How to enjoy a buffet -
Who doesn’t love a nice ‘all-you-can- eat’ buffet!
This wonderful concept of restaurant usually have feast options from all around the world, and also offers live stations where you can enjoy watching a chef cook your choice of food in front of you. It is tough to visit a buffet and not over eat; some would say it is next to impossible. However with some simple tips you are sure to get your experience worth.
We managed to get interesting views on the buffet from the industry’s expert Chef Deepak Bahuguna.
About Him
Chef Deepak is a trained continental chef and has over 21 years of experience in the area of food & hospitality including over 15 years’ of experience in the buffet sector in UK. He was the first chef who started RHWB (Red Hot World Buffet) in the year 2004. Since then he has progressed to the role of Director of Food and has managed the design, build and operation of buffets and kitchens, playing an important role in the development of many such restaurants like FeD Cardiff, Jimmy’s The O2, Zen Metro Birmingham, Mr Basrai World cuisines to name a few. He is now a consultant chef and works independently for restaurant business in the UK.
How to enjoy a Buffet
- Eat a light meal before you go to a buffet restaurant and drink lots of water. Your body needs to be well hydrated to help you process what will go down your stomach, so make sure you sip water throughout the day before you go to a buffet.
- Avoid starting with fried dishes or filler food such as pizza, bread, rice etc. You can always go back for carb later.
- Look around and check all the selections before choosing what you would like to eat. Don’t be overwhelmed. Be brave and adventurous and consider trying new or sumptuous looking food options.
- Start with light & healthier salad or appetizer and then live station where the food is prepared in front of you and according to your preferred liking.
- Variety is the spice of life, and most of the buffet restaurants have a range of world food. Go for small portion with a little bit of everything of your interest rather then fill your plate up. May be switch over from mild food to spicy flavour. Variety helps to break up the monotony of tastes and allows you to eat more.
- Avoid sugary or fizzy drinks; those are extra calories you could be using for actual food. Warm water or green tea is a good option.
- Vegetarian & Allergen Information:
–If you are a vegetarian or have food allergies, we recommend to plan ahead by looking at their website for menu and information or speak to the manager or the chef on duty regarding your requirements.
–Please read food labels with all the allergen information before you take a dish. If you are unsure whether a dish could have come in contact with your allergen, speak to the chef and ask him about the ingredients and cooking process.
–No matter how carefully you have planned or how safe you feel in a particular restaurant, accidents can still happen so when you are dinning out always carry your anti allergen dose, auto-injector and any additional medications your doctor has prescribed.
- Desserts: Pick your dessert smartly and if you have a sweet tooth share a dessert plate on your table. Most buffets have mini desserts so split them in half and enjoy.