buffet

LOVE a buffet but fancy something a little more luxury? Well, we’ve found the spot perfect for that with the world’s biggest buffet just a few hours from the UK.

Les Grands Buffets in the south of France is so in demand that it often has a seven-month waiting list.

The luxury buffet dates back to 1989 and welcomes 400,000 brave diners each year.

That’s around 600 people each day, for lunch and dinner.

Whilst not exactly your budget buffet, it isn’t too outrageously priced either at €65.90 (£57.38) per person.

The inside of the restaurant is so vast that visitors are handed a map upon entering – there are four dining rooms in total.

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One of the rooms – called Salon Dore Jean de la Fontaine – was created by the same people who restored the Palace of Versailles, so as you can imagine, is pretty extravagant.

In fact, around 18,000 gold leaves have been added to the finishings in the room.

Another – the Tente d’Apparat Jean-Baptiste Nolin – is a tented room that pays tribute to Louis XIV.

If you’re a glutton for punishment, you can even weigh yourself before and after to see how much food you have consumed.

All of the food served at the buffet is inspired by 19th century chef Auguste Escoffier, who is often considered one of the masters of traditional French cuisine.

In total, there are 150 entrees, main courses and desserts at the buffet.

One section of the restaurant is a seafood buffet, with dishes including a royal seafood platter, fish soup and smoked salmon.

Bottomless lobster is also available.

At the foie gras buffet, guests can help themselves to a range of different duck foie gras, including ones with pepper or creme brulee.

Then there is also a pâté en croûte buffet and a cooked meat and terrine buffet.

For main dishes, guests can enjoy a range of options such as veal, snails,a roasted leg of lamb, scallops, quail stuffed with foie gras, suckling pig on a spit, omelettes, salmon, beef fillet, beef stew, onion soup, squid, wild boar stew, gratin dauphinoise… The list goes on.

Les Grands Buffets is home to the largest cheese selection in the world, in a restaurant with over 100 varieties of cheese.

When it comes to sweet treats there is a cake section, with a towering chocolate fountain.

Classic desserts make an appearance as well, such as creme caramel and black forest gateau with candied cherries.

Flamed desserts are available too, like crepes, rum bananas and baked Alaska.

Or opt for some classic ice cream or sorbet.

The restaurant has over 32,000 reviews on Google, equalling an average rating of 4.5 stars.

One recent visitor said: “You don’t come here just for the food.

“It’s about the whole experience which is totally ridiculous and fun.

“While it wasn’t the best buffet food I’ve ever had, the showmanship and atmosphere really do make up for it.”

Another added: “It is a feast for once in a lifetime.”

The restaurant is located in Narbonne, a town in south France on the Canal de la Robine.

If visiting, the town has some other lovely spots to explore such as the Gothic Cathédrale Saint-Just et Saint-Pasteur, which started construction back in the 13th century but was never finished.

For some history, head to the Archbishop’s Palace which is home to a number of archaeological and art museums.

And if it is sunny, you can explore Plage de Narbonne beach which has golden sand and clear waters.

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In other buffet news, these are the little-known way hotels are trying to make you eat less at the breakfast buffet.

Plus, 10 tips to enjoy your holiday buffet without gaining extra pounds – from plate size to eating that dessert.

Cruise holidays are a popular choice for many Brits, with the buffet being a key attraction. However, there are some rules that guests are expected to follow in the dining area

One of the first destinations that holidaymakers dash towards when boarding a cruise ship is undoubtedly the buffet.

The cruise buffet, or indeed any buffet, proves irresistibly attractive for two key reasons – the freedom to fill your own plate without being confined by a fixed menu, plus the obvious draw of unlimited dining for a set cost.

The appeal of these elements can frequently result in poor judgment regarding what conduct is and isn’t suitable in a communal environment.

Panache Cruises founder James Cole insisted: “When you booked your cruise you promised to adhere to a set of rules governing your conduct and behaviour when on-board your ship.”, reports the Express.

Speaking about the repercussions of engaging in ‘disapproved’ behaviour, he continued: “Disruptive passengers can be charged a fine or forcibly removed from the ship if they disobey the captain’s and crew members’ instructions, smoke in prohibited areas or throw things overboard.”

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The queue can prove either the most relaxed or the most heated location in the restaurant.

Adhering to some fundamental etiquette rules and seeking crew assistance can prove invaluable in securing what you desire, and promptly.

Avoid pressing too close to fellow diners in the line, honour others’ personal boundaries, and ensure those surrounding you have adequate room. James explained: “Although you may be hungry and eager to head to the buffet, remember that your fellow passengers are likely feeling the same way, and your wants and needs don’t supersede theirs.

“Be patient and wait for your turn and if you really can’t wait to tuck into your food then make sure to have a snack in-between meal times.”

Another buffet blunder is nibbling whilst still queuing up. Hold off until you’re seated and avoid eating while standing in line.

The cruise specialist observed: “Don’t worry about dishes at the buffet and get a new plate, glass or mug every time you wish to top up on your food or drinks.

“You may think you’re doing them a favour by reducing the number of dirty dishes, but it’s actually frowned upon due to sanitary purposes.”

A Reddit user, JusteUnAutreGars, commented: “If you’re having dessert after your main course, you would want another plate. It’s all about not mixing up the flavours and spices of your food.”

Visitors are generally permitted to collect fresh crockery from one of the stations, plus return to the buffet as frequently as they wish.

Another Reddit contributor, frannyGin, remarked: “Use designated tongs and spoons only to transport food to your plate and don’t ever put tong A for dish A in dish B. That’s what causes cross contamination and makes it unnecessarily difficult for people with allergies.”

WHEN Michelle Dell booked a summer holiday to Gran Canaria, she expected two weeks of fun in the sun.

But just days after arriving, the Sheffield mum fell gravely ill – and before long, she knew she was dying.

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The terrifying ordeal left an even deeper scar on her daughter Lizzie, then 11, who developed a devastating phobia that ruled her life for the next 12 years.

Michelle tells The Sun: “I feel lucky every day of my life to still be here but, also, I have felt terrible guilt for what happened to Lizzie – wondering if we could have done anything differently.

“It took me four years to recover and I now have lots of long-term health problems.

“None of that matters though, because I’m still here.” 

The family’s nightmare began in the summer of 2012 after jetting to Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands with friends.

The group upgraded to a new four-star hotel in the popular seaside resort Playa del Ingles after two nights, because the first one they had booked was disappointing. 

Michelle, along with husband Wayne, 52, and daughters Lizzie and Rosie, then 10, were in an apartment, with six other pals on the trip located next door.

On the third night of the holiday, the group went for a buffet dinner in the hotel’s restaurant. 

Michelle says: “As all-inclusives go, this one felt good quality and the choice of food was good.

“I’m a bit of a clean freak and it seemed very clean.

“I and five others in the group went for the Spanish omelette, which tasted perfectly good.” 

The group headed out for a few rosés, gin and tonics and Spanish lagers at a nearby bar.

But the next day, things took a dramatic turn.

Michelle says: “In the morning, I went onto my balcony and our friends next door said one of the group had been up all night sick with a bug.

“We had a bit of a giggle and made light of it because we thought it was very minor but as I was talking, I thought, ‘Oh goodness, I need the toilet.’”

Michelle suffered sudden diarrhoea, but assumed it was a minor travel bug.

Within hours, four others were sick. Michelle was getting worse with every passing minute.

It was like the worst horror film I’d ever seen. There was blood all over the floor, sick everywhere and she was screaming in agony

LizzieDaughter

She says: “I was doubled over in agony. I’m not really one to make a fuss but it was absolutely the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life.

“It was as though somebody’s hands were inside my tummy twisting it and the pain wouldn’t stop.”

The hotel doctor was called and tried multiple times to put a cannula in her arm to get fluids in, but Michelle was too poorly and couldn’t be rehydrated. 

Michelle says: “By this time I felt like I’d been drugged and was drifting in and out of consciousness.”

Wayne and Michelle had tried to shield the girls from the events unfolding by asking them to stay in their beds – which were separated from their bed by a small partition wall.

But for Lizzie, hearing her mum’s screams was distressing.

Lizzie says: “When I did see her it was like the worst horror film I’d ever seen. 

“There was blood all over the floor from the cannula being taken in and out. 

“There was sick everywhere because mum was vomiting so much. She was screaming in agony.”

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Taken to a local hospital in Maspalomas, she was given fluids and sent back to the hotel hours later – still with no diagnosis.

The next day, on day five of the holiday, she collapsed again and was rushed to a larger hospital.

Doctors soon discovered she had contracted an extreme case of salmonella – a bacterial infection linked to food poisoning.

Michelle says: “My body was swollen and huge with the fluids. My eyelids couldn’t even open properly.

“I remember phoning my mum in England from my bed and saying, ‘I think I’m going to die.’

“There was something telling my brain: ‘It doesn’t matter what you do now, your body’s taken over.’ I thought my internal organs were shutting down.”

As the rest of the group began to recover, Wayne stayed with the kids, trying to keep things as normal as possible. 

In despair, Michelle called him.

She says: “I told him, ‘You need to come back to the hospital because something’s happening. I’m falling really ill again’.

“He was having pizza with the girls, but I insisted, ‘You need to come now. This is really serious’.

“The staff kept saying, ‘You are fine’. I’m not a melodramatic person but when he came in, I sobbed.

“I told him, ‘I am not fine. I’m going to die. You need to tell them to get me a doctor now to do more tests. Please make them understand I’m just not a hysterical woman. I am ill’.”

The worrying rise in salmonella cases

By Isabel Shaw, Health Reporter

SALMONELLA cases are at a record high in Britain – and there are some key signs you can look out for.

In the most recent outbreak, over 100 people were sickened and 14 rushed to hospital after eating tomatoes.

Health officials urged Brits to be on high alert for the symptoms of salmonella infection, which can last anywhere from four to seven days.

Cases hit a record decade high in 2024, soaring by almost a fifth in a single year to over 10,000 cases, UKHSA data shows.

Separate statistics reveal cases in the first quarter of 2025 were even higher than 2024, with some 1,588 cases logged between January and March 2025, up on the 1,541 reported over the same period in 2024.

By comparison, there were 1,328 reports between January and March 2023.  

Children under 10 were particularly affected, accounting for 21.5 per cent of cases. 

Salmonella, which lives in the guts of animals and humans and spreads through contaminated poo, can cause a sudden bout of fever, vomiting, explosive diarrhoea, stomach pains and headaches, often striking within hours of eating tainted food.

The bacteria, which often taints food if grown in dirty water or handled with grubby hands, attacks the gut lining, damaging cells and stopping the body from soaking up water.

This is what leads to the painful cramps and non-stop diarrhoea as the body flushes out the water it couldn’t absorb.

Most people recover without treatment, but in rare cases it can turn deadly.

Around one in 50 sufferers go on to develop a serious blood infection, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk of complications.

Thankfully, deaths remain rare in the UK, with fatal cases making up just 0.2 per cent of reports.

Wayne fought Michelle’s corner and doctors agreed to retest her.

They found she had sepsis, a deadly immune reaction to an infection that needs to be treated rapidly.

One of the key symptoms of sepsis is someone saying they feel like they are dying, according to the UK Sepsis Trust, as well as a high temperature, chills, a rapid heart rate, a rash that doesn’t fade when pressed and breathlessness.

The body overreacts to the infection and starts attacking itself, damaging its own tissues and organs.

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Michelle began to stabilise after her treatment was changed, with a new antibiotic.

Later, doctors told her they believed it was the hotel’s Spanish omelette that caused her illness, due to the timings of events.

Friends also told Michelle that other guests, like the five in her party, had eaten the omelettes and got sick too.

Michelle’s daughters flew home with the rest of the group after the fortnight holiday ended and went to stay with their grandparents, while Wayne stayed at Michelle’s bedside.

She gradually started to feel better, and flew home a week later, but has been left with after-effects, as 40 per cent of survivors are.

She lives with chronic fatigue (also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, or ME), non-epileptic seizures, chronic migraines and functional neurological disorder  – a problem with how the brain receives and sends information to the rest of the body.

‘I’d give myself black eyes’

It wasn’t just her life that was changed though. Daughter Lizzie, who was traumatised by her mum’s brush with death, was also deeply affected. 

Lizzie says: “I’d seen my mum so ill in the hotel, and then we’d seen her in hospital looking grey and almost dead.

“The second I got home, the first thing that I got in my head was, ‘OK, so I’m not going to eat.’ In my head, it was a case of, ‘If you eat, you could die’.”

From a healthy 11-year-old, Lizzie grew anxious and gaunt, surviving only on bread sticks, cereal and packaged snacks.

In 2017, five years after the holiday, 16-year-old Lizzie suffered a full-blown panic attack on a train after seeing someone being sick.

She says: “I’d never had one properly like that so when I got home I Googled my symptoms and that’s the first time I read about emetophobia – a fear of vomiting. That was me.”

It spiralled into constant anxiety and self-harm, as Lizzie tried to focus on anything but the fear.

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“There were days when I had seven or eight panic attacks and wherever I was – on a plane or on a train – I’d start screaming,” she says.

“Looking back, the panic attacks were just this need to create another feeling other than sickness, so I’d create pain. 

“I’d even give myself black eyes from hitting myself.”

Though talented Lizzie had won a place at drama school in Manchester, she lived alone and didn’t socialise.

She says: “I didn’t do anything for 12 years. I went to drama school in Manchester but lived on my own because I didn’t want to be around others. 

“I didn’t go to parties. I didn’t drink.”

In 2023, Lizzie took a dream job as a Christmas elf in Lapland – but was sent home months later after her weight plummeted from nine stone to just five stone two pounds.

I cherish every day. I’ve gone from seeing my daughter’s life slipping away to seeing her embracing it

Michelle DellMum

She says: “Being abroad, I was just unable to eat anything cooked by others, so I’d be eating breakfast bars from the local shop and not a lot else.

“It got even worse when my flatmate out there got sick.

“I didn’t tell anyone about my worries with food but I was sent home from the job. 

“Not long after that I lost my acting agent because I just wasn’t well enough to get parts.

“It’s really sad because I wanted to live, but I’d completely lost all joy in life. 

“I was sick of looking at myself in the mirror covered in bruises.”

Michelle, who works as a college lecturer with inclusion students, was desperate to help her daughter. 

They saw private and NHS specialists, as well as multiple therapists. 

What is emetophobia and how can you overcome it?

By Nik and Eva Speakman

Emetophobia is an intense fear of vomiting. It is a debilitating and often misunderstood phobia. 

It can manifest in a range of obsessive-compulsive behaviours, such as excessive sanitisation, extreme food restrictions, eating disorders, health anxiety, and avoidance of travel, medical environments, and even children. 

Social withdrawal is common, with many sufferers limiting contact with others for fear of illness, vomit and vomit-causing bugs. 

While it is especially prevalent among women, emetophobia remains under-recognised within the medical community, despite being the most common phobia seen in our clinic. 

It’s estimated that up to 5.5million people in the UK may be affected, yet provision of effective treatment is still limited.

Emetophobia is not innate. It typically stems from a distressing childhood experience, such as a traumatic incident at school or mirroring an anxious parent’s behaviour. 

The key to recovery lies in positively reframing these formative experiences with an experienced therapist.

Using a simple self-help exercise can really help. Create two columns – Fears vs Facts – to challenge distorted beliefs with logic and evidence.

She says: “We were in despair because my husband and I felt like we had exhausted every option. 

“Then I saw there was an emetophobia class with The Speakmans in February 2025 in Manchester and I just booked it instantly.

“I held out no hope but I was just happy Lizzie was willing to go.”

Life change experts Nik and Eva Speakman are known for helping thousands overcome phobias. 

Lizzie says: “I went into their workshop and by the time I left they’d literally changed my life.

“I shared my story, very nervously on stage. They completely changed the way I had thought about things.

“They told me: ‘Being sick didn’t nearly kill your mum, it was the egg. Being sick had actually helped save her.’ 

“Twenty-five minutes into speaking to them, I felt completely different.

“Two weeks later, I couldn’t believe it. I got norovirus.

“I’d spent 12 years trying to avoid being sick and now I had it, full on.

“But I was absolutely fine. I was sick all night, non-stop, no issue, no panic attacks.”

Today, Lizzie is thriving – eating normally, running a performing arts school and planning a holiday to Greece.

She says: “I still have some of the thoughts but they don’t stop me from eating three meals a day, piling the food on. I just don’t worry about being sick anymore.

“I used to think I wouldn’t be here for much longer.  Now, it’s like I am living properly because I haven’t for so long’.”

Michelle remains full of gratitude having nearly lost her life and watching her daughter turn her life around.

“I cherish every day,” she says. “I’ve gone from seeing my daughter’s life slipping away to seeing her embracing it. I will forever be grateful to The Speakmans.”

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For more real-life examples, practical tips, and expert support, tune in to The Speakmans’ Hope Clinic podcast, where emetophobia – and other common issues – are treated live.

To learn more about The Speakmans’ Emetophobia Masterclasses, email: [email protected].

Whilst all-inclusive holidays are a popular option for many, there are certain risks travellers need to be aware of before jetting off, and one expert has shared some top tips

A travel expert has issued a stark warning that while all-inclusive getaways might appear tempting, they can pose certain dangers.

Before flying out to your resort, it’s crucial to understand potential threats, particularly when it comes to food and drinks.

Grant Winter, a compliance officer at travel insurance company Good To Go, warns that food in certain destinations may harbour illnesses such as cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis A.

More frequently, though, holidaymakers could be struck down by a. nasty bout of sickness and diarrhoea from food or beverages contaminated with bacteria the body is not used to.

To help guarantee tourists can enjoy their getaway without being stuck in their rooms, Winter has the following dos and don’ts…

Water

He highlights the significance of water safety, recommending travellers choose bottled water as the most dependable option when overseas, even if internet sources suggest local tap water is safe.

He insists: “Ensure the lid of the bottle is well sealed before you drink it. If you can’t get access to bottled water for whatever reason, only drink tap water that has been boiled, use chlorine tablets or iodine to sterilise the water.

“Always be sure to avoid prolonged exposure to iodine though – this method isn’t best when doing it more than once or twice.”

Buffet dangers

Grant cautions against eating cooked food that’s been left out for too long. He recommends hitting the all-inclusive buffet early to avoid food that’s been exposed to the elements for a prolonged period.

He further advises: “It’s also better to avoid food that has flies buzzing around it, and only eat raw fruit and vegetables that you have peeled yourself to reduce the risk of contamination.”

Steer clear of ice

While water should be approached with caution, ice presents another problem, as Grant explains. “Don’t forget about the risk of ice cubes in your drinks. In many cases, these are probably made from untreated tap water (however, some large resorts do use bottled water, so it’s always worth checking), which can cause you to get sick.”

Be aware of food poisoning risks

Grant emphasises that you “should always check to see if the food is piping hot throughout before eating, but when abroad you should be extra vigilant of this.

“For example, eating tropical fish that haven’t been cooked properly can lead to ciguatera fish poisoning, and unpasteurised dairy such as ice cream from a street vendor, could harbour salmonella, E.coli, listeria, or campylobacter, leading to food poisoning.”

Don’t forget personal hygiene

The expert emphasised that, although it may seem self-evident, this should be your “number one priority abroad to help avoid food poisoning and contamination. Always wash your hands after the toilet and before eating or preparing food, and make sure you take an alcohol-based hand gel to use when you’re out and about before eating any food.”

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