foods.
Organisers with short breaks and limited oven space
You need to plan the number of rolls and baking batches around the break. Depending on the variety, PLUS recommends baking the rolls discussed here for 6–10 minutes at 220 °C.
What should you consider when choosing?
First, choose the bread profile that suits the lunch. Then check that you can manage the preparation and allergen information for your chosen varieties.
Sourdough or spelt
A good fit when: You want the bread itself to be a standout part of the lunch and can bake it shortly before serving.
Consider: Spelt is not gluten-free; check each product for other allergens too.
Multigrain
A good fit when: You want to offer rolls made with different grains alongside white rolls.
Consider: The term ‘multigrain’ alone does not tell you which grains or allergens a roll contains.
White
A good fit when: The fillings are the main focus and you want to include a familiar type of bread alongside other options.
Consider: You still need to check the ingredients and allergens for each white roll product.
| Consideration | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Presentation and bread profile | Compare the actual ingredients in sourdough, spelt and multigrain varieties, and check that your chosen option is available to order. | For a high-profile lunch, I want the bread itself to get noticed too. That bread profile is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Baking around the break | Check the baking instructions against the oven space available and the number of batches you will need. | With a short break, I want to avoid having to prepare all the rolls well in advance. Planning is the main concern for around 31% of consumers. |
| Allergen information | Check the latest labels for both the bread and fillings, and keep the information for each combination available when serving non-prepacked food. | When attendees have different dietary requirements, I want to be able to say what each roll contains. Around 23% of consumers put this information first. |
| Quantities and purchasing | Compare pack sizes with the number you need, and confirm your chosen variety before finalising the menu. | For a group, I want to make sure I can arrange enough rolls of the agreed type. Purchasing plans are the top priority for around 15% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming spelt is gluten-free
Spelt is a grain that contains gluten. The PLUS spelt sourdough roll described here contains spelt flour, labelled as wheat, so it is not a gluten-free option.
For guests who need to eat gluten-free, use only a separately checked product labelled as gluten-free, and keep the latest product information available when serving it.
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Guessing allergens from the name or colour
Labels such as white, multigrain and sourdough do not tell you everything about the allergens in a roll or in a roll-and-filling combination.
Check the latest information for each type of bread and filling combination, and update the details provided at serving time if you replace a product.
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Choosing a type of roll without planning when to bake it
The baking times for the PLUS varieties discussed here differ. One large batch may not work for a lunch served across several breaks.
Check how many packs will fit in the available oven at once, then plan your baking batches according to the instructions for your chosen variety.
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Assuming a range shown online will be available on the day of your event
A roll listed online is not necessarily the variety you will be able to buy at the required date and location. Lidl, for example, says its in-store range can vary by branch.
Confirm your chosen rolls and their latest product specifications before finalising the menu and the information for attendees.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
A supermarket where you can compare rolls and sourdough varieties.
- According to Albert Heijn, one multigrain sourdough roll described in its range contains 9.3% wheat sourdough and lists iodised salt.
- Check that your preferred variety is still available before putting the menu together.
Jumbo
A supermarket offering different types of rolls, including white, mixed-seed, spelt and sourdough varieties.
- The range gives you options for a lunch with more than one type of bread.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information for each variety you choose.
PLUS
A supermarket with documented white, multigrain and spelt sourdough rolls.
- The product information described includes ingredients, allergens and baking instructions for the varieties concerned.
- Calling these rolls sourdough or multigrain does not make them gluten-free; check the latest information about potential allergens too.
Dirk
A supermarket offering, among other things, white and rustic multigrain rolls.
- The white and rustic multigrain varieties described are sold in packs of four.
- For catering, ask for the latest ingredients and allergen information for your chosen variety.
ALDI
A supermarket with an in-store-baked roll and a separate range of rolls to bake at home.
- You can compare in-store-baked bread with rolls that you bake yourself.
- Check the product type, preparation method and label for each item you choose; not every roll for baking is a pistolet.
Lidl
An in-store option that includes white, freshly baked rolls.
- A white roll is an option to compare locally with other types of bread.
- Lidl says its bread range can vary by branch, so confirm availability at the event location.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
What allergen information is needed for non-prepacked rolls?
For non-prepacked foods, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says customers must be given information about 14 allergens. For your conference lunch, keep the latest details for both your chosen rolls and fillings available when serving them.
Can I offer a spelt roll as a gluten-free option?
No. Spelt is not gluten-free. The PLUS spelt sourdough roll described here contains spelt flour, labelled as wheat. For guests who need to eat gluten-free, choose only a separately checked product labelled as gluten-free.
What should I look for when checking whether rolls contain iodised salt?
Check the ingredients for the specific roll if iodised salt is relevant to your purchasing decision. The Albert Heijn and PLUS product information discussed here lists iodised salt, but that does not tell you about the ingredients in other varieties.
What does a caterer need to arrange when baking and filling rolls?
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, a food business preparing or handling rolls must follow a food safety plan or hygiene code based on HACCP. Make sure baking, filling, storage and serving are all covered by your procedures.