When it comes to catering corporate lunches, it’s easy to fall into a rut. You don’t want to get too repetitive or choose boring, unappealing meals, but there are only so many options — right?
Not so fast.
You might be surprised by how easy it is to “wow” your team when you start to think outside the box. These 10 catering ideas will breathe new life into your company’s midday breaks.
10 unique food options for catering corporate lunch
Sandwiches and salads might be reliable choices for catering a business lunch, but if you want to keep your team excited and satisfied, you’ll need to get more creative. These unique corporate catering ideas are fun, simple to serve, and easy to eat, making them ideal for an office setting.
1. Sliders and skewers
Sliders and skewers create a bite-sized lunch experience that’s ideal for munching during long meetings. Combining a variety of foods makes it easy to mix and match flavors and appeal to a range of palates and food preferences. Create your lunchtime spread by offering different types of mini burgers (like beef, turkey, and veggie), skewers of grilled meats and vegetables, and a variety of flavorful sauces.
2. Mediterranean mezze platter
Mediterranean catering is a light, healthy option that’ll keep workers energized through the midday slump. A mezze platter typically includes hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, falafel, olives, and pita bread. For a more filling lunch, add roasted vegetables, pickled mushrooms, feta and mozzarella cheese, and cured meats, such as Prosciutto and salami.
3. Taco bar
It doesn’t have to be Tuesday to enjoy tacos in the workplace. A taco bar allows everyone to create a meal they’ll love, making it a crowd-pleaser any day of the week. To please different palates, be sure to order a variety of proteins (like chicken, beef, and tofu), toppings (such as lettuce, cheese, salsa, and guacamole), and both hard and soft taco shells.
4. Italian pasta buffet
An Italian pasta buffet is a comforting and hearty lunch choice. Offer a selection of pasta types (like penne, spaghetti, and fusilli), sauces (such as marinara, alfredo, and pesto), and toppings (like grilled chicken, veggies, and cheese). Add a large salad and fresh garlic bread for a well-rounded meal.
5. Greek gyro platter
Take a break from the usual lunch options with the bold, delicious flavors of a Greek gyro platter. This Mediterranean-inspired spread typically includes warm, soft pita bread, tender slices of seasoned gyro meat (traditionally lamb or beef, but chicken is also popular), tangy tzatziki sauce, and fresh toppings like tomatoes, onions, and crisp lettuce.
6. Indian curry buffet
Add some spice to your lunch routine with an Indian curry buffet. Offering culturally diverse meals benefits everyone — and it’s the perfect way to introduce your team to new flavors. This lunchtime spread can include a variety of popular Indian dishes such as tikka masala, saag paneer, and chana masala, served along with rice and naan bread.
7. Build-your-own burrito bar
A build-your-own burrito bar is a fun, filling option that allows for almost unlimited customization. This spread typically includes warm tortillas, a choice of proteins (like seasoned ground beef, grilled chicken, or black beans), rice, and a variety of toppings such as shredded cheese, lettuce, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.
8. Mac and cheese station
Mac and cheese is a nostalgic, comforting lunch that brings a touch of home into the office. Offer classic mac and cheese as a base, or add other options like garlic, white cheddar, or buffalo chicken for a flavorful twist. Toppings like crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, and roasted vegetables can also add an elevated touch.
9. Asian rice bowl bar
Asian rice bowls can accommodate virtually every preference, making them an excellent option when catering corporate lunches. Order a selection of proteins (like grilled chicken, tofu, or shrimp), vegetables, and toppings (such as pickled radishes, scallions, and sesame seeds), then allow your team to create their own bowls over a bed of steamed rice. For the health-conscious crowd, consider offering brown rice and spring mix as alternatives to white rice. Remember to ask for plenty of flavorful sauces like soy sauce, sweet chili, and teriyaki.
10. Sushi platter
A sushi platter is a sophisticated and health-conscious option that can impress clients or just give your team a special treat. Sushi platters are versatile, offering something for everyone. Include classic favorites like spicy tuna and eel rolls for sushi enthusiasts, avocado and cucumber rolls for vegetarians, and even cooked options like crab or chicken tempura rolls for those who prefer not to eat raw fish.
Tips for serving a catered corporate lunch
Impressing your team with exciting lunch choices is an important first step, but when you’re catering business lunch, the work doesn’t stop there. Making sure every lunch is a smooth, enjoyable experience requires thoughtful planning and precise execution. Here are a few expert tips to make you look like a catering pro:
- Arrange food logically: Put food in logical order. For example, place tortillas at the beginning of a burrito bar and toppings at the end.
- Label everything: Clearly label each dish, including ingredients and allergens, to help each person make informed decisions.
- Avoid cross-contamination: Make sure each dish has its own serving utensils so potential allergens don’t move from one dish to another. Also, please allergen-free foods in a separate location to avoid cross-contamination.
Simplify your corporate catering with ezCater
These creative lunch ideas will help keep your catering menus fresh and interesting, leaving your team excited to see what you’ll come up with next. If you’re catering corporate lunches more than a couple times a month, consider making things even easier on yourself by partnering with ezCater.
When you set up a corporate account, you’ll have access to tools designed to simplify and streamline your catering efforts — from a custom dashboard where you can see and control your food spend to Concierge Ordering Solutions that allow you to hand off the ordering to the ezCater pros. Explore our corporate catering solutions to see for yourself how simple catering can be with a team of experts by your side.
