Table Talk

And - don't tell me - they prefer comfortable beds? A year-long "breakfast development project" has led those canny folks at budget hotel chain Travel Inn to a stunning conclusion: Britons like eating breakfast. Having trialled different breakfast options at select sites, the company commissioned a survey of 2,165 people in March. The startling results reveal that people like eating bacon, sausages and toast in the mornings and appreciate being given a choice. Even more surprisingly, perhaps, a high number of respondents revealed that they rated value and not having to wait ages for their food quite highly. "The survey has proved to be a fascinating insight into our customers' breakfast habits," said Travel Inn's Clare Tresidder.

Don't look down - the eyes are the windows of your sole
Alison Robinson, managing director of contract caterer Artizian, has proved that she's as tough as old boots… or the soles of her feet are. The plucky contract caterer walked across 12ft of burning coals at ExCel in London's Docklands a few weeks ago as part of a four-day course called "Unleash the power within" organised by seasoned fire walker Tony Robins. Robinson said she took eight steps, but didn't feel a thing. "It was really quite incredible. You have to get yourself into a state and you mustn't look down. I can't believe I did it."

Plunge the parts into cold water and refresh before service Jamie Oliver's Valentine passion was extinguished by a nasty accident, according to reporters on Britain's most popular red top, the Sun. Apparently, the cheeky chappy stripped off to cook for his wife, Jools, as a Valentine's treat, only to get too close to the oven and burn his tackle. However, a source close to the Naked Chef told Table Talk that this excruciating experience happened six years ago. Who said the Currant Bun always breaks the hottest gossip?

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 15 - 21 April 2004