This standard is the simple pass or fail test for a Full English breakfast. To qualify for the name a breakfast must include at least one item from each of the five pillars listed below. If any pillar is missing the meal is considered a partial or reduced breakfast rather than a traditional Full English breakfast.

The five pillars that must be served together on a single plate are:

• The Cured Meat Pillar (British Back Bacon)
• The Ground Meat Pillar (British Pork Sausage)
• The Egg Pillar (Fried or Poached with a Liquid Yolk)
• The Pudding Pillar (Black, White, or Hog’s Pudding)
• The Fried Starch Pillar (Bubble and Squeak or Fried Bread)

This standard is about the combination of items on the plate. A plate that has all five pillars is a Full English breakfast even if the portions are small. However a massive plate of food that misses the pudding pillar or the starch pillar does not qualify for the name. You cannot swap a pillar for an extra portion of beans or tomatoes.

The goal is to protect the traditional balance of the meal. By following these pillars we ensure that the Full English remains a complete and recognisable dish that respects its historical roots, and remains faithful to the underlying tradition.