What is appropriate for catering in lunch for a business meeting?
A business meeting can often extend through the lunch hour. When you are required to cater in a business lunch, some common sense should be used in selecting the restaurant. Select somewhere that offers some variety in meal choices, just because you may love chicken (or whatever it is you prefer) does not mean the rest of the group has the same feelings toward that food. Also, a place that offers a vegetarian meal is always a good idea.
Make sure enough food and beverages are ordered so everyone will have plenty to eat. There is nothing worse than sitting in an eight hour meeting with your stomach growling because you only had one slice of pizza for lunch. This can actually be counterproductive to the meeting.
The class of restaurant will depend on the budget available but a good meal can still be served for a rather small price per person. A good deli can provide excellent sack lunches. If the restaurant has a dollar (or value) menu, you should probably look somewhere else. I personally love grabbing a couple of burritos from Taco Bell, but I would not consider them as a place to cater in lunch.
A little thought into where to cater in the lunch can have a very positive side effect on the meeting. If everyone is full from a great meal, they will be in a better mood and make the meeting go a touch better than if they are still thinking about what a cheapskate you are over the lunch you just provided.
