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simpleasabc
Posts 7264
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18/07/2012 17:01:19
Thanks for the link and info, dxbinthecity.
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dxbinthecity
Posts 106
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18/07/2012 14:51:37
simpleasabc wrote: dxbinthecity wrote: The Dangerous Blonde wrote:
Back in the UK recently I went to my local Chinese restaurant and they had a buffet going on. Not the typical lavish spread they throw here, but you could also order from the menu.
HOWEVER - if you left any food on your plate, they charged you for it!! Thought it was rather a novel concept and people might think twice here before piling heaps of food onto their plates (as if it's going to run out!!)
Do the hotels allow labourers or the poor to come and take the waste after iftars? Is it allowed? Might be a nice idea altho not sure whether it's OK due to food hygiene. Nope, anything leftover from the hotel Iftars all goes in the bin every night regardless of how good it still is. Surely bona fide voluntary organizations could arrange for the collection and distribution of perfectly good food left over from over-catering at hotels all year round? I suppose this possibility has been investigated and found impractical.
Dubai Municipality laws do not allow for the recycling of food presented on a buffet table beyond four hours after they're taken off the display: and that's for produce with a longer shelf life. Fast-spoiling foods such as salads, seafood and fruits have to go straight to the bin as soon as they're taken off the buffet table.
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/too-much-on-their-plate-such-a-waste-1.847040
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The Dangerous Blonde
Posts 2141
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18/07/2012 14:51:26
Surely the food can't go bad if it is only 15 mins after the buffet closes.
Perhaps they can tie up with a charity who will distribute the food / round up people to come to the hotel's back entrance for a 10pm meal.
When I worked at M&S back home, all the sandwiches that were going off the next day would be put in a big lorry and distributed to the nearest homeless shelter. Some days there were crates and crates of them. I know a refrigerated sandwich is different to a hot meal, and they can be in trouble if people get poisoned, but it would give them a huge amount of great PR too. I would eat leftover buffet food lol!
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simpleasabc
Posts 7264
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18/07/2012 14:47:52
dxbinthecity wrote: The Dangerous Blonde wrote:
Back in the UK recently I went to my local Chinese restaurant and they had a buffet going on. Not the typical lavish spread they throw here, but you could also order from the menu.
HOWEVER - if you left any food on your plate, they charged you for it!! Thought it was rather a novel concept and people might think twice here before piling heaps of food onto their plates (as if it's going to run out!!)
Do the hotels allow labourers or the poor to come and take the waste after iftars? Is it allowed? Might be a nice idea altho not sure whether it's OK due to food hygiene. Nope, anything leftover from the hotel Iftars all goes in the bin every night regardless of how good it still is.
Surely bona fide voluntary organizations could arrange for the collection and distribution of perfectly good food left over from over-catering at hotels all year round? I suppose this possibility has been investigated and found impractical.
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Marroosh
Posts 2716
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18/07/2012 14:46:21
The Dangerous Blonde wrote: Marroosh wrote: Hugsys wrote:
Have you seen the chinese restaurant somewhere in UK where they fine customers for leaving food on their plates at their buffet! So either you eat up or you put less in! If they do that here hotels will make even more revenues. I love the idea though  Yeah that's what I mentioned below - was quite intrigued. How would they fine you? By weight or amount of food? Or a flat fee? LOL!
Would be interesting.. I think the average buffet hawk will end up paying double lol
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Marroosh
Posts 2716
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18/07/2012 14:45:42
dxbinthecity wrote: The Dangerous Blonde wrote:
I understand that some dishes need to be cooked hours in advance, but I wonder if they could introduce some sort of live cooking station system whereby food is cooked as necessary for certain dishes like mixed grills etc. Would certainly reduce waste.
Have to say, I think it is more people piling their plates tho than actual untouched food from the buffet going to waste. The hotels should set the head chefs targets to reduce waste. Makes a mockery when there are so many who survive on very basic iftars or get none at all. Its actually a mix of both factors, 50% of food on plates is wasted becasue people overload more than they can eat and hotels prepare excessive amounts, one 5* hotel admitted that they offer up to 50 different dishes per night and base the amount they prepare as 100gms per person per dish. Thats makes a total of 5 kg of food prepared per potential customer, which even if they numbers of customers is realised is not all going to be eaten as the stomach cannot hold 5 kilos of food. Depending on numbers that show for Iftar on any given night the wastage is often 50%.
But then would guests accept it when the chef says "sorry it's finished"? In 5* hotels people have expectations... But they calculate way too much food per person, plus, a fasting person can only eat so much food! Really, you feel so hungry before you break your fats but you end up only eating small portions. Rule is: 1third for food, 1 third for drink/water, 1 third for AIR!
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The Dangerous Blonde
Posts 2141
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18/07/2012 14:36:14
Marroosh wrote: Hugsys wrote:
Have you seen the chinese restaurant somewhere in UK where they fine customers for leaving food on their plates at their buffet! So either you eat up or you put less in! If they do that here hotels will make even more revenues. I love the idea though
Yeah that's what I mentioned below - was quite intrigued. How would they fine you? By weight or amount of food? Or a flat fee? LOL!
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dxbinthecity
Posts 106
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18/07/2012 14:35:22
The Dangerous Blonde wrote:
I understand that some dishes need to be cooked hours in advance, but I wonder if they could introduce some sort of live cooking station system whereby food is cooked as necessary for certain dishes like mixed grills etc. Would certainly reduce waste.
Have to say, I think it is more people piling their plates tho than actual untouched food from the buffet going to waste. The hotels should set the head chefs targets to reduce waste. Makes a mockery when there are so many who survive on very basic iftars or get none at all.
Its actually a mix of both factors, 50% of food on plates is wasted becasue people overload more than they can eat and hotels prepare excessive amounts, one 5* hotel admitted that they offer up to 50 different dishes per night and base the amount they prepare as 100gms per person per dish. Thats makes a total of 5 kg of food prepared per potential customer, which even if they numbers of customers is realised is not all going to be eaten as the stomach cannot hold 5 kilos of food. Depending on numbers that show for Iftar on any given night the wastage is often 50%.
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Marroosh
Posts 2716
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18/07/2012 14:30:48
Hugsys wrote:
Have you seen the chinese restaurant somewhere in UK where they fine customers for leaving food on their plates at their buffet! So either you eat up or you put less in!
If they do that here hotels will make even more revenues. I love the idea though
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Hugsys
Posts 618
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18/07/2012 14:24:59
Have you seen the chinese restaurant somewhere in UK where they fine customers for leaving food on their plates at their buffet! So either you eat up or you put less in!
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The Dangerous Blonde
Posts 2141
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18/07/2012 13:58:16
I understand that some dishes need to be cooked hours in advance, but I wonder if they could introduce some sort of live cooking station system whereby food is cooked as necessary for certain dishes like mixed grills etc. Would certainly reduce waste.
Have to say, I think it is more people piling their plates tho than actual untouched food from the buffet going to waste. The hotels should set the head chefs targets to reduce waste. Makes a mockery when there are so many who survive on very basic iftars or get none at all.
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Marroosh
Posts 2716
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18/07/2012 13:51:09
dxbinthecity wrote: The Dangerous Blonde wrote:
Back in the UK recently I went to my local Chinese restaurant and they had a buffet going on. Not the typical lavish spread they throw here, but you could also order from the menu.
HOWEVER - if you left any food on your plate, they charged you for it!! Thought it was rather a novel concept and people might think twice here before piling heaps of food onto their plates (as if it's going to run out!!)
Do the hotels allow labourers or the poor to come and take the waste after iftars? Is it allowed? Might be a nice idea altho not sure whether it's OK due to food hygiene. Nope, anything leftover from the hotel Iftars all goes in the bin every night regardless of how good it still is.
It's most likely due to hygiene and safety reasons hotels don't allow food to be taken out. But then they need to be more careful and not prepare such ridiculous amounts of food.
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dxbinthecity
Posts 106
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18/07/2012 13:49:56
The Dangerous Blonde wrote:
Back in the UK recently I went to my local Chinese restaurant and they had a buffet going on. Not the typical lavish spread they throw here, but you could also order from the menu.
HOWEVER - if you left any food on your plate, they charged you for it!! Thought it was rather a novel concept and people might think twice here before piling heaps of food onto their plates (as if it's going to run out!!)
Do the hotels allow labourers or the poor to come and take the waste after iftars? Is it allowed? Might be a nice idea altho not sure whether it's OK due to food hygiene.
Nope, anything leftover from the hotel Iftars all goes in the bin every night regardless of how good it still is.
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dxbinthecity
Posts 106
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18/07/2012 13:35:35
Hugsys wrote:
What iftars have you been to? I havent seen anything like this but I've only been to 3 at the marriot marina, ritz carlton jbr and antlantis.
This was quite a few years ago and I have never since been back to any Iftar at any hotel, but the serving dish snatch took place at the Raddisson Blu and the barging happening at the soup station on the buffet at another smaller hotel that I cannot remember, but do recall distinctly the two large pushy women who physically squeezed me out and emptied the soup caldron so I got no soup as there was no more in the kitchen to replenish it.
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Marroosh
Posts 2716
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18/07/2012 13:27:58
dxbinthecity wrote: mushypeas wrote: Marroosh wrote: aline_jlt wrote: Marroosh wrote: dxbinthecity wrote:
I think the 'foodfests' at the hotels Iftars totally offputing. When I see mountains of food I actually lose my appetite especially knowing that 50% of it is going to end up wasted in the trash, I've seen entire serving dishes full of legs of lamb and heaps of freshly cooked rice outside in hotel bins.
I hope we are going to see more initiatives to reduce waste this year. Around 1850 tonnes of food ended in the trash every day in Dubai over last Ramadan. This is so out of keeping with the spirit of the month. It's awful and one of the reasons I refuse to go to hotels for Iftar. It goes against the purpose of Ramadan in every way possible. The least they can do is feed people, there are people lining up every day in front of masjids waiting for a meal. I like to break my fast at home, with my close friends, with 3 dates, some water and a cup of soup. Then after we pray we have our meal. But even then you can't eat to much because it is highly recommended you go for the taraweeh prayers which is not recommended when you're stuffed completely! soo true , but if you got invited to rest/hotel what you do,,, usually i eat date then water , pray then contn iftar . I only go if it is for a charity. At least then I know where the money goes. But overall I don't like these iftars, I am much more happy to be just with a few people at home rather than seeing people attack a buffet as soon as the adhan goes. Ive seen people rush to the buffets and pile up the plates before the adhan and then just sit with a plate full of food waiting  Yes, that's another aspect that puts me off too, I have been at hotel Iftars where I've seen people pick up the entire serving tray and take it for themselves alone leaving nothiing of that dish for anyone else. Also been physically barged away from the table while trying to serve myself. The manners of some people really makes you wonder why they even do it.
Such a shame, people are really killing the purpose!
But to give any tips on buffets, I like the Indian restaurant in Ibn Battuta.. Small, not a massive selection of food but good enough And it's a small place too.
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Hugsys
Posts 618
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18/07/2012 13:25:49
What iftars have you been to? I havent seen anything like this but I've only been to 3 at the marriot marina, ritz carlton jbr and antlantis.
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dxbinthecity
Posts 106
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18/07/2012 13:24:19
mushypeas wrote: Marroosh wrote: aline_jlt wrote: Marroosh wrote: dxbinthecity wrote:
I think the 'foodfests' at the hotels Iftars totally offputing. When I see mountains of food I actually lose my appetite especially knowing that 50% of it is going to end up wasted in the trash, I've seen entire serving dishes full of legs of lamb and heaps of freshly cooked rice outside in hotel bins.
I hope we are going to see more initiatives to reduce waste this year. Around 1850 tonnes of food ended in the trash every day in Dubai over last Ramadan. This is so out of keeping with the spirit of the month. It's awful and one of the reasons I refuse to go to hotels for Iftar. It goes against the purpose of Ramadan in every way possible. The least they can do is feed people, there are people lining up every day in front of masjids waiting for a meal. I like to break my fast at home, with my close friends, with 3 dates, some water and a cup of soup. Then after we pray we have our meal. But even then you can't eat to much because it is highly recommended you go for the taraweeh prayers which is not recommended when you're stuffed completely! soo true , but if you got invited to rest/hotel what you do,,, usually i eat date then water , pray then contn iftar . I only go if it is for a charity. At least then I know where the money goes. But overall I don't like these iftars, I am much more happy to be just with a few people at home rather than seeing people attack a buffet as soon as the adhan goes. Ive seen people rush to the buffets and pile up the plates before the adhan and then just sit with a plate full of food waiting
Yes, that's another aspect that puts me off too, I have been at hotel Iftars where I've seen people pick up the entire serving tray and take it for themselves alone leaving nothiing of that dish for anyone else.
Also been physically barged away from the table while trying to serve myself. The manners of some people really makes you wonder why they even do it.
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Hugsys
Posts 618
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18/07/2012 12:06:32
mushypeas wrote: Marroosh wrote: aline_jlt wrote: Marroosh wrote: dxbinthecity wrote:
I think the 'foodfests' at the hotels Iftars totally offputing. When I see mountains of food I actually lose my appetite especially knowing that 50% of it is going to end up wasted in the trash, I've seen entire serving dishes full of legs of lamb and heaps of freshly cooked rice outside in hotel bins.
I hope we are going to see more initiatives to reduce waste this year. Around 1850 tonnes of food ended in the trash every day in Dubai over last Ramadan. This is so out of keeping with the spirit of the month. It's awful and one of the reasons I refuse to go to hotels for Iftar. It goes against the purpose of Ramadan in every way possible. The least they can do is feed people, there are people lining up every day in front of masjids waiting for a meal. I like to break my fast at home, with my close friends, with 3 dates, some water and a cup of soup. Then after we pray we have our meal. But even then you can't eat to much because it is highly recommended you go for the taraweeh prayers which is not recommended when you're stuffed completely! soo true , but if you got invited to rest/hotel what you do,,, usually i eat date then water , pray then contn iftar . I only go if it is for a charity. At least then I know where the money goes. But overall I don't like these iftars, I am much more happy to be just with a few people at home rather than seeing people attack a buffet as soon as the adhan goes. Ive seen people rush to the buffets and pile up the plates before the adhan and then just sit with a plate full of food waiting
Haha me and dad used to do that at home when I was little. Mum was never impressed...
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The Dangerous Blonde
Posts 2141
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18/07/2012 12:05:53
Back in the UK recently I went to my local Chinese restaurant and they had a buffet going on. Not the typical lavish spread they throw here, but you could also order from the menu.
HOWEVER - if you left any food on your plate, they charged you for it!! Thought it was rather a novel concept and people might think twice here before piling heaps of food onto their plates (as if it's going to run out!!)
Do the hotels allow labourers or the poor to come and take the waste after iftars? Is it allowed? Might be a nice idea altho not sure whether it's OK due to food hygiene.
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mushypeas
Posts 2371
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18/07/2012 12:03:13
Marroosh wrote: aline_jlt wrote: Marroosh wrote: dxbinthecity wrote:
I think the 'foodfests' at the hotels Iftars totally offputing. When I see mountains of food I actually lose my appetite especially knowing that 50% of it is going to end up wasted in the trash, I've seen entire serving dishes full of legs of lamb and heaps of freshly cooked rice outside in hotel bins.
I hope we are going to see more initiatives to reduce waste this year. Around 1850 tonnes of food ended in the trash every day in Dubai over last Ramadan. This is so out of keeping with the spirit of the month. It's awful and one of the reasons I refuse to go to hotels for Iftar. It goes against the purpose of Ramadan in every way possible. The least they can do is feed people, there are people lining up every day in front of masjids waiting for a meal. I like to break my fast at home, with my close friends, with 3 dates, some water and a cup of soup. Then after we pray we have our meal. But even then you can't eat to much because it is highly recommended you go for the taraweeh prayers which is not recommended when you're stuffed completely! soo true , but if you got invited to rest/hotel what you do,,, usually i eat date then water , pray then contn iftar . I only go if it is for a charity. At least then I know where the money goes. But overall I don't like these iftars, I am much more happy to be just with a few people at home rather than seeing people attack a buffet as soon as the adhan goes.
Ive seen people rush to the buffets and pile up the plates before the adhan and then just sit with a plate full of food waiting
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amazingdxb
Posts 412
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18/07/2012 10:49:18
Good points ladies.
The problem is that I do not have the time to cook.
So where are the places to book a delicious buffet?
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Marroosh
Posts 2716
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18/07/2012 10:43:16
aline_jlt wrote: Marroosh wrote: dxbinthecity wrote:
I think the 'foodfests' at the hotels Iftars totally offputing. When I see mountains of food I actually lose my appetite especially knowing that 50% of it is going to end up wasted in the trash, I've seen entire serving dishes full of legs of lamb and heaps of freshly cooked rice outside in hotel bins.
I hope we are going to see more initiatives to reduce waste this year. Around 1850 tonnes of food ended in the trash every day in Dubai over last Ramadan. This is so out of keeping with the spirit of the month. It's awful and one of the reasons I refuse to go to hotels for Iftar. It goes against the purpose of Ramadan in every way possible. The least they can do is feed people, there are people lining up every day in front of masjids waiting for a meal. I like to break my fast at home, with my close friends, with 3 dates, some water and a cup of soup. Then after we pray we have our meal. But even then you can't eat to much because it is highly recommended you go for the taraweeh prayers which is not recommended when you're stuffed completely! soo true , but if you got invited to rest/hotel what you do,,, usually i eat date then water , pray then contn iftar .
I only go if it is for a charity. At least then I know where the money goes. But overall I don't like these iftars, I am much more happy to be just with a few people at home rather than seeing people attack a buffet as soon as the adhan goes.
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ishehere
Posts 1704
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18/07/2012 10:28:37
Marroosh wrote: dxbinthecity wrote:
I think the 'foodfests' at the hotels Iftars totally offputing. When I see mountains of food I actually lose my appetite especially knowing that 50% of it is going to end up wasted in the trash, I've seen entire serving dishes full of legs of lamb and heaps of freshly cooked rice outside in hotel bins.
I hope we are going to see more initiatives to reduce waste this year. Around 1850 tonnes of food ended in the trash every day in Dubai over last Ramadan. This is so out of keeping with the spirit of the month. It's awful and one of the reasons I refuse to go to hotels for Iftar. It goes against the purpose of Ramadan in every way possible. The least they can do is feed people, there are people lining up every day in front of masjids waiting for a meal. I like to break my fast at home, with my close friends, with 3 dates, some water and a cup of soup. Then after we pray we have our meal. But even then you can't eat to much because it is highly recommended you go for the taraweeh prayers which is not recommended when you're stuffed completely!
just makes you feel sick if you are stuffed........ 
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aline_jlt
Posts 900
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18/07/2012 10:27:01
Marroosh wrote: dxbinthecity wrote:
I think the 'foodfests' at the hotels Iftars totally offputing. When I see mountains of food I actually lose my appetite especially knowing that 50% of it is going to end up wasted in the trash, I've seen entire serving dishes full of legs of lamb and heaps of freshly cooked rice outside in hotel bins.
I hope we are going to see more initiatives to reduce waste this year. Around 1850 tonnes of food ended in the trash every day in Dubai over last Ramadan. This is so out of keeping with the spirit of the month. It's awful and one of the reasons I refuse to go to hotels for Iftar. It goes against the purpose of Ramadan in every way possible. The least they can do is feed people, there are people lining up every day in front of masjids waiting for a meal. I like to break my fast at home, with my close friends, with 3 dates, some water and a cup of soup. Then after we pray we have our meal. But even then you can't eat to much because it is highly recommended you go for the taraweeh prayers which is not recommended when you're stuffed completely!
soo true , but if you got invited to rest/hotel what you do,,, usually i eat date then water , pray then contn iftar .
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Marroosh
Posts 2716
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17/07/2012 19:45:49
dxbinthecity wrote:
I think the 'foodfests' at the hotels Iftars totally offputing. When I see mountains of food I actually lose my appetite especially knowing that 50% of it is going to end up wasted in the trash, I've seen entire serving dishes full of legs of lamb and heaps of freshly cooked rice outside in hotel bins.
I hope we are going to see more initiatives to reduce waste this year. Around 1850 tonnes of food ended in the trash every day in Dubai over last Ramadan. This is so out of keeping with the spirit of the month.
It's awful and one of the reasons I refuse to go to hotels for Iftar. It goes against the purpose of Ramadan in every way possible. The least they can do is feed people, there are people lining up every day in front of masjids waiting for a meal. I like to break my fast at home, with my close friends, with 3 dates, some water and a cup of soup. Then after we pray we have our meal. But even then you can't eat to much because it is highly recommended you go for the taraweeh prayers which is not recommended when you're stuffed completely!
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Monkey Face
Posts 922
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17/07/2012 19:34:56
dxbinthecity wrote:
I think the 'foodfests' at the hotels Iftars totally offputing. When I see mountains of food I actually lose my appetite especially knowing that 50% of it is going to end up wasted in the trash, I've seen entire serving dishes full of legs of lamb and heaps of freshly cooked rice outside in hotel bins.
I hope we are going to see more initiatives to reduce waste this year. Around 1850 tonnes of food ended in the trash every day in Dubai over last Ramadan. This is so out of keeping with the spirit of the month.
You're right. The spirit of Ramadan is completely lost in these over the top indulgent buffets. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) broke his fast with dates. There is absolutely no justification for AED100+ buffet iftars, most of which goes to waste.
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dxbinthecity
Posts 106
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17/07/2012 19:28:27
I think the 'foodfests' at the hotels Iftars totally offputing. When I see mountains of food I actually lose my appetite especially knowing that 50% of it is going to end up wasted in the trash, I've seen entire serving dishes full of legs of lamb and heaps of freshly cooked rice outside in hotel bins.
I hope we are going to see more initiatives to reduce waste this year. Around 1850 tonnes of food ended in the trash every day in Dubai over last Ramadan. This is so out of keeping with the spirit of the month.
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Apricot
Posts 1829
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17/07/2012 17:33:33
LuLee wrote:
My DH will not spend over 100 dirhams per person for Iftar. My DH will happily agree with your DH! Thanks for the suggestions Lulee.
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ishehere
Posts 1704
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17/07/2012 16:32:37
stovetop wrote:
I really like the one at Almaz by Momo in MOE. The lamb, in particular, is fabulous.
oooh - that is sooooooo good
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stovetop
Posts 1742
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17/07/2012 16:09:39
I really like the one at Almaz by Momo in MOE. The lamb, in particular, is fabulous.
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