Buffet manager serving lots of guests
Wants to set out and replenish slices without having to cut the breakfast cake during service. The pack size should suit the number of slices needed for each breakfast sitting.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Hotel offering a range of breakfast options
May want to offer a wholemeal or no-added-sugar option alongside plain breakfast cake. Ingredients, sugars, fibre and any sweeteners vary from product to product.
Person responsible for allergen information
Needs to keep information about allergens present in the breakfast cake being served readily available, even when slices are displayed without their packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how this information must be provided for unpackaged foods.
What should you look for?
First, choose a pre-sliced format that makes buffet replenishment easier. Then decide whether a second option would add something useful to the choice available to guests.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quick replenishment | Check whether the cake is pre-sliced and, if stated, how many slices are in the pack. | During a busy breakfast service, I want to add slices without having to cut them. Around 36% of consumers prioritise quick replenishment. |
| Pack size and portions | Compare the net weight and stated number of slices with the quantity you want to set out for each breakfast sitting. | If I’m serving several breakfast sittings, I want to know how many portions I can get from a pack. Portion planning is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Choice of varieties | Compare the ingredients and nutritional values per 100 g for each specific product, including fibre and sugars. | Alongside plain breakfast cake, I only want to offer a wholemeal or no-added-sugar option if it suits what guests are looking for. This is a priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Allergen information | Use the current packaging or supplier specification, and make information about allergens present accessible when serving slices loose on the buffet. | When I serve unpackaged slices, guests need to be able to check which allergens they contain before eating. For around 14% of consumers, managing this information is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means ‘sugar-free’
According to the brand, Peijnenburg’s sliced no-added-sugar variety still contains 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g and includes xylitol. The Jumbo variety reviewed contains sweeteners and carries a warning about excessive consumption.
Only use the claim shown on the exact pack on your buffet label, and compare the nutritional information per 100 g.
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Keeping the original packaging but not making the allergen information accessible
When breakfast cake is displayed unpackaged on the buffet, guests must be able to find out about any allergens present. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this information can be provided in writing or, under certain conditions, verbally, with a visible notice telling guests they can ask.
Make sure the information matches the variety being served, and update it whenever the product or supplier changes.
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Relying on a product page you viewed earlier as a definitive specification
Ingredients and allergen information can change. The correct information must still be available at the buffet, even if the packaging changes.
Check the current physical packaging or a recent supplier specification before preparing the buffet information.
Brands to compare
Peijnenburg
Offers sliced plain breakfast cake, as well as separate wholemeal and no-added-sugar varieties.
- Peijnenburg states that its 345 g plain variety contains 12 slices, while its 455 g no-added-sugar variety contains 16 slices.
- Check the nutritional values for each variety: Peijnenburg states that its sliced wholemeal variety contains 5.1 g of fibre and 39 g of sugars per 100 g.
Jumbo
Offers a 475 g sliced plain breakfast cake, as well as other sliced varieties.
- The plain variety gives you a specific pack weight to compare with the number of buffet portions you have planned.
- For a no-added-sugar variety, check the exact ingredients and warnings on the packaging. Don’t assume it is the same as the plain variety.
PLUS
Offers a 485 g sliced plain breakfast cake.
- The stated pack weight makes it easy to compare with other sliced formats.
- The variety described contains rye. When serving it on the buffet, use the current allergen information from that exact pack.
Koek & Bakker
ALDI Netherlands lists sliced zero breakfast cake and sliced wholemeal breakfast cake from this brand, both weighing 485 g.
- Both varieties mentioned are pre-sliced and have the same stated pack weight.
- Check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens on the current pack before adding a variety to the buffet.
Lidl
Lists 485 g sliced plain and wholemeal breakfast cake.
- The stated formats make it possible to compare plain and wholemeal varieties at the same pack weight.
- Base your buffet label on the ingredients and allergen information for the pack you have chosen.
Sliced breakfast cake on Joybuy
This 485 g sliced breakfast cake is one option to consider alongside your preferred pack size and buffet presentation. Check the number of slices and the current packaging before planning portions and preparing allergen information for the buffet.
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g'woon sliced breakfast cake 485 g
A sliced format for a buffet where you want to serve portions without having to cut them.
- Pack weight: 485 g.
- If you’re planning portions for each breakfast sitting, check the number of slices on the packaging.
- For loose presentation, use the current packaging to check allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
How should I provide allergen information when breakfast cake is served loose on a hotel buffet?
Make sure guests can find out about any allergens present before eating. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, information about unpackaged foods can be provided in writing, for example on a card, or verbally if there is a visible notice telling guests they can ask.
Is breakfast cake with no added sugars also sugar-free?
No, the terms don’t mean the same thing. Peijnenburg states that its sliced no-added-sugar variety contains 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the current nutritional information and ingredients for every variety, including any sweeteners.
What should I check on the packaging before putting breakfast cake on the buffet?
Check the ingredients, allergens present, net quantity, best-before date, storage instructions and nutritional information for the product you have chosen. Use the current packaging to make sure the variety being served is matched with the correct buffet information.