As a chef, you have to be a pretty observant and analytical person. This is something which I’ve been only too aware of, as I’ve enjoyed a few days out of the kitchen.

Something that has really captured my attention is peoples’ breakfast habits when visiting a hotel. A hotel is an Aladdin’s cave of excitement for breakfast and the gloves are off! There’s so much choice and in my experience, even six different types of mustard! That lift door opens and suddenly your stomach speaks to you and tells you that you’re hungry. That first whiff of sausages always does it for me!

It’s very interesting to watch people during breakfast time and observe their choices. This is especially true with a buffet style breakfast where the choice is varied and often all- inclusive. You see the buffet right in front of you and you can eat a six-course breakfast and not even notice. You clear the porridge, then onto the fruit salad, a muffin then onto the main event, the hot breakfast accompanied by a side of toast. The sweet crepes are next up and you’ve easily consumed over 4,000 calories before you properly open your eyes!

Breakfast is unlike any other meal. At breakfast you don’t over think your choices and you don’t usually know what you want before you take your seat. You are taken in by the smells, the colour, the look and most importantly, the fact you can have as much as you like. Gluttony takes over. You’re always thinking about what you’re going to eat next, you’re watching and taking inspiration from around the room.

That’s why a good hotel breakfast is so important. It leaves guests feeling full and satisfied. Buffet breakfasts are an Aladdin’s cave but it can be like opening Pandora’s Box if you don’t know when to stop which we’re all guilty of sometimes!