To not offer lunch?

[amidsummernightsdream]

I'm self employed in a consulting type role. I usually hold meetings at clients' offices.
Tomorrow, due to logistics, im holding a 3 hour meeting at my house, starting at 10.30.
(However could potentially run a little longer)

Would I be unressonable to not offer lunch?
I feel like I would be but I've left it last min and I cant think what!

If I did, it would need minimal to no prep and something that we could eat while working.

Can I get away with just tea and cake?

If you don’t want to provide lunch at least get in some croissants, pastries etc and biscuits to go with tea and coffee.

This should keep people full until they leave and requires no cooking or fuss.

People will need lunch. You can arrange a lunch break, order in, or provide food.

if you provide food, you need to ask about allergies in advance. It’s amazing how easy it is for every single item provided to contain an allergen.

Thanks everyone!

I am planning to make a homemade soup to tonight but I don't know, that just didnt feel right for a meeting.

Sandwiches and crisps seem to be the consensus.
I can drive to m&s in the morning although timings will be tight.

I knew I was being tight/ lazy, I promise im not usually but i'm just exhausted right now and looking for short cuts!

I'm going against the grain here and wouldn't expect lunch and wouldn't eat it if offered. Too complicated around dietary requirements and allergies too

Id probably bring my own sandwich and eat it others did.

I would accept coffee and biscuits.

In the past I’ve done a big Greek salad, humus, tapenade and onion and garlic dips, pittas in the toaster and sliced, falafel, breadsticks, posh snacks, cake bites. Possibly cheaper than shop bought sandwiches?

You really need to provide some lunch if your organised a meeting over lunch time

That must have been expensive.

The "right" food depends on the people and situation, but when I had a lunchtime work meeting at my house I bought a loaf of nice bread, butter, smoked salmon, cheese, tomatoes and cucumber (sliced both of the latter) and people made their own sandwiches. I also supplied tea and biscuits on arrival.

Every shop and cafe offer pre-made trays, catering for every whim. Not that dear. Saves a lot of faffing around. That and limitless tea and coffee could pass as 'lunch'. And a tin of biscuits.

Subway do platters and are available any time of day for delivery.

You definitely need to provide lunch if you are holding a meeting over lunchtime, which you are.

Coffee and biscuits will be fine. We only offer lunch if it's a lunchtime meeting (eg 12-2) or a whole day meeting.

Do not serve soup at a business meeting...

A sandwich platter and some buns are more appropriate with tea and coffee options.

Do a Tesco Whoosh order! Easier than going out if time is short.

I think you're right to pop out and grab sandwiches etc. They may not suit everyone but it's a nice gesture. Also it will create a short break which I think is a good idea in a 3h plus meeting.

Subway platters delivered are your friend

Definitely need to provide something if you haven’t already given notice to bring their own lunch.

We'd not get lunch for a 1.30pm finish. Might do if 2pm.

I'd just get lots of pastries/brioche/cookies fruit/ juice/coffee.

It is a lunchtime meeting. 10.30 to 1.30 or longer.

I don't think you need to provide lunch - the meeting will finish around 1330? Perfect time for people to go and get their lunch. I wouldn't expect someone coming to provide consulting services in a professional office to lug lunch with them?

I agree you need to provide lunch but also agree that you should not serve soup. I would give that a hard pass.

Yes I would just buy some packets of sandwiches and cut them into smaller triangles and put on large plates/platters with some nice crisps like Tyrells.

I’d probably bring my own lunch if you haven’t mentioned it by now. People need to plan.

I think soup might be a bit tricky to eat while working. You want to eat it fairly quickly before it goes cold but to eat some you need to have it right in front of you to avoid spilling! Sandwiches are easier to multi task - you can still have a laptop in front of you and take the odd bite.

It doesn’t need to be a fancy platter from M&S though! A local bakery or even the meal deal sandwiches from a local supermarket (cut them in half again so they’re little triangles and pop on a plate) would be fine - no one will know!

How many people? Probably makes a difference to the answers people give.