18 minute read
Breakfast epiphany: Grab & Go breakfasts
By Sarah Davison, Industry Reporter
Between wanting a relaxing holiday liein, making that early business meeting, a dawn fl ight or just heading out early to explore, guests are oft en time-poor in the morning.
To cater to guests with tight schedules, consider adding some ‘Grab and Go’ breakfast options to your accommodation’s menu. Not only will ‘Grab and Go’ options appeal to busy guests but will also go towards increasing overall business revenue.
However, to ensure your menu meets the needs of your clientele, it’s important to consider the current trends in food and beverage.
Off er a variety of breakfast options
commissioned by Agoda, revealed the top things international travellers look for when they book accommodation in Australia, and the results might surprise you. While cleanliness, friendly staff , a comfy bed, great location and value for money have in the main proven decisive factors, now research shows a complimentary breakfast is the number one expectation on most people’s list. with 70 percent of respondents expecting their accommodation to off er a complimentary breakfast. They also want options. What they look for in a breakfast very much depends on where they come from in the world. Agoda’s Oceania Director, Zsuzsanna Janos said the research showed it was increasingly important for hotel owners to know where their guests were coming from and match their off erings accordingly.
Images courtesy of The Handmade Food Co
Health and wellbeing choices
Other research shows consumers have refocused on their health, aft er indulging in comfort foods during the COVID-19 pandemic and they are looking for healthier options. In the top 10 for 2022 are immunity-boosting snacks and alternative sweeteners. To appeal to your health-conscious guests and those with food sensitivities or allergies ensure your ‘Grab and Go’ choices include gluten-free, nut free, whole-food, low carb, low sugar or protein options. Think tubs of Greek yoghurt, muesli and protein bars, superfood smoothies, chia puddings and low-sugar muffi ns. Nutrition-packed beverages such as kombucha might also be a worthwhile addition, with consumers showing an increasing preference for functional health drinks over soft drinks and juices. While wholefood options and superfoods can be costly, healthconscious guests are more
Include vegetarian and vegan off erings
Don’t forget your vegetarian, vegan, and fl exitarian guests, while vegetarianism and veganism remain popular, the number of consumers now defi ning themselves as “fl exitarian” has risen steadily. Defi ned as “plant-curious” eaters, fl exitarians choose to reduce the overall amount of animal products they consume. It may also be wise to have a look at your meat and dairy suppliers because while fl exitarians still consume animal products on occasion, consumer trends have seen increased demand for highquality meat, dairy and eggs. The trend is believed to be a result of increasing awareness of animal wellness and environmental concern.
Source local
When curating your ‘Grab and Go’ menu, ensure to select Australian sourced and locally produced products if available- because your guests will love it if you can tell them where the eggs in their breakfast are from.
Image courtesy of Le Pack Accommodation Supplies Australia
Sustainability is important
From paper straws to biodegradable coff ee cups, the market has clearly responded to a global push for more sustainable food packaging. In fact, the “What’s Hot” October 2021 National Restaurant Association Survey ranked sustainable packaging as the top trend for 2022.
Additionally, Waitrose’s 2022 Food & Drink Report found that nearly 70 percent of surveyed customers said the carbon footprint of their diet was important. When considering your ‘Grab n Go’ menu, ensure you provide biodegradable food packing to help minimise your accommodation’s carbon footprint and appeal to environmentally conscious guests. Additionally, look at providing green bins for guests to dispose of their biodegradable packing and food waste.
Stocking the essential Accommodation Supplies
LePack has a wide range of supplies to suit any Accommodations needs with Amenities, Food & Beverage, Electrical appliances, Accessories, Bed Linen & Towels, Bathroom and Housekeeping essentials.
Lepack has a strong focus on Australian sourced products, all packed in our HACCP approved premises. LePack off er a wide range in Guest Amenities items such as Shampoo, Conditioner, Shower Gel, Body Lotion, Soaps, as well as all Food & Beverage consumable items such as Tea, Coff ee, Sugar and more. Our range also includes a wide selection of Hotel Linen and Housekeeping supplies with the essential bedding and towel options to suit any accommodation, as well as housekeeping trolleys, cleaning equipment and toilet paper products.
Call LePack today and they will help you with all things Accommodation Supplies www.lepack.com.au.
Complete Breakfast Pack
LePack supplies convenient and tasty Breakfast, Lunch and Snack packs to the Accommodation Industry Australia wide. With a strong focus on Australian sourced products, all packed in our HACCP approved premises.
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Not only convenient, green bins will also highlight your accommodation’s commitment to sustainability.
Coffee time?
For many guests, coffee in the morning will be non-negotiable. When considering ‘Grab and Go’ options, it is important to ensure they have access to quality coffee on the go. Cold brew cans are popular choices for consumers looking for convenience, while specialty coffee bags are another option. Juice may also be a popular choice for guests in summer. Consider upselling by providing guests with a choice of freshly squeezed juice in the morning. Link into the current wellness trend by allowing guests to add ginger, turmeric, or wheatgrass to their juice.
Big breakfast
For guests looking to start the day off with a hearty breakfast, it’s important to offer some substantial options on the ‘Grab and Go’ menu.
A choice of fresh breads and pastries always goes down well with guests from around the globe. Egg and bacon muffins, breakfast burritos, cheese and ham croissants and even a frittata are good options for guests on the go, while giving them enough fuel for a busy day. For a meat-free option, think veggie breakfast sandwiches, a warming bowl of porridge or oat milk and cereal.
Brad Richmond, Operations Manager at Lepack agreed that guests love a free breakfast and ‘grab and go’ breakfast packs are a very affordable way to satisfy that demand. “Guests also like the flexibility of being able to use the packs at any time of the day, whether it be for early checkout or even a late-night snack,” he said. With hygiene still a top priority for guests Mr Richmond also pointed out that the packs are a perfect hygiene friendly option. Furthermore, he said breakfast packs can also increase revenue for accommodation providers because they “save time and money in labour”. He added: “Our packs are ready made to give or sell straight to guests as a meal option. They can also be sold at a profit with little effort involved.”
On current trends he revealed: “Guests will always demand a variety of options and our ‘Variety Breakfast Pack’ range is very popular, it features a choice of cereal, juice, snack bar and fruit or muffin.
“Our location specific packaging options are also very on trend with Tropical, Coastal, Outback and Australiana options available.” Guests do want more sustainable products and packaging according to Mr Richmond. He said: “However, all industries should care about a more sustainable future, and not just because guests are demanding it. It is time for a switch to sustainably sourced and recyclable wooden spoons and biodegradable bowls.” He added that “sustainability is also about using Australian sourced products where possible”. David Taylor the National Sales Manager at The Handmade Food Co told AccomNews, in his opinion a good breakfast is all about the bread!
He said: “Guests are happy when they are presented with a fantastic variety of bread, they love artisan breads, café classics toasties as well as gluten free options. With traditional bacon and egg or ham and cheese fillings shown to be the most popular choices for breakfast.” “For this reason, we offer classic breakfast combinations across various bread types including ciabattas, Turkish breads, café style toasties, croissants and even our popular croque monsieur.” On current trends he revealed he’s seen an increase in demand for quality products with dietary preferences or requirements. He said: “We added harissa vegetable with hummus and other plant-based sandwiches and wraps to our range. We also have a tasty gluten-free ham and cheese toastie, which comes in a heat proof bag to prevent cross contamination with glutinous products.” To satisfy international guests Mr Taylor agreed that “variety is key”. He said: “Offering proteins like beef, ham and chicken combinations as well as vegetarian means you have something to appeal to a broad audience.”
Mr Taylor confirmed guests do love local produce. He said: “The consistent feedback received from guests (especially international travellers) is how much they appreciate an Australian business who takes great pride in sourcing ingredients locally.” When accommodations make the choice to offer ‘Grab and Go’ breakfasts Mr Taylor pointed out an obvious benefit is the savings that can be made on labour costs.
He said: “We know there is a real shortage of labour across the industry. Having quality preprepared food at your fingertips when you simply do not have staff is so important. The other major benefit to buying in a frozen product like ours, is you can minimise your wastage.” Flexibility is key, especially when the accommodation sector is dealing with fluctuations in demand he said.
“Another challenge we hear from the accommodation industry is how important it is to be able to provide a meal or snack for guests when they arrive at odd hours. Many hotels purchase our products, so they always have something tasty on hand to satisfy a hungry guest outside kitchen hours.” Finally, he added: “Smart operators keep our pre-made food offer on hand to capitalise on every opportunity without compromising on quality.
David Taylor, National Sales Manager, The Handmade Food Co
Short on staff ? You’re not short on options
Like so many sectors in Australia, the accommodation industry is suff ering from the nationwide labour shortage.
To meet this challenge headon, savvy businesses are looking for innovative ways to provide their guests with the same great experience but with fewer resources.
Many operators are turning to a pre-made off er as a tasty, cost-eff ective and speedy alternative to support their food service needs.
The Handmade Food Co is an Australian family-owned business and we pride ourselves on using the best quality locally sourced ingredients. Our extensive product range under our Everyday Café brand spans the 24-hour menu including breakfast, lunch, room service and aft er hours. Created with years of experience in the cafe market and drawing on world inspired fl avours as well as traditional favourites, our product range has a solution to suit everyone. Popular favourites include grab-and-go sandwiches and wraps as well as hot breakfast and lunch options that can be heated or toasted upon request. Your guests will love choosing between café style toasties and artisan breads, including Turkish and ciabatt a. Plant based and gluten free options are also off ered throughout the Everyday Café range. Our products are delivered to you frozen, so there is minimal wastage and fuss. You simply thaw what you need as you need it giving you all the convenience a frozen pre-made off er provides with the look, taste and feel of freshly made. You’ll never need to worry about disappointing late or unexpected arrivals again. With The Handmade Food Co pre-made products on hand, you will always have something delicious, quick, and easy to serve your guests.
Our convenient food off er is available nationally through foodservice distributors to all metro and regional areas across Australia. Backed by a quality assurance team and HACCP certifi ed, food safety and consistency are guaranteed.
To fi nd out more about how we can help you create great food experiences for your guests, call us on 1300 722 748 or email sales@thehandmadefoodco.com.au
EVERYDAY CAFÉ
All of the benefits of a pre-made food offer without compromising on quality
NERO COOL TOUCH KETTLE
For those properties wanting to give their guests that litt le bit extra, the Nero Double Wall kett le fi ts the bill. Covered by an outer plastic shell over a stainless-steel body, the kett le is cool to touch even when boiled. Its 0.8L capacity is perfect for the accommodation industry and its black matt fi nish fi ts any décor. Other features include a concealed element for easy cleaning, 360-degree rotational base for easy access and push butt on lid for easy fi lling. This is another innovative product from Nero, Australia’s largest range of accommodation electrical appliances. C Weatherdon P 02 9906 2202 E sales@weatherdon.com.au W Weatherdon.com.au
PULLMAN PL950 CORDLESS BACKPACK VACUUM
The PL950 from Pullman is a powerful cordless backpack vacuum engineered to lead the way in cleanliness and hygiene in the hotels and accommodation sectors. This model is renowned for its Eco Mode ensuring very low noise emissions and the patented Advanced Gulper Floor Tool meaning your guests will never be disturbed. No matt er how vast your fl oor space is, the 5.5L capacity paired with an effi cient award-winning patented ergonomic design means you’ll get the job done comfortably with minimal interruption. Impressively, the unique Blowerport function transforms the backpack into a blower, allowing for maximum adaptability for any application. C Godfreys Commercial P 1800 314 580 E Weatherdon.com.au W godfreyscommercial.com.au
NARDI DOGA RANGE
Introducing the Doga range from Nardi, it encompasses all you have come to expect from Nardi. Italian made with Italian fl air, designed, and built for commercial use featuring fi berglass reinforced polyprop for maximum strength and durability. Choose from the arm or armless dining chair or the Relax version, also complimented by a matching side table. All options stack and are available in six on trend colours. Enquire now about the Doga range or any of our resort focused products. C Daydream Furniture P 07 5493 4277
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SPRINTBOK INNOVATIVE MANUAL, CURVED TREADMILL
• Made in Germany • Innovative manual, curved treadmill • Encourages ergonomic running style – reducing the likelihood of injury • Burn 30% more calories than on a conventional treadmill • Available in a range sustainable hardwood • Full commercial warranty C WaterRower Australia P 02 9898 1405 E admin@waterrower.com.au W waterrower.com.au
XS4 ORIGINAL KEYPAD
The SALTO XS4 Original Keypad smart lock offers the ultimate in flexibility for accommodation venues particularly looking for an automated booking system. The Original Keypad offers three forms of authentication for guests, covering pincode, card/fob and a mobile key. With software integration, the pincode, for example, can be automatically generated and sent to a guest when they book, saving administrative time and making for a smooth experience. The XS4 Original Keypad is also available in a variety of finish colours, enabling it to complement any décor. C SALTO Systems P 03 8683 9782 E info.oceania@saltosystems.com W hospitality.saltosystems.com
CHRISTIE’S ICON ACCESSIBLE BARBECUE CABINET
Christie’s ICON Accessible Barbecue Cabinet has received a prestigious Good Design Award recognising its outstanding design and innovation. The ICON cabinet is a modern interpretation of Christie’s Modular cabinet that has become synonymous with Australian public barbecues. The versatile design incorporates current requirements for sustainability, inclusivity, and occupational health and safety. The Good Design Awards Jury commented: “A definite improvement on existing offerings, the design has thoughtfully considered the experience of users of all abilities. The considerations of social distancing are also thoughtful. Aesthetically the design is robust and clean, and will integrate well into public spaces.” Learn more about the award-winning ICON cabinet at www.dachristie.com C Christie Barbecues P 03 9708 2999 E sales@dachristie.com W dachristie.com
COMPASS BATTERY-FREE BATHROOM SCALES
Save time and help the planet with the new battery-free bathroom scales from Australia’s leading guestroom products supplier. Just step on the central button and quickly get an accurate reading. No more calls to the front desk to replace the batteries. Hours saved for housekeeping not having to check if the batteries are working. The Compass scale has a maximum capacity of 180kg and gives readings in both kilograms (kg) and pounds (lb). It has a large easy to read LCD display and an elegant 6mm safety glass with rounded edges. Compass is the range of quality bathroom and laundry items from Weatherdon, Australia’s premier guestroom supply company. C Weatherdon P 02 9906 2202 E Weatherdon.com.au W sales@weatherdon.com.au
Preferred Supplier Programme
assisting the industry
For over twenty fi ve years in Australia the preferred supplier programme and directory has been an extremely valuable and eff ective tool for accommodation managers.
It allows managers to access industry specialists who are committ ed to the highest levels of service and dedicated to the accommodation and hospitality industries. This is extremely helpful for all accommodation providers but especially new managers as it allows them to benefi t from the positive experiences other managers have had with their suppliers. Listed below are the stages of the process that ensure only the best industry suppliers can participate in the Preferred Supplier Programme: 1. All suppliers must receive a nomination from a property currently using their services that is completely satisfi ed with their levels of service and are prepared to recommend them to another complex in the industry (ie. if asked by another manager they could comfortably recommend the required supplier). 2. All nominations received are then qualifi ed through a secondary questionnaire process to ensure nominated suppliers are able to provide the highest levels of service required and expected by managers. 3. Suppliers that still qualify are then asked to commit to the required levels of service for the next 12 months guaranteeing their commitment to the industry. 4. Subject to the satisfaction of these processes and commitments suppliers then go on to the Preferred Supplier Database. Only Preferred Suppliers in this database have the opportunity to utilise the Preferred Supplier logo and make their contact details available to managers via the Preferred Supplier Directory, located in every issue of the AccomNews magazine and online at accomnews.com.au.
5. Preferred suppliers have their status reviewed every 12 months to ensure they still qualify and that their commitment to the industry is being met. With these criteria in place it means that you as a manager have access to a complete range of specialist suppliers who are actively seeking to improve their services to the accommodation industry. For your own peace of mind when dealing with any supplier ask if they are a Preferred Supplier. This can be verifi ed by viewing a Preferred Supplier logo – made available for use in any of their stationery or marketing material or more simply by locating them in the Preferred Supplier Directory. So when looking for products or services give yourself the peace of mind that you are dealing with a recognised industry specialist and support these suppliers who are committ ed to servicing your needs.
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