AIBU to ask what you would like at a working lunch?

[Rushhomeroad]

I have offered to bring the food for an all day meeting - so a lunch eaten whilst we carry on working (office environment). There are only four of us, so not worth catering (and the catering is usually fairly dire!). Nearest supermarket is a Tesco Extra. Paid for on expenses, so cost not an issue. What would you want in this situation?

@notacooldad 😂 omg I love this, you win!

Pizzas! Some vegetarian and some meat.

The M&S platters seem to be popular with people who are tasked with buying these things but not so popular with the people who have to eat them. I don’t like them at all.

@middleager

Vegetarian No mayo Not laden with calories (Not really available at Tesco!)

For me: Not vegetarian Lots of mayo Lots of calories 😝

I think for 4 people I'd order in from Justeat, Deliveroo etc...

I’d want to bring my own. Don’t eat bread, cheese, mayo, pizza, KFC (or other fast food). I’d want good quality sushi (not supermarket, but from somewhere like Itsu) or as said, to bring my own salad / soup.

Selection of sandwiches - some meat, some veggie, some plain.
A quiche/sausage roll/cheese and onion roll?
Salady bits
Crisps
Teas/coffees/water
Some kind of biscuits and sweet things for after would be a bonus.

M&s sandwhich platter. Biscuits for the breaks. Fruit. Most importantly make sure you have a break to eat it in.

I honestly think you're overthinking this op. Get a sandwich platter from M&S, crisps and a fruit platter plus a tub of mini brownies or similar.

This is a completely standard working lunch IMO - fuels everyone and offends no one. Minimal mess, fuss and expense.

The ‘platter’ type lunches are good as the sandwiches are cut in quarters and the rolls are mini.

M&S, Waitrose, Pret would all be good.

Oh god, not sandwiches! Impossible to eat in public and generally disgusting unless made fresh.

A decent salad with protein.

This is a completely standard working lunch IMO I agree keep it standard and everyone will know what to expect. If you wanted to get a nice little extra those instant coffee latte sachets etc are good to make a change from the usual cheapo instant.

Costco do a nice sandwich or wrap platter. They also have bowls of salad which would be big enough for sharing.

@lechatnoir

I honestly think you're overthinking this op. Get a sandwich platter from M&S, crisps and a fruit platter plus a tub of mini brownies or similar.

This is a completely standard working lunch IMO - fuels everyone and offends no one. Minimal mess, fuss and expense.

Nope, not good for everyone. Would make me bloated, sleepy and, ultimately, hungry as I’d have to leave the sandwiches, crisps and brownies.

Nope, not good for everyone. Would make me bloated, sleepy and, ultimately, hungry as I’d have to leave the sandwiches, crisps and brownies. OP has asked and they've all said they are fine with whatever. So I think the standard lunch would be sandwiches or wraps.

@PragmaticWench

Oh god, not sandwiches! Impossible to eat in public and generally disgusting unless made fresh.

A decent salad with protein.

How are sandwiches impossible to eat in public?!

Some people can't eat salad without becoming seriously ill due to health conditions. It's not some perfect solution.

Nice baguettes, real butter, ham and cheese, egg Mayo etc to make own sandwiches, fancy crisps, nice cakes, juices, sausage rolls.

In contrast to many on here I'd be disappointed by a terribly healthy spread

Oh and I'd be perfectly happy with a sandwich platter. Love sandwiches. I'd far rather that than salad - I need and enjoy carbs.

I'd just take my own packed lunch and stop working for 10mins to eat it. Not sure why if there's only 4 of you there needs to be a "catering" element.

@CloseThePackWithAClickClack

Nice baguettes, real butter, ham and cheese, egg Mayo etc to make own sandwiches, fancy crisps, nice cakes, juices, sausage rolls.

I have never had to make my own sandwhich at a working lunch. Might as well make my own at home and bring them in.

Nope, not good for everyone. Would make me bloated, sleepy and, ultimately, hungry as I’d have to leave the sandwiches, crisps and brownies
OP, the problem you now have is you've opened it up to mn where everyone has an issue with something and it just muddies the waters with what to do as the above example demonstrates.

You know, I guess what your colleagues normally eat, if not just keep it simple as they've said they are happy to go with the flow.

The Chippendales !!

Wouldn't need to worry about feeling 'tired' or 'sleepy' with them there !

Wine.

This thread is very confusing, why can't people just take their usual break and eat what they normally do. I work in an office and occasionally work through lunch. I just have what I normally bring and eat it at my desk. You are making this much more convoluted than it needs to be.
If you really need to supply the food just get a sandwich platter, some crisps and fruit and maybe some bottled water. You have said that everyone eats everything so it shouldn't be difficult.
We have client meetings all the time and this is the standard fare.

Get a sandwich/wrap platter delivered from subway or somewhere. Fruit, crisps and something sweet like muffins. That's all you need. I'd only say if you're getting crisps, steer clear or really noisy ones like kettle chips. The amount of times I've been in a lunchtime meeting and too scared to eat crisps because I'm worried about the noise!!!