Breakfast

Hello! I have a three bedroom B&B in southwestern Ohio and I've been in business for almost four years now. Lately it seems that EVERYONE is on some kind of diet or self imposed food restriction. I am finding it very hard to create a sit-down breakfast that all can enjoy. This year I am considering going with just a cold continental breakfast served between 8:00 - 10:00 AM because nobody can agree on a fixed time for breakfast either. I hate doing this as many people feel they are not getting the full B&B experience for their $$. Have any of you been faced with this and how did you resolve it?
Kate

Would a pre-planned menu work for you? Guests are given a menu from which they select what they want (based on what you're willing to cater to) and they must select a time. Selections must be handed in by x time or there is a cereal option available for folks who would rather not choose in advance.
This morning we had 3 guests who loaded up on cereal and then said the pancakes we were actually serving would be too much carbs. They all wanted eggs. No, sorry, we don't have eggs today. One of them used half a pitcher of syrup on the pancake.

Morticia said:

Would a pre-planned menu work for you? Guests are given a menu from which they select what they want (based on what you're willing to cater to) and they must select a time. Selections must be handed in by x time or there is a cereal option available for folks who would rather not choose in advance.
This morning we had 3 guests who loaded up on cereal and then said the pancakes we were actually serving would be too much carbs. They all wanted eggs. No, sorry, we don't have eggs today. One of them used half a pitcher of syrup on the pancake..

Click to expand...

One of them used half a pitcher of syrup on the pancake.
Oh dear, that would have been me. the only reason to eat a pancake is for the real maple syrup.

I have retired but make it clear breakfast is cooks choice. If they are on restricted or self imposed diet that is their problem not yours. Just state on your website you cannot do special diet requests. And that fruit, cereal and yogurt are options if they can't eat what is prepared. You are not a restaurant and if you don't want to do all this special needs it is your choice. The other alternative is set up a buffet between specific hours and let them serve themselves. A nice continental plus and he done with them. Breakfast is complimentary take it or leave it!
The B&B experience IS CHANGING so give something else a try and see how it works for you.

EmptyNest said:

I have retired but make it clear breakfast is cooks choice. If they are on restricted or self imposed diet that is their problem not yours. Just state on your website you cannot do special diet requests. And that fruit, cereal and yogurt are options if they can't eat what is prepared. You are not a restaurant and if you don't want to do all this special needs it is your choice. The other alternative is set up a buffet between specific hours and let them serve themselves. A nice continental plus and he done with them. Breakfast is complimentary take it or leave it!
The B&B experience IS CHANGING so give something else a try and see how it works for you..

Click to expand...

Thanks a million, EmptyNest! You voiced my thoughts perfectly! I feel encouraged to go forward with the buffet idea. I think it will suit everyone, all around.

gillumhouse said:

Morticia said:

Would a pre-planned menu work for you? Guests are given a menu from which they select what they want (based on what you're willing to cater to) and they must select a time. Selections must be handed in by x time or there is a cereal option available for folks who would rather not choose in advance.
This morning we had 3 guests who loaded up on cereal and then said the pancakes we were actually serving would be too much carbs. They all wanted eggs. No, sorry, we don't have eggs today. One of them used half a pitcher of syrup on the pancake..

Click to expand...

One of them used half a pitcher of syrup on the pancake.
Oh dear, that would have been me. the only reason to eat a pancake is for the real maple syrup.
.

Click to expand...

I don't mind how much they use. It was the whole 'too many carbs' statement prior to that. Plus the talk about where to get the best fried clams.

we are probably not the best people to ask as we cook 21 breakfasts a day to order - Plus I am on holiday I don't want to make a decision of any kind or be held to anything. I think this is symptom of modern life people are so burnt out they just aren't capable of making a decision - its a symptom of a new guest segment we are trying to workout how to market to - "I'm exhausted" they just want to come away to your B&B and sleep and just watch TV in bed and eat crap - literally from the minute they arrive they will go to bed (and not in a sex way) and you probably won't see them again the rest of the time.

I have fixed times, 8 and 9. And they choose one. If they arrive late, well.... breakfast is hot at 8, warm at 8:15 and cold at 8:30. Hot again at 9AM, warm at 9:15 and cold at 9:30.

We do a buffet.
If you are vegan, you can have pancakes, fruit and dry cereal.
If you are vegetarian, you can have pancakes, fruit, yogurt, cereal, eggs and coffee cake.
If you are gluten free, you can have fruit, yogurt, gf cereal, eggs and bacon. (We go through A LOT of bacon!)
We figure you can take care of yourself.

My favorite diet stories:
Them: "We are vegan. Do you have anything we can eat for breakfast?"
Me: "Sure, we have fruit every day and I don't use eggs or milk in the pancake mix."
Them later, "Breakfast was wonderful. Can you tell us the best place to get a boiled lobster?"
Me: (To myself) "You've got to be frecking kidding me."
Them: (While eating a chocolate chip cookie), "I am gluten free. Do you have anything I can eat for breakfast?"
Me: (Not to myself, outloud to her,) "Yes I do but that cookie is not gluten free."

We ask at time of booking about food restrictions and allergies.
2 rooms. They pick their breakfast time when I show them to the room. Almost all stick to that time, and as yet we have never had no-shows.
All get fruit salad starter, then the main is individually plated. Low or no carb get egg dish with no toast or potatoes, with side of sautéed tomato and mushroom. Vegans get polenta with 'omelette ' filling spooned on top, gluten free - just skip the toast. Vegetarians don't get side meat ( I never include meat in the egg dish in case a vegetarian doesn't say in advance)
We have individual tables rather than a group sit-down.
Most are one-nighters so few days I have to deal with repeats.

TheBeachHouse said:

My favorite diet stories:
Them: "We are vegan. Do you have anything we can eat for breakfast?"
Me: "Sure, we have fruit every day and I don't use eggs or milk in the pancake mix."
Them later, "Breakfast was wonderful. Can you tell us the best place to get a boiled lobster?"
Me: (To myself) "You've got to be frecking kidding me."
Them: (While eating a chocolate chip cookie), "I am gluten free. Do you have anything I can eat for breakfast?"
Me: (Not to myself, outloud to her,) "Yes I do but that cookie is not gluten free.".

Click to expand...

Love this! This is EXACTLY what I deal with!! Makes me want to pull out my hair! I just try to fix a breakfast that covers all the bases and they can choose what to eat.

I had a vegetarian stay recently who wouldn't sleep in a bed with feather duvet, I was tempted to say "You're not supposed to eat it".

Highlands John said:

I had a vegetarian stay recently who wouldn't sleep in a bed with feather duvet, I was tempted to say "You're not supposed to eat it"..

Click to expand...

Highlands John said:

I had a vegetarian stay recently who wouldn't sleep in a bed with feather duvet, I was tempted to say "You're not supposed to eat it".

Click to expand...

Did you check for leather shoes? Leather seats in the car?

Morticia said:

gillumhouse said:

Morticia said:

Would a pre-planned menu work for you? Guests are given a menu from which they select what they want (based on what you're willing to cater to) and they must select a time. Selections must be handed in by x time or there is a cereal option available for folks who would rather not choose in advance.
This morning we had 3 guests who loaded up on cereal and then said the pancakes we were actually serving would be too much carbs. They all wanted eggs. No, sorry, we don't have eggs today. One of them used half a pitcher of syrup on the pancake..

Click to expand...

One of them used half a pitcher of syrup on the pancake.
Oh dear, that would have been me. the only reason to eat a pancake is for the real maple syrup.
.

Click to expand...

I don't mind how much they use. It was the whole 'too many carbs' statement prior to that. Plus the talk about where to get the best fried clams.
.

Click to expand...

Morticia said:

I don't mind how much they use. It was the whole 'too many carbs' statement prior to that. Plus the talk about where to get the best fried clams.

Click to expand...

I'll be the first to buy your B&B experience book, Mort!

Our inn serves a buffet between 8-10am. It has worked well for us.

Lee2014 said:

Morticia said:

gillumhouse said:

Morticia said:

Would a pre-planned menu work for you? Guests are given a menu from which they select what they want (based on what you're willing to cater to) and they must select a time. Selections must be handed in by x time or there is a cereal option available for folks who would rather not choose in advance.
This morning we had 3 guests who loaded up on cereal and then said the pancakes we were actually serving would be too much carbs. They all wanted eggs. No, sorry, we don't have eggs today. One of them used half a pitcher of syrup on the pancake..

Click to expand...

One of them used half a pitcher of syrup on the pancake.
Oh dear, that would have been me. the only reason to eat a pancake is for the real maple syrup.
.

Click to expand...

I don't mind how much they use. It was the whole 'too many carbs' statement prior to that. Plus the talk about where to get the best fried clams.
.

Click to expand...

Morticia said:

I don't mind how much they use. It was the whole 'too many carbs' statement prior to that. Plus the talk about where to get the best fried clams.

Click to expand...

I'll be the first to buy your B&B experience book, Mort!
.

Click to expand...

Lee2014 said:

Morticia said:

I don't mind how much they use. It was the whole 'too many carbs' statement prior to that. Plus the talk about where to get the best fried clams.

Click to expand...

I'll be the first to buy your B&B experience book, Mort!

Click to expand...

We have innkeepers here now who are writing the book.

Morticia said:

Lee2014 said:

Morticia said:

gillumhouse said:

Morticia said:

Would a pre-planned menu work for you? Guests are given a menu from which they select what they want (based on what you're willing to cater to) and they must select a time. Selections must be handed in by x time or there is a cereal option available for folks who would rather not choose in advance.
This morning we had 3 guests who loaded up on cereal and then said the pancakes we were actually serving would be too much carbs. They all wanted eggs. No, sorry, we don't have eggs today. One of them used half a pitcher of syrup on the pancake..

Click to expand...

One of them used half a pitcher of syrup on the pancake.
Oh dear, that would have been me. the only reason to eat a pancake is for the real maple syrup.
.

Click to expand...

I don't mind how much they use. It was the whole 'too many carbs' statement prior to that. Plus the talk about where to get the best fried clams.
.

Click to expand...

Morticia said:

I don't mind how much they use. It was the whole 'too many carbs' statement prior to that. Plus the talk about where to get the best fried clams.

Click to expand...

I'll be the first to buy your B&B experience book, Mort!
.

Click to expand...

Lee2014 said:

Morticia said:

I don't mind how much they use. It was the whole 'too many carbs' statement prior to that. Plus the talk about where to get the best fried clams.

Click to expand...

I'll be the first to buy your B&B experience book, Mort!

Click to expand...

We have innkeepers here now who are writing the book.
.

Click to expand...

Morticia said:

Lee2014 said:

Morticia said:

I don't mind how much they use. It was the whole 'too many carbs' statement prior to that. Plus the talk about where to get the best fried clams.

Click to expand...

I'll be the first to buy your B&B experience book, Mort!

Click to expand...

We have innkeepers here now who are writing the book.

Click to expand...

Your book or another book?

Lee2014 said:

Morticia said:

Lee2014 said:

Morticia said:

gillumhouse said:

Morticia said:

Would a pre-planned menu work for you? Guests are given a menu from which they select what they want (based on what you're willing to cater to) and they must select a time. Selections must be handed in by x time or there is a cereal option available for folks who would rather not choose in advance.
This morning we had 3 guests who loaded up on cereal and then said the pancakes we were actually serving would be too much carbs. They all wanted eggs. No, sorry, we don't have eggs today. One of them used half a pitcher of syrup on the pancake..

Click to expand...

One of them used half a pitcher of syrup on the pancake.
Oh dear, that would have been me. the only reason to eat a pancake is for the real maple syrup.
.

Click to expand...

I don't mind how much they use. It was the whole 'too many carbs' statement prior to that. Plus the talk about where to get the best fried clams.
.

Click to expand...

Morticia said:

I don't mind how much they use. It was the whole 'too many carbs' statement prior to that. Plus the talk about where to get the best fried clams.

Click to expand...

I'll be the first to buy your B&B experience book, Mort!
.

Click to expand...

Lee2014 said:

Morticia said:

I don't mind how much they use. It was the whole 'too many carbs' statement prior to that. Plus the talk about where to get the best fried clams.

Click to expand...

I'll be the first to buy your B&B experience book, Mort!

Click to expand...

We have innkeepers here now who are writing the book.
.

Click to expand...

Morticia said:

Lee2014 said:

Morticia said:

I don't mind how much they use. It was the whole 'too many carbs' statement prior to that. Plus the talk about where to get the best fried clams.

Click to expand...

I'll be the first to buy your B&B experience book, Mort!

Click to expand...

We have innkeepers here now who are writing the book.

Click to expand...

Your book or another book?
.

Click to expand...

Lee2014 said:

Morticia said:

Lee2014 said:

Morticia said:

I don't mind how much they use. It was the whole 'too many carbs' statement prior to that. Plus the talk about where to get the best fried clams.

Click to expand...

I'll be the first to buy your B&B experience book, Mort!

Click to expand...

We have innkeepers here now who are writing the book.

Click to expand...

Your book or another book?

Click to expand...

Their own book. They were looking for stories to put in it. They didn't have long enough to sit here and take notes. ;-)