When most people think of workplace catering, they usually only envision the lunchtime options. Maybe a couple of different hot food stations, a jacket potato or salad bar, some decent grab and go choices, a homemade soup or two, and hopefully some tempting homemade desserts. But this doesn’t have to be where your onsite hospitality begins and ends. Your catering team can play a pivotal role in helping you to enhance workplace culture, boost employee morale and foster collaboration.
Recent research by the Harvard Review and the Food Institute indicated that priorities are changing.
People are drifting more and more to a hybrid work style preference, valuing the social collaboration, networking and skill building. The office is less used, and when it is, it needs to serve a different purpose.
- Workplace Catering and Food: Shared dining experiences or even just free snacks are seen as a way to foster social bonds and improve team cohesion, especially among Millennials and Gen Z. Shared meals help break down communication barriers and promote a stronger culture of collaboration. Many companies find that providing food options boosts productivity and employee satisfaction, which is a high priority for Millennials and Gen Z, who value work environments that feel inclusive and supportive of wellbeing.
- Coffee and Social Spaces: Coffee stations and casual meeting areas are increasingly common in workplaces aiming to create a more informal and comfortable setting. Gen Z and Millennials, in particular, appreciate these spaces as they allow for spontaneous collaboration and relaxation, supporting a positive work environment. Coffee culture, which appeals to nearly all generations, can be an informal way to bring people together and reduce workplace stress.
- Team Events and Celebrations: Across generations, social events are recognized as valuable for building workplace morale and a sense of belonging. Team-building activities are important for Millennials and Gen Z as they emphasize meaningful social interactions at work. Baby Boomers and Gen X, while perhaps less inclined to prioritize frequent social events, still appreciate celebrations that recognize accomplishments, fostering loyalty and a sense of pride in the organization.
Food-centred initiatives like team lunches, cooking workshops, and seasonal menus help strengthen company culture in ways that traditional benefits do not. Overall, incorporating food, coffee, and social events into the workplace can be an effective strategy for engaging employees across generational lines. These benefits align with the broader priorities of fostering a supportive and connected workplace environment.
Coffee is a great starting point, with a good coffee offer being able to resonate with so many of the new generations’ values. A workplace coffee offer now is expected to be Speciality or Fairtrade at the least, organic, sustainable, locally roasted and made by a skilled barista. It should have plant based alternative milks, iced coffees and cold brews and have social media credentials to reinforce its brand.
Using the workplace more flexibly is what it’s all about. Pop up events, such as Halloween, summer BBQ days or even World Chocolate Day (yes, there really is such a day) are great ways to inject something a little novel into the working week. Unique dining experiences encourage participation and engagement. How about a themed day? A Spanish day of gazpacho, paella and tapas with a churro station, complete with a selection of dipping sauces. Or a gourmet hot dog day with a selection of bratwurst, frankfurter or vegan sausages, with brioche, regular, or pretzel rolls accompanied with a whole host of toppings and sauces. Themed menus and décor can be a fabulous ice breaker and encourage an element of fun and interest. There’s even scope for customers to participate, maybe a prize for ugliest Christmas jumper or chance to vote in a culinary challenge?
Cooking masterclasses too, are an effective and enjoyable way for colleagues to come together. Bonding over new skills and delicious food whilst building a sense of community, creativity and collaboration. They are also perfect for encouraging networking within a business. Creating an informal atmosphere where employees can connect and work together outside of their typical roles gives people from different departments the opportunity to interact, fostering connections that might not occur in the usual work setting.
At Bespoke Food Group, we provide our clients with a varied and interesting selection of lunch options, such as incorporating seasonal or unusual ingredients, exploring global cuisine and working with some fabulous suppliers that are really making a difference when it comes to sustainability. We also love to mix things up from time to time. Pop-ups and themed days deliver innovative, exciting, and memorable experiences, and are a great way to actively create a more inclusive environment where employees feel valued. We can even offer masterclasses with our chef director Mark and executive chef Stuart in everything from how to make a delicious selection of dim sum to creating handmade truffles for Valentine’s Day. These fun and informal classes are perfect for team building and a fabulous way for people to come together.
By integrating interesting and engaging catering formats, companies can create a vibrant workplace culture. Employee satisfaction and mental wellbeing are significantly increased when people feel valued, engaged and appreciated. Creating memorable experiences that contribute to a more rewarding and inclusive work environment is a great way to exceed employee expectations and boost creativity and encourages teamwork. Investing in these experiences is not just about feeding employees it’s about nourishing their sense of belonging and engagement in the workplace.
