Whether you love them or hate them, buffets are a popular setup in the restaurant world. The idea of the buffet has its roots in the Swedish smorgasbord, which was originally a spread of appetizers (usually meats and cheeses) offered before the main course. The Stockholm Olympics elevated the idea to the world stage in 1912, and the concept was expanded to include the main meal with everything from soup and salad to dessert and more.
There are many kinds of buffets, ranging from the luxury hotel Sunday brunch to the bargain "hometown" diners. The best thing about all of them is that you can actually see what you will eat before your plate hits the table. Many restaurants offer an "all you can eat" buffet meal with a set price. It can be a good value if you stay aware of what you are eating.
These restaurants can make money because they normally need
fewer employees. They don't need servers to take orders and wait tables.
Employees are expensive. Here
is some buffet science and psychology to keep in mind for your next trip to a
modern-day smorgasbord to get the most out of your trip to the buffet.
·
Don't
starve yourself before going to the buffet-Meals eaten earlier in the day
should be light and moderate. If you are planning to eat a lot at the buffet,
you should be hydrated, so drink water beforehand. Proper digestion requires
water. Gassy soda drinks or alcohol will not help the buffet adventure.
·
Get
an overview-When
you arrive at the dining venue, salads are usually right up front. Fresh raw
vegetables are good for you, but if you are getting a lot of filling iceberg
lettuce and hard bread croutons, you might be full before you get to the
seafood and prime rib. If you know what is ahead, you can focus on the
"good stuff."
·
Take
small portions-If
the buffet has unlimited refills, as most do, you can always go back. You don't
want to get stuck with a large serving of macaroni and cheese that doesn't
taste as good as it looks.
·
Watch
the starch-Dishes
like potatoes, rice, pasta, and bread are inexpensive and filling (like the
iceberg lettuce) the restaurant hopes you take a lot of these inexpensive
dishes so you have less room for the more expensive offerings.
·
Choose
things that you do not cook at home for yourself- I saw a man at a rather pricey
breakfast buffet with a plate piled high with scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast.
He completely skipped the smoked salmon with caviar, fresh mangoes, and papaya,
grilled trout with sautéed mushrooms, and the cream cheese cherry blintzes. So,
you say, bacon and toast was what he liked, but why pay 30 bucks for something
you could get at the nearby diner for $2.99?
·
Try
to eat slowly and don't overeat-I know this is a tough one, almost impossible, but you can
suffer later if you don't use a little selectivity and restraint. Taking a
probiotic capsule, drinking some herbal tea, or using your favorite digestive
aid might be a good idea. Sit still for a moment. Take a few deep breaths and
wait at least a minute or two before going back for the refill. You can have it
all, but try not to.
·
Use
a little selectivity-This
is the time for a little self-restraint. Try to be aware of which foods are
way, way, way too high in calories and fat. The challenge is in trying to eat
only things that are good for you. When there is a wide selection, you should
be able to do it. The "bad" things should at least be in much smaller
portions. If you are gulping down quarts of soft drinks and piling up French
fries on your plate and starting on your third serving of chili, you might be
abusing the buffet experience. Remember, too, the sodas are full of filling
gas.
·
Clean
your plate-It
is considered bad manners to leave buffet food uneaten on your plate, so choose
carefully. The unwritten rule is "you take it, you eat it," so make
sure it is something you really want. Of course, there are times when one
particular thing does not meet your expectations, and that is understandable.
If one particular thing tastes a little "off" or is not what you
thought it was, it is reasonable to push it aside. Some of the "bargain
buffets" will charge you extra (by weight) for wasted food. Of course,
"doggie bags" are not acceptable at all-you-can-eat venues. Bones and
other inedible parts are exempt from the rule.
·
Desserts-Buffet desserts are usually small
portions, but this is still the most dangerous part of a buffet experience.
Some people are determined to sample all of them. This is a bad idea. The fat
and sugar calories can be staggering. This is a great place to practice self
control even if you have failed up to this point. A little frozen yogurt might
be good for digestion or maybe some fresh fruit if you need something sweet.
“I like serving family-style or
setting up a buffet. Everyone just goes to town, scoops their own food, and
mixes their own drinks. You know how people love to come and watch you in the
kitchen now and talk your ear off? If you give them something to do and
something to drink, they don't do that as much.”
(Chrissy Teigen)[i]
[i] Sources used:
·
“The truth about
buffets “By Debra Kelly
·
“How to
Eat Well at a Buffet: A Sensible Guide” by Rochelle
Frank
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