A mother has defended her controversial holiday habit of using hotel breakfast buffets to prepare lunch for her family, insisting she will never stop despite online backlash. Nicola Lewis, who writes for Metro, says she has been quietly making rolls and packing snacks from the breakfast spread for years, a tradition she learned from her parents.
The Breakfast Buffet Lunch Hack
Lewis explains that while she is not a big breakfast eater at home, holidays change the rules. After her morning meal, she grabs another plate to prepare rolls with cheese, ham, salad, and fruit for later. She says this saves her family a small fortune on lunches and reduces food waste.
“This isn’t stealing – I’ve already paid for the food, and rather than letting it go to waste, I’m making it work harder for us,” she writes. She emphasizes being discreet, using reusable containers, and never taking more than her family can eat.
Online Backlash and Support
When Lewis shared her routine online, the response was intense. Thousands applauded the idea as clever and thrifty, with many sharing their own holiday hacks. However, some accused her of stealing or claimed it drives up hotel breakfast prices. Lewis dismisses the criticism, saying, “Unless you’re clearing out the buffet trays or being greedy, there’s no harm done.”
She recalls memorable buffets in Corfu, Sardinia, and Portugal, where she enjoyed local specialties like feta, prosciutto, and pastel de nata. For her, the routine is about making holidays more affordable and enjoyable, especially during a cost-of-living crisis.
Lewis concludes, “It’s not about being stingy, it’s about making the most of what’s in front of you.”
