Planner putting together a buffet
You want to work out in advance how much bread you’ll need. The number of guests, the role bread will play on the table and the portion you choose all matter more than a single product listing.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Organiser of the bread table
You’re choosing between loaves you’ll slice or lay out yourself and individual rolls. The serving time, storage instructions and work involved during the buffet are all important.
Organiser catering for allergens
You check the ingredients in every loaf you choose. For guests who need to eat gluten-free, arrange a suitable alternative separately and prevent it coming into contact with crumbs from regular bread.
What should you consider when buying bread?
First decide how much you need and how you’ll serve it. Then check each product’s nutritional information, allergens and storage or preparation instructions.
| Point to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Note the number of guests, the role of bread and the portion per guest; compare packs containing the same type and amount of bread. | If bread makes up a large part of my buffet, I don’t want to base my purchase on a single pack. Around 33% of consumers put the quantity they need first. |
| Serving | Choose between whole or sliced loaves and individual rolls; check the storage and preparation instructions too. | When guests are helping themselves, I want to know how much slicing and preparation will be left to do. For around 27% of consumers, serving practicalities are their main concern. |
| Allergens | Read the latest allergen information and keep any gluten-free alternative separate from regular bread. | For a guest who needs to eat gluten-free, I want to be able to offer a suitable option that hasn’t come into contact with regular bread crumbs. This is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Check the ingredients and compare the fibre and salt content per 100 g on the chosen product’s label. | If I’m paying particular attention to the ingredients, I want to be able to compare figures for the bread itself. Around 13% of consumers give this check top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Working out how many loaves you need without planning portions
A whole loaf and an individual roll are served differently. Without knowing the number of guests and the portion you want to offer, you can’t work out how many you’ll need.
Decide whether bread is a main feature or a side, then work out the number of portions per guest.
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Offering regular wholemeal bread as a gluten-free option
Bread made with wheat, rye or barley contains gluten. According to the Voedingscentrum, even a bread crumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease.
Check the label on a separate gluten-free product and use separate chopping and serving equipment.
Brands to compare
Albert Heijn
An option for browsing the online range of wholemeal bread and checking the information for each product.
- Albert Heijn lists products including AH Tijger volkoren heel; the ingredients list for AH Volkoren heel includes iodised salt.
- For your buffet shopping, check which bread is available when you need it and read the label for that product.
Lidl
A shop to consider if you’d like to browse fine wholemeal bread in store.
- Lidl lists fine wholemeal bread as an in-store product weighing 800 g.
- Check with your local store which product information and pack sizes are available when you shop.
Aldi
An option for comparing a whole wholemeal loaf with an individual wholemeal roll.
- Aldi lists Fijn volkoren heel and a wholemeal roll as different serving options.
- Claims about fibre or salt for one specific loaf don’t automatically apply to other Aldi breads.
Plus
An option for checking the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values of individual wholemeal breads.
- Plus displays product information for items including Volkoren tijger heel and Boeren volkoren heel.
- Check the current packaging if an ingredient or allergen is important for a guest.
Dirk
A shop to consider if you’d like to add a whole wholemeal loaf to the bread table.
- Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren heel.
- Dirk doesn’t list a delivery service, so bear in mind that you’ll need to transport a large bread order yourself.
Bread options on Joybuy
These products offer different options for the bread table: Lebanese wholemeal bread, round wholemeal loaves and a rye bread product. Check whether each product’s pack size, preparation and serving style suit your buffet.
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Souq Lebanese wholemeal bread, 6 pieces
An option for laying out individual pieces of bread on the buffet table.
Check the allergen information on the current packaging and time opening the pack to suit when you’ll serve it.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal loaves, 2 × 550 g
A pack of two loaves for a buffet where you’d like to serve slices yourself.
Allow time and oven space for defrosting, baking and cooling; follow the preparation instructions on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal loaf, 550 g
A single round loaf for a bread table where you’ll serve the slices yourself.
Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling. Check the current packaging for preparation instructions.
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Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g
A rye bread option for anyone considering a different grain from wholemeal wheat bread.
Check the bread’s shape on the packaging before buying: the product title and description refer to it differently.
Frequently asked questions
Does regular wholemeal bread contain gluten?
Wholemeal bread made with wheat, rye or barley contains gluten. Check the ingredients in the specific bread; a guest who needs to eat gluten-free will need a separate, suitable product.
How can you prevent gluten-free bread coming into contact with regular bread at the buffet?
Serve the gluten-free alternative separately and use its own chopping and serving equipment. According to the Voedingscentrum, even a small amount of gluten, such as a bread crumb, can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease.
Can you freeze wholemeal bread in advance?
You can, as long as the storage instructions for the product allow it. Check the current packaging for the bread you choose, and allow time for defrosting and, if needed, baking.