“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but with busy schedules and time constraints, not everyone has the luxury of a leisurely, sit-down breakfast. This is where the convenience of a continental breakfast comes in. A continental breakfast typically consists of a variety of pastries, bread, cereal, fruit, juice, coffee, and tea, allowing guests to quickly and easily grab what they need and be on their way.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the history and evolution of continental breakfast, tips for setting up the perfect continental breakfast spread, and the many benefits of offering this type of breakfast option.”
What is the Continental Breakfast ?
Continental breakfast is a type of breakfast consisting of lighter food items typically served in hotels, guesthouses, and similar establishments. It usually includes bread, pastries, cereal, fruits, yogurt, juice, and coffee. The emphasis is on convenience and self-service, and it is typically less extensive and less expensive than a full breakfast.
History of the Continental Breakfast
The term itself is of British origin. “The continent” in Britain refers to the countries of continental Europe. A “continental breakfast” thus denotes the type of lighter meal served in whole Europe, as opposed to the “full” English breakfast.
Which Items should be included in the Continental Breakfast
In this breakfast typically included the following items:
Bread – This can include croissants, muffins, bagels, or toast.
Pastries – Danish pastries, donuts, or sweet rolls are common options.
Cereal – A variety of cereal, with or without milk, is usually available for guests to help themselves.
Fruit – Fresh fruit to be used such as bananas, apples, or oranges is often provided.
Yogurt – Yogurt may be offered as a healthier option.
Juice – Orange juice is a common choice, but other juices such as apple or cranberry may also be offered.
Coffee – Fresh coffee, hot tea or cocoa is usually available.
Other beverages – Such as milk, bottled water, or other beverages may also be available.
Which Items should be included may vary depending on the venue and location. Some establishments may offer additional items such as eggs, bacon, or oatmeal, while others may offer more specialized items such as pastries or waffles made to order. The goal of a this types of breakfast is to provide guests with a convenient and self-service meal that is quick and easy to consume before starting their day.
Continental Breakfast Menu
Menu example for Continental breakfast and cover
Fresh orange juice
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Croissants served with butter, orange marmalade & honey
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Freshly brewed coffee
While setting the continental breakfast some point must be remember these are
Water glass may or may not be placed depending on the policy of the establishment.
No cruet set to be placed.
Side plate & side knife with napkins.
How to set-up Continental Breakfast ?
Tips to Settling a Continental Breakfast
Below I will share you the the some tips of set-up of the Continental Breakfast
- Choose the menu items
- Offer a variety of items such as pastries, bread, bagels, muffins, cereal, yogurt, fruit, juice, coffee and tea.
- Plan for presentation
- Arrange the food in an attractive and inviting manner on platters or in baskets.
- Consider the serving pieces
- Use serving utensils such as tongs, spoons, and serving forks to make it easy for guests to help themselves.
- Set up the serving area
- Choose a well-lit area with enough space for guests to move around comfortably and access the food easily.
- Provide signage
- Clearly label each item and provide any necessary information such as allergens, ingredients, and preparation methods.
- Make coffee and hot water available
- Set up coffee makers, teapots, and hot water dispensers in the serving area.
- Stock the table
- Make sure you have enough plates, cups, napkins, and utensils for guests to use.
- Maintain the buffet
- Continuously refill food items as needed, and keep the area clean and tidy.
- Time the breakfast
- Consider the schedule of your guests and plan to have the breakfast available for a specific time period.
While setting the table layout and Service Layout consider the following things
Cover for Continental Breakfast
Continental breakfast cover (table layout)
Bud vase/centerpiece
Water goblet
Butter dish & butter knife
Side plate with side knife & serviette/napkin
Breakfast cup with under liner & tea spoon
Sugar bowl/Sugar basin with sugar cubes & tongs or granulated sugar with tea spoon/Sugar caddy with sugar sachet
Preserves- jam/jelly/marmalade/honey
Continental breakfast cover (service layout)
Bud vase/centerpiece
Water goblet
Butter dish & butter knife
Side plate with side knife & serviette/napkin
Breakfast cup with under liner & tea spoon
Sugar bowl/Sugar basin with sugar cubes & tongs or granulated sugar with tea spoon/Sugar caddy with sugar sachet
Preserves- jam/jelly/marmalade/honey
Bread basket/bread boat/toast rack
Tea pot/coffee pot and hot water jug stands or underplates
Milk jug / creamer, Strainer & slop basin
Juice glass- may or may not be.
Conclusion
A continental breakfast is a type of breakfast meal that is typically served in hotels, motels, guesthouses, and other similar establishments. It is usually offered as part of the room rate and is designed to provide guests with a convenient and self-service breakfast option.
Why this types of Breakfast Beneficial?
Convenience – Mostly important this types of breakfast is meant to be a quick and easy meal for guests, typically with an emphasis on self-service.
Lighter fare – Typically includes lighter food items, such as bread, pastries, cereal, and fruit, rather than a full breakfast with hot dishes like eggs or bacon.
Budget-friendly – Continental breakfast is usually less expensive than a full breakfast, which helps to keep the room rate affordable for guests.
Variety of Food Items to be offer – Most continental breakfasts offer a variety of food items to choose from, allowing guests to pick and choose what they want to eat.
