Office Catering for Teams

Types of Office Events We Cater

Office catering adapts to the full spectrum of workplace gatherings. Understanding different event types helps you choose the right menu format and service level for each occasion.

Team Meetings & Working Lunches

The most common office catering need: feeding people during work. Working lunches require food that's easy to eat while engaged in discussion, doesn't create distracting messes, and arrives on time so meetings can proceed as scheduled. Boxed lunches, grain bowls, and sandwich platters excel in these settings.

For regular team meetings, consider establishing a rotating cuisine schedule. This keeps meals interesting for teams who meet weekly or bi-weekly, while still allowing you to streamline the ordering process with familiar vendors.

All-Hands & Company Meetings

Larger company gatherings require scalable solutions. Buffet-style setups work well for groups of 30+, allowing efficient service while offering variety. For very large all-hands meetings, consider multiple serving stations to prevent bottlenecks and keep the event flowing smoothly.

Training Sessions & Workshops

Full-day training events need sustained energy. Plan for substantial morning refreshments, a hearty lunch that won't cause afternoon drowsiness, and lighter afternoon snacks. Protein-rich options and minimal heavy carbs help maintain focus throughout the day.

Team Celebrations & Milestones

Birthdays, project completions, and team achievements deserve celebration. These events call for more festive options—think dessert spreads, themed cuisine, or elevated menus that feel special. The food should match the celebratory mood.

Recurring Lunch Programs

Many companies provide regular catered lunches as an employee benefit. These programs require consistent quality, diverse menu rotation, and reliable logistics. The best recurring programs balance variety with operational simplicity, often rotating through a curated list of preferred vendors.

Informal Gatherings & Happy Hours

Not every office event needs to be strictly business. Friday afternoon gatherings, casual team bonding, and end-of-week celebrations benefit from appetizer-style catering, shareable platters, and beverage service that encourages mingling.

Office Catering Menu Options

The right menu format depends on your event type, workspace layout, and team preferences. Here's what works best for office settings.

Boxed Lunches

The gold standard for working lunches. Each person receives a complete, individually packaged meal—no sharing required. Boxed lunches work perfectly when people need to eat at their desks, timing is tight, or you want to minimize food handling. Options range from classic sandwiches to sophisticated grain bowls and composed salads.

• Ideal for: meetings where eating happens alongside work
• Typical price: $12–$18 per person
• Pro: Easy dietary labeling, no portion guessing
• Con: Less variety per person than buffet options

Buffet Spreads

Buffets offer variety and encourage team interaction during meals. They work well for larger groups and events where the meal itself is part of the social experience. Choose buffets for team lunches, celebrations, and events where people have time to gather and eat together.

• Ideal for: groups of 15+, celebrations, team bonding
• Typical price: $15–$25 per person
• Pro: More variety, encourages socializing
• Con: Requires serving space and designated meal time

Build-Your-Own Bars

Taco bars, grain bowl stations, and customizable salad spreads let everyone create their perfect meal. These interactive setups accommodate diverse dietary needs automatically—guests simply choose what works for them. Build-your-own options work well for teams with varied preferences.

Breakfast & Morning Meetings

Early meetings deserve more than a box of donuts. Quality breakfast catering includes hot options like breakfast burritos or sandwiches, along with fresh fruit, pastries, and excellent coffee. For longer morning sessions, include protein-rich options that sustain energy.

Snacks & Refreshments

Afternoon meetings, extended training sessions, and all-day events benefit from snack service. Think beyond chips—consider seasonal fruit, gourmet popcorn, energy bites, and cheese boards. These lighter offerings keep energy up without overstuffing attendees.

Popular Cuisines for Office Settings

Some cuisines translate particularly well to office catering:

• Mexican: Versatile, affordable, easy to customize for dietary needs
• Mediterranean: Fresh, healthy perception, excellent vegetarian options
• Asian: Variety from Thai to Japanese, good for grain bowl formats
• Italian: Crowd-pleasing pasta and salad combinations
• American BBQ: Hearty, satisfying for bigger appetites
• Indian: Flavorful options with natural vegetarian variety

Office Catering Ordering Tips

Smart ordering makes office catering seamless. These strategies help you avoid common pitfalls and consistently deliver great meal experiences for your team.

Know Your Headcount (and Build in Buffer)

Nothing derails an office lunch faster than running out of food. Order for your expected count plus 10-15% buffer. For recurring events, track attendance patterns—some meetings consistently see 80% turnout, others near 100%. Adjust your ordering accordingly.

Collect Dietary Information Proactively

Don't wait until the day before to ask about dietary restrictions. Maintain a team dietary profile or send a quick survey when you start organizing. Common needs include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and various allergies. Providing clear labels helps everyone find appropriate options.

Time Your Delivery Right

Schedule delivery 15-30 minutes before your planned meal time. This allows for setup and any last-minute adjustments without cutting into your meeting. For hot food, minimize the gap between arrival and eating to ensure quality.

Designate a Point Person

Someone needs to meet the caterer, direct setup, and troubleshoot any issues. Don't assume this will happen automatically. Assign a specific person—often an office manager or admin—to handle catering logistics for each event.

Build Vendor Relationships

Ordering from the same few trusted caterers simplifies logistics and often improves service. Vendors who know your preferences, dietary needs, and office layout can anticipate issues and deliver more consistently. Consider rotating among 3-5 preferred vendors for variety.

Gather Feedback

A quick post-meal survey or informal check-in helps you refine future orders. Track which caterers and cuisines get the best reception. Over time, this data helps you make decisions that consistently satisfy your team.

Office Catering Pricing

Understanding office catering costs helps you budget effectively and get the best value for your team.

Typical Price Ranges

Budgeting Tips

• Order in volume: Larger orders often qualify for per-person discounts or waived delivery fees.
• Choose lunch over dinner: Lunch menus typically cost less than dinner equivalents from the same caterer.
• Consider pickup: If someone can collect the order, you'll save on delivery fees—often $20-$50.
• Plan ahead: Rush orders may incur fees. Standard lead time keeps costs predictable.
• Establish recurring relationships: Regular clients sometimes negotiate preferred pricing with trusted vendors.

Additional Costs to Consider

• Delivery fees: typically $15-$40 depending on distance
• Service charges: 15-20% on some orders
• Setup fees: for buffet arrangements requiring presentation
• Disposables: plates, napkins, utensils (often included, sometimes extra)
• Gratuity: for delivery drivers (typically $5-$15)

How to Order Office Catering

Ordering office catering through Soyum simplifies the entire process. Our platform connects you with local caterers experienced in corporate dining, offering transparent pricing and reliable service.