Food for Work Meetings That Keeps Teams Focused and Engaged

When it comes to choosing food for work meetings, not all cuisine is created equal. There’s a time and place for certain kinds of grub. For instance, grab-and-go options are ideal for quick, laidback internal meetings, while individual gourmet meals are often better for longer meetings with important clients. 

So, how do you choose? 

If you’re on the hook for brainstorming meeting catering ideas at your office, begin by learning the answers to these important questions: 

• What is the best food for work meetings? The best food for work meetings is the kind that aligns with the time of day, the formality of the meeting, and the preferences of the attendees. 
• What works for different meeting times? Heavier meals are perfect for meetings scheduled around the breakfast and lunch hours, while light snacks are better suited for afternoon events. 
• How much food should I order for a meeting? You’ll need at least one individually wrapped meal for each person or one pound of food for every three to four attendees. 
• What are safe crowd-pleasing options? Choose customizable foods (think: pizza and sandwiches) that will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters and those with dietary restrictions. 
• What is appropriate catering for a business meeting? There are all kinds of meals that are appropriate for a business meeting. If it’s a morning meeting, serve breakfast items, like breakfast sandwiches or assorted pastries, but if it’s a mid-day meeting, consider lunch items like salads, tacos, or even a hot buffet. 

Now, if this all sounds daunting, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. 

We’ve rounded up our top tips for choosing the best food for work meetings that will help ensure your clients and employees are full, focused, and ready to get down to business.  

How to Choose the Right Food for Work Meetings

Whether you’re planning an important client presentation or hosting a weekly team standup, consider some of these factors when brainstorming the best work meeting food ideas:

• Length of meeting: Is it a quick 30-minute sync or a four-hour all-hands meeting? The longer the meeting, the more food you’ll need. 
• Time of day: Does the meeting fall during a regular meal slot or is it scheduled later in the afternoon? Peak meal times often require heavier food, while off-peak times are ideal for light bites. 
• Formal versus casual: Are you catering an executive meeting with gourmet provisions or a laid-back workshop with casual fare? The formality of the meeting should match the style of food you serve. 
• Client-facing versus internal: Are you treating your employees or looking to impress your clients? Feeding your clients may mean fancier spreads and more gourmet options.
• Budget considerations: How many people are you feeding? And are you offering buffet-style options or individually packaged meals? These factors will impact the price you pay. 
• Dietary needs: Does anyone attending have food allergies or dietary restrictions? Understanding food limitations helps keep everyone happy and safe. 

Breakfast Food for Work Meetings

There’s a reason breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day. After all, breakfast helps set you up for success by providing the fuel you need to tackle whatever comes your way. Are you kicking off the workday with an early morning meeting? 

Consider some of these breakfast meeting catering ideas for your team: 

• Bagels and spreads
• Breakfast sandwiches
• Breakfast burritos
• Hot breakfast buffet with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and hashbrowns
• Assorted pastries, muffins, scones, and croissants 
• Doughnuts
• Smoothie bar
• Mini quiches
• Yogurt parfaits
• Fruit trays
• Build-your-own pancake or waffle bar
• Coffee, tea, and fresh juice

Quick recommendation box: For a low-effort breakfast setup, stock up on coffee and assorted pastries for a no-fuss meal that everyone will enjoy. 

Lunch Options for Work Meetings

If you’re scheduling a meeting around midday or one that will run through the lunch hour, it’s pertinent that you serve food to help keep the hunger at bay. 

Check out some of these office lunch ideas for inspiration:

• Sandwich or wrap platters
• Bento boxes
• Individually boxed lunches
• Mezze bar
• Salad bar
• Sushi platter
• Gourmet pizza spread
• Taco bar 
• Barbecue spread 
• Salad bar
• Hot buffet-style catering
• Build your own bowls

Quick recommendation: Want to impress your important clients? Order a selection of high-end, gourmet sandwiches for a quick, convenient, and most importantly, delicious lunch. 

Snacks and Light Bites for Short Meetings

If you’re hosting a quick meeting or looking to ward off that afternoon slump, explore some of these munchies for a pick-me-up that will see your employees through to COB.

• Protein bars
• Trail mix
• Nut mixes
• Charcuterie board 
• Popcorn bar
• Chips and dips
• Hummus and crackers 
• Fruit platter
• Veggie cups
• Yogurt bowls
• Mini sandwiches
• Beef jerky 
• Assorted cookies and brownies

Food for Large Meetings and All Hands Events

Large-scale gatherings may require a little more forethought than smaller gatherings because you must accommodate more guests and navigate different preferences. 

First and foremost, you’ll need to determine how many people will be in attendance. It’s okay if you don’t have an exact headcount, but it will help to know if you’re catering to a handful of clients or 100+ employees, as that will make a big difference in the amount of food you order. 

Next, decide whether you’d like to go with buffet-style catering or the individually-packaged meal route. Buffet-style is great for offering variety, letting people pick and choose what they want. This setup is also generally more social, but it can take time away from your meeting as people build their plates. On the other hand, individually-packaged meals tend to be quicker and more convenient, but they allow for fewer options for those with dietary restrictions or picky palates. 

Once that’s sorted, you can start narrowing down which office meeting food would best suit the group. Remember, with more people come more dietary restrictions and specific preferences, so sometimes it’s best to go with a crowd-pleaser, like pizza, tacos, or assorted sandwiches, which allow for variety and customization. 

Not sure where to order from? Check out our online restaurant delivery service. 

How Much Food to Order for a Work Meeting

The amount of food you order will depend on several factors, including the number of people attending and whether you choose individual meals or a buffet. 

If you go the individual-meal route, just make sure you have enough to feed each person, and then add a few more for those who might want seconds. For example, if you’re ordering sandwiches for 25 people, round up to 30 sandwiches to ensure everyone is satisfied. 

Now, if you decide on a buffet, you may need to grab a calculator. Consider these tips to help get the portions right: 

• Order one pound of an entree for every three to four people
• Estimate 6-8 oz of protein per person 
• Assume each person will eat 4 oz. in sides 

Using this math, at a quick glance, you would need to order roughly 2.5 to three pounds of food for 25 people and around 18 to 25 pounds of food to comfortably feed 75 people. 

Remember, you certainly don’t want to skimp on food, but you also don’t want to order so much that the leftovers will go to waste. 

Dietary Restrictions and Inclusive Planning

Even if you order the most sought-after gourmet cuisine in town, it won’t do you any good if no one can eat it due to their dietary restrictions. 

Let’s face it; some of our stomachs can’t deal with loads of cheese like they used to (hello, lactose intolerance!), while others follow religious guidelines that prevent us from eating certain kinds of food. 

Whatever the case, it’s a good idea to inquire about dietary restrictions in advance or select food items that are inclusive to a wide range of diets. You’ll also want to label the foods and highlight any sensitive ingredients, like wheat or nuts, to ensure there are no surprises. 

Consider the following diet preferences and limitations:

• Vegetarian and vegan
• Gluten-free
• Dairy-free
• Nut allergies
• Fish and shellfish allergies 
• Halal and Kosher religious dietary laws

Simplify Work Meeting Catering with Scheduled Delivery
Treating your employees and clients to a hearty meal or tasty snacks is one small gesture that shows your appreciation in a big way. If you’re looking to break bread with your team for an upcoming meeting, allow Waiter to help.

With meals-on-demand, recurring scheduling, and custom options, we provide everything you need for your next board meeting, workshop, client presentation, or team session. You host the meeting; we’ll bring the grub. 

Whether you’re arranging a one-off meal or establishing a workplace meal program, contact us to get fed today!