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?

M&S do small sandwich platters, fruit kebabs and you should have tea / coffee / biscuits?

ITSU do large platters if you're close enough to deliveroo.
Lunch the other day worked out at jsut over £5 a head.

Yes I will be going to m&s, I think they're the only passble shop bought sandwiches in the area

It's only a petrol station one but they usually have a good selection.

@mum2jenny I would but dh is out tonight so I can't leave the house as dd is in bed.

I should have thought ahead earlier, I could have gone on my way home!
I can only think of what's right infront of me at the moment

If not too late, probably fine to have some nice coffee and biscuits with those timings!

Pot noodle each from B&Ms - sorted. Cup of tea and some teacakes. Easy.

"Thing is, most people (adults) eat lunch about 1/1.30 so if you are almost done the meeting it might be super annoying to stop everyone to get the lunch out! It will make the meeting DRAG on. Whereas, hiya coffee and biscuits/fruit, you can get the meeting out the way and people can go elsewhere for lunch"

Agree with this. Think 1.30 is the cut off - if the meeting was going until 2 I feel like you'd need to break for lunch. 1.30 as long as there fruit/biscuits and water/tea/coffee I think you're good

Some of the responses on this thread are butt clenchingly twee.

@Easipeelerie everyone's just trying to be nice and helpful, which I really appreciate

If it's only one person, could you do grilled cheese with your homemade soup? You could prepare it all beforehand and it would only take a couple of minutes in a frying pan.

Don’t not serve soup at a meeting!!!!
it’s so messy and awkward to eat

cake / biscuits
fruit bowl
crisps

wraps and sandwiches from M&S is perfect

I wouldnt eat any of that so it could be a huge waste of time and effort. I'd prefer the soup!

Depends where you work obviously. Lunchtime meetings are meetings at lunchtime or start and finish at lunchtime... Meetings that start at 10.30 and finish at 1.30 aren't lunchtime.

Solve the issue of meeting finishing at lunch time by having food out while you talk.

Who'd have ever thought soup could be so divisive 🤣
This has cheered one tired, uninspired, unorganised lady up. Thank you for all the suggestions!

No matter what time of day, I’ve had a meeting any longer two hours, there has always been some sort of food/refreshments available usually sandwich platters and fruit trays.

Great idea if you want your clients to think you’re a cheapskate who doesn’t value their custom.

Can you do a CooP Shop Go or Just Eat order?
Coop Shop Go arrives in no time and you can do it now for a delivery in the morning if you have one near.
Just Eat also always very good for me.
I would do a platter of Cheese, Bread, Pickles, Vegetables, Houmous and a Fruit Platter too ... and some Gluten Free Bread as someone will be GF!
Good luck!

This! Silly and wasteful to buy multiple options

You could also get sandwiches and things brought by tesco whoosh if they do that near you. It would save you an outing.

Same

Do you know anyone who could do a costco trip for you?
If so, a pack of their cookies or pastries, a sandwich platter and a fruit platter and some crisps and you're done. They even have paper plates.

Or if they're a friendly bunch domino's?

It’s for one person!

You’ll be fine with an M&S petrol station they all have solid ranges. Plus buying them on the day means they’re fresher so a bonus you’re going in the morning.