‘I’m a hotel breakfast buffet expert - there’s a key etiquette rule some people forget’

Is there anything better than a hotel breakfast buffet? Apparently not, according to new research from the team at Asda Travel Insurance, which found that 60 percent of Britons book a holiday destination based on the quality of the buffet.

But how do you get the most out of the buffet and what should tourists avoid?

Asda Travel Insurance linked up with Oxford University mathematician Tom Crawford and buffet king Tim Lee (@timleeletsgo) to find out how to hack the breakfast buffet.

The team have even come up with a unique formula to get the maximum enjoyment from a buffet.

So should you start with hot or cold food and when's the best time to arrive? 

‌The buffet breakfast formula

• Optimum time of arrival - 8:17am. Spend 45 minutes at the buffet and leave at 9:02am.
• Keep an eye on your plates. The buffet might look tempting but the perfect number of plates to eat is two.
• First plate - Tom recommends starting with hot food such as bacon, sausages, beans, eggs and toast.
• Second plate- For the second plate, Tom recommends going with fruit, pastries, yoghurt and cereal.
• Ideal waiting time between plates - Tom suggests waiting 16 minutes between plates to aid digestion.

Buffet dos

• Tim recommends checking out the buffet offering before committing. He said: “I know it may be early in the morning and we want to fill out tummies quickly but take a little time to survey the buffet options on offer. Knowledge of the buffet layout and a little planning will make a good buffet experience great.”
• Enjoy a cocktail. Some buffets serve prosecco with breakfast and Tim says it’s fine to indulge. The buffet expert said: “You can absolutely enjoy a cocktail if it’s what you’d like.”
• Don’t be afraid. Tim suggests asking for a side of hollandaise if you’re bored of ketchup.

Buffet don’ts

• Keep it clean! Tim says: “You are not only sharing the experience but also sharing the serving utensils on the buffet line.”
• Don’t reuse the same plate at the buffet. Get a new plate for each course.
• Don’t skip the queue. Tim said: “Be respectful of the queues, embrace your inner Brit and our love for them, no skipping, be polite and no road rage!”