How to Plan Bed and Breakfast Meals

Breakfast is an essential element of any bed and breakfast operation. Weary travelers and vacationers alike look for quality meals to eat while away from home. A well planned menu may serve as a marketing strategy to dramatically draw in customers.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Create a written food plan that covers every detail of each meal. Make an intricate list of all the equipment necessary for food preparation, location of the meals as well as food service.

2. Establish the kind of food service to be offered by the inn: breakfast only, breakfast and dinner or three meals each. Decide to offer meals to the general public or only to the guests-in-residence. Determine the hours of food service.

3. Search cookbooks for creative, unique recipes that aren't available anywhere else. Take classes in food preparation. Focus on a speciality like Italian, seafood, vegetarian or American Classic cuisine. Hire a consulting chef to create signature recipes for the inn.

4. Hire a reliable support staff for kitchen prep, cooking and plating, dining room service and clean up. Conduct training sessions, especially for front-of-the house personnel to create a unified, consistent service.

5. Incorporate local, fresh ingredients into the menus when possible. Establish relationships with local growers and purveyors to assure the best possible product and consistent availability.

6. Offer a balanced menu that includes a meat, fish, pasta and/or vegetarian entrées at dinner. Be flexible and sensitive to special dietary needs like low-sodium, non-dairy, gluten-free and vegan.

7. Cultivate a few signature dishes, including a special dessert, that stands out in guests' reports as well as reviews by the media. Develop special, "secret" recipes to increase intrigue.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to research the licenses or certification requirements, such as a state food service permit or a food safety course.