Wake-up calls

Healthy eating may be the buzz word of the 1990s but the popularity of a traditional English fry-up as the first meal of the day doesn't appear to be waning. Male customers in the UK and the USA are reported to be considerably more likely to order sausages, bacon and eggs, or fish; while their female counterparts opt for fresh-fruit platters, yogurt and cereals.

While chefs agree buffets need to look appetising and offer a selection for all tastes, menus are, naturally, consumer driven.

Anton Edelmann and John Williams, maîtres chefs de cuisine of London hotels the Savoy and Claridge's, respectively, agree that tradition wins hands down in the breakfast stakes with 80% of customers ordering a "fry-up".

Black pudding, bubble and squeak, and fish are top of the pops, but any cooked dishes sell well in the Savoy, says Edelmann.

Claridge's offers traditional English fare. Poached Fynnan haddock, kippers, kedgeree and eggs Florentine or Benedict are the most popular choices, according to Williams. Throughout January Claridge's has offered a selection of British speciality sausages on its breakfast menu - an idea which could easily be introduced to change the face of breakfasts at other establishments.

Several breakfast dishes which are served in New York could also be adapted by breakfast chefs on this side of the Atlantic. Susan Weaver, executive chef at New York's Four Seasons hotel, cooks lemon ricotta hotcakes (see recipe below), a speciality of the house that customers return to again and again, she says.

Another favourite is egg-white frittata, an open egg-white omelette with tomato and herbs; closely followed by bagels, oatmeal and a fresh-fruit platter.

Jean-Luc Deguines, food and beverage director at The Mark in New York, quotes duckling hash (cooked and ground duck meat mixed with spices) served with a poached egg as current chart-topper in the restaurant.

Breakfasts around the globe

Why not try something totally different such as themed breakfasts? Chef cast its net around the globe to explore the great variety of dishes served.

In Japan a traditional breakfast might include rice topped with raw egg, a selection of pickled vegetables, miso soup and green tea. In Vietnam sticky rice and Pho soup - pronounced "fur" - made with chicken, noodles, egg, onion, fish sauce, vinegar and lemon, is washed down with jasmine or green tea.

Two slices of bread with ham, mild salami, pâté and a sweet brown goats' cheese start the day in Norway. A glass of milk and coffee complete the meal.

In France it seems the traditional croissant has been relegated to the weekend. During the week, baguette with marmalade and butter, and a large coffee is order of the day.

South America prefers fresh fruit - papaya and melon are popular - freshly squeezed fruit juice and coffee, followed by french bread and cheese in Brazil, or eggs and refried beans in Mexico.

In Turkey feta cheese, olives, tomato and cucumber with bread, maybe an omelette to follow, and, naturally, Turkish coffee are favourite.

• What's new in breakfast foods.

Clear conscience

Naughty cravings and healthy eating come packaged together in chocolate muesli by Peppercorn's Natural Food Provisions. Containing nuts, fruit and fibre, it makes an interesting addition to any breakfast buffet selection.

Also new are Strawberry and Tropical Crunch, selected cereals and nuts with the addition of dried fruit.

And baby figs join the dried-fruit selection. They can be served alone or added to cereals and other fruit.

PRICES: Chocolate muesli, £2.25 per kg; Strawberry Crunch, £2.68 per kg; Tropical Crunch, £2.25 per kg; baby figs, £3.29 per kg

AVAILABLE FROM: Peppercorn's Natural Food Provisions

0181-961 4410

Yoghurt Alert

Cuisine longlife yogurts are now supplied in 2.25kg packs from Cuisine Foodservice. Strawberry, raspberry, black cherry and natural flavours are available and have a shelf life of 23 days.

Breakfast sausage is another new product. An all-pork sausage, it is sold nine to the pound. It comes separate and is supplied in 1.36kg boxes.

PRICES: Longlife yogurts, £2.88 per 2.25kg pack; breakfast sausage, £1.91 per 1.36kg box

AVAILABLE FROM: Cuisine Foodservice

0990 284746

Hash'd up

Round in shape, Farm Frites' hash browns are made of potato, onion and seasoning, and can be shallow-fried, deep-fried or oven-baked. The average weight per piece is 50g and they come packed in 10 x 1kg bags

PRICES: £1.23 per 1kg bag of 20 x 50g pieces

AVAILABLE FROM: Farm Frites UK

01452 415845

Tereal thriller

Six new cereals have been launched by Jordan Cereals.

First is Bran Crisp, a heart-shaped wheat and oat bran cereal, claimed to be high in fibre and low in fat. The Country Crisp range comes in strawberry, raspberry or luxury raisin, and contains freeze-dried fruit which rehydrates when milk is added.

Maple and Pecan Crunchy combines toasted oat and maple clusters with pecan nuts, while Special Recipe Muesli contains a mixture of apricots, apples, raisins, almonds, hazelnuts, brazil nuts, oats, wheat and barley.

Crispy muesli has lightly toasted wheat flakes added and Natural Country Muesli is a traditional combination.

PRICES: Bran Crisp, £13.41 per 12 x 375g pack; Country Crisp, £19.17 per 12 x 500g pack; Maple and Pecan Crunchy, £16.20 per 16 x 400g pack; Special Recipe Muesli, £16.80 per 14 x 500g pack; Crispy Muesli, £13.68 per 12 x 500g pack; Natural Country Muesli, £11.64 per 8 x 1kg pack

AVAILABLE FROM: Jordans

01767 318222

Waffling on

Potato waffles, mini waffles and potato letters are the latest offering from Kitchen Range Foods. All can be grilled, baked or fried from frozen in minutes. According to the manufacturer they are made from fresh potatoes and suitable for vegetarian and gluten-free diets.

PRICES: Potato waffles, £1.29 per pack of 16, 56.7g each; mini waffles, £1.40 per pack of 40, 25g each; potato letters, £1.49 per pack of 151, 6.69g each

AVAILABLE FROM: Kitchen Range Foods

01480 445900