Would you order a full english breakfast in a French hotel?
Discussion
We're in the process of buying a small hotel in The Dordogne area of France. The owner currently does not do any kind of breakfast option - its just the typical french fare of bread, preserves and croissants. Whilst staying there I heard a group of Belgium guys check in asking if he would do a proper English breakfast for them, but he wouldn't.
So we got thinking we would offer a full English breakfast option, for say a supplement of 5 euros, whilst the traditional french breakfast would be included in the room price.
We found the French breakfast got boring after 3 days staying there so thought Brits especially would appreciate the option.
What's your thoughts - do you always eat the way the locals do whilst holidaying in foreign countries, or would you be tempted by an English Breakfast if the option was there?
Thanks in advance this is valuable research for us
So we got thinking we would offer a full English breakfast option, for say a supplement of 5 euros, whilst the traditional french breakfast would be included in the room price.
We found the French breakfast got boring after 3 days staying there so thought Brits especially would appreciate the option.
What's your thoughts - do you always eat the way the locals do whilst holidaying in foreign countries, or would you be tempted by an English Breakfast if the option was there?
Thanks in advance this is valuable research for us
I love visiting France, I really like most of the French people I have met, but their breakfasts are truly dreadfull.
After a few Cidre's the night before, the last thing i want to tuck into is a cold boiled egg, a couple of slices of ham and rubber cheese.
Croisants are ok for midweek, but a full English or part of would be terrific.
I usually go for Croque Madame though if it is available (usually only for lunch
)
After a few Cidre's the night before, the last thing i want to tuck into is a cold boiled egg, a couple of slices of ham and rubber cheese.
Croisants are ok for midweek, but a full English or part of would be terrific.
I usually go for Croque Madame though if it is available (usually only for lunch
)How about if you offer the breakfast as a bookable option? That way you don't run the risk of buying and binning lots of fresh ingredients.
Personally, as a francophile, I'm more than happy with a continental breakfast every morning - but I know the Germans like that cheese, salami and beer
Personally, as a francophile, I'm more than happy with a continental breakfast every morning - but I know the Germans like that cheese, salami and beer
Personally, when I'm in France I love the fresh bread, selection of cold meats/cheese, boiled eggs, croissants and preserves. Nothing I cant have at home but something I always look forward to.
Saying that, bacon and eggs will always do well.
Besides unless it's a proper full english with english sausages, proper bacon, black pudding etc you may get the wingers who will nag that it's not like what you get at home....
......when in Rome etc..
Good luck with the venture
Saying that, bacon and eggs will always do well.
Besides unless it's a proper full english with english sausages, proper bacon, black pudding etc you may get the wingers who will nag that it's not like what you get at home....
......when in Rome etc..
Good luck with the venture
Definitely. Although I'm very much one for eating local food when travelling, a full English does set you up for the day. Continental breakfasts are a bit insubstantial!
Besides, most Brits don't do full English when at home because of time/hassle/health, so when on vacation it's nice to have the chance of a good brekkie blowout!
Besides, most Brits don't do full English when at home because of time/hassle/health, so when on vacation it's nice to have the chance of a good brekkie blowout!
dmitsi said:
Do it but in a french style. Toulouse sausages is great for breakfast, couple of strips of bacon served with boudin noir, grilled tomato (maybe provencal), poached egg and fresh toasted petit pain.
I'd pay for that.
So would I. I much prefer local cuisine when abroad, an essential part of the foreign experience.I'd pay for that.
I think if you are going to offer a cooked breakfast then it should reflect traditional french produce. Scrambled or poached eggs on toasted baguette or ham, eggs and sauteed potato etc Offering a real "English" breakfast in France sort of defeats the point for me and smacks a bit of the places you see on the seafront in Spain etc.
A continental buffet is by far the most effective way of providing food in terms of labour costs but a good continental is not cheap to provide unless you have good economy of scale.
We used to offer a continental buffet by default with cooked as an option and we were talking about 40-50 people a day. Around half would go for a cooked option of some sort although this was in the UK. People would always help themselves to a few bits for lunch as well but thats something you have to cost in.
Minimum offering for continental would be:
3 cereals
3 fruit juices
Plain and fruit yoghurts
Petit pain, croissant, pain au chocolate
3 preserves
3 cold meats
3 cheeses
Fresh fruit
A continental buffet is by far the most effective way of providing food in terms of labour costs but a good continental is not cheap to provide unless you have good economy of scale.
We used to offer a continental buffet by default with cooked as an option and we were talking about 40-50 people a day. Around half would go for a cooked option of some sort although this was in the UK. People would always help themselves to a few bits for lunch as well but thats something you have to cost in.
Minimum offering for continental would be:
3 cereals
3 fruit juices
Plain and fruit yoghurts
Petit pain, croissant, pain au chocolate
3 preserves
3 cold meats
3 cheeses
Fresh fruit
paulmurr said:
In my opinion, another important part of a great continental breakfast is top quality coffee.
100% bad coffee is one sure fire way to ensure a no return policy is put in force.I do like to eat the local foods when abroad but like others enjoy a good breakfast with something warm.
Most of the better hotels we stay at offer the continental option and also have a couple of hot dishes with bacon and sausages in them which is usually what i end up raiding before attacking the PauC's
As suggested by others those the option of a "'Full English' with a local twist" would have me happily handing over a 5-7.5 Euro supplement on at least one day of my stay.
dmitsi said:
Do it but in a french style. Toulouse sausages is great for breakfast, couple of strips of bacon served with boudin noir, grilled tomato (maybe provencal), poached egg and fresh toasted petit pain.
I'd pay for that.
This is why this kind of research is so useful. Excellent idea. I'd pay for that.
A definite yes - options are always a good thing and no-one will be forced (I presume? 
) to have one.
Much as I enjoy immersing myself in a country I'm visiting, sometimes you fancy a little of what you're used to.
I'd definitely use local produce where applicable and steer clear of tinned beans and so on. I might also broaden it a little to include maybe some scrambled egg and smoked salmon on decent toasted french bread or maybe a breakfastified version of a croque monsieur.
) to have one.Much as I enjoy immersing myself in a country I'm visiting, sometimes you fancy a little of what you're used to.
I'd definitely use local produce where applicable and steer clear of tinned beans and so on. I might also broaden it a little to include maybe some scrambled egg and smoked salmon on decent toasted french bread or maybe a breakfastified version of a croque monsieur.
I'll agree with the others with the french twist...and paying a premium/getting numbers beforehand.
There's lots of cooked breakfasts that are better than the full English - having the same 'full English' four or more mornings running is boring.
Good fresh local ingredients - eggs are very versatile:- scrambled, omelette, poached, boiled, fried...freshly cooked in minutes.
There's lots of cooked breakfasts that are better than the full English - having the same 'full English' four or more mornings running is boring.
Good fresh local ingredients - eggs are very versatile:- scrambled, omelette, poached, boiled, fried...freshly cooked in minutes.
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