Brunch like Royalty this Season with these 6 Tips
Foodie influencers and chefs explain in the below piece, to really enjoy the brunch experience, you'll need to take note of these six tips.
25/10/2022
Across South Africa, we've seen the opening of all-day breakfast establishments looking to carry brunch well into the evening. Trends like Dubai-style long brunches have also hit SA’s shores. But... What makes a good brunch?
Foodie influencers and chefs explain in the below piece, to really enjoy the brunch experience, you'll need to take note of these six tips.
What makes a good brunch? Long, lazy
culinary sessions, preferably with a view.
Famously known for starting with a round of
drinks and ending with a belt-loosening
satisfaction. Brunch is a favourite across the
world, particularly during the warmer months
when fresh spring and summer produce can be
enjoyed in the comfort of the outdoors.
Trends like Dubai-style long brunches have hit
SA’s shores with Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront
recently having launched its seasonal Breakers
Brunch. A three-hour long buffet and
platter-style seasonal food and drink experience
on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Head Chef
Norman Heath comments that “Brunch should be all
about enjoyment, good food and fun. Think
bottomless drinks, an incredible menu, stunning
views and captivating live music.”
It’s
so popular in fact that, across South Africa,
we've also seen the opening of all-day breakfast
establishments looking to carry brunch well into
the evening. Strictly speaking though, brunch is
best enjoyed between the hours of 11:00 am and
16:00, not quite, breakfast, not quite dinner
and not quite lunch.
To really enjoy the brunch experience, however, you'll need to take note of a few tips.
Get a crew together
Brunch should be enjoyed in good company. It’s a social experience that includes bringing people together through food and drink. Having more friends or family at your table ensures that through everyone ordering something different, you can share each other’s dishes and have a full experience of the menu. For buffet-style brunches that offer more dishes than one person can eat, strategise who will pick up what and share as many dishes as possible among each other.
Come hungry
While brunch doesn’t strictly have to be a heavy meal. However, the fact that it’s lunch and breakfast in one means that you’ll want to make sure that you’re sustaining yourself for the day with what you eat. Enjoy only a light breakfast that morning if you must and make sure to arrive hungry. You will be disappointed if you aren’t able to eat everything you want to because you decided to fill up before you arrived.
Cape Town local, Lauren Paris, recently had the chance to try the Breakers Brunch and her advice is similar: “Go hungry, don't forget your shades, relax and allow the flavours to take you on a journey.”
Start light and pace yourself
Generally speaking, proteins and carbohydrates fill us up faster than fruits and vegetables. The trick is to start off with light fruits and vegetable starters, followed by carbohydrates like savoury pastries and bread. These can then be followed by protein heavy-options like egg dishes, seafood, meats and pulses. Include fats like avocado, butter and heavy creams as desired.
Food and travel influencer, GotThePassports, advises: “Make sure to take breaks in between, stand up to look at a view or take pictures in order to not fill yourself up too fast”.
Remember that brunch etiquette is a thing
During peak season when great eateries are fully packed, guests who decide to go off the menu by ordering complicated dishes can hold up service for everyone. Similarly ordering coffee or drinks that are not on the menu can hold up other drinks orders. If you’re not sure whether a menu offers the types of dishes you’d like to try out, consider calling in advance or going online to find out about the menu selection. Be kind to busy waiting staff, especially with regard to bottomless drinks orders. “A general rule of thumb for large tables referring to bottomless drinks orders is that there should be no more empty drinks on the table than there are people.” notes Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront Food & Beverage Manager, Colleen Lategan
End it off right
After arriving with
excitement and zest at the prospect of a lavish
meal with friends, your food experience will
likely leave you feeling relaxed and full. To
counteract this and the mimosas you enjoyed,
order a coffee about half an hour before you
leave and make sure to end off with a selection
of desserts.
If brunch was really good,
halfway through the meal you’ll likely have
cancelled the rest of your plans for the day
making time for a long satisfying post-brunch
siesta, ending off a day filled with the dreams
that summers are made of.
Arrange your transport home
If you are going to be
indulging in bottomless alcoholic beverages - or
even just one - be sure to arrange for a lift
home. A ride hailing service such as Uber could
work or ask family or a friend to be your lift
home. It’s silly season, but there’s no reason
to take unnecessary risks. Be safe, have fun.