The advantage of a working lunch: the meeting goes on

With everyone busy, a working lunch can be a good alternative to get a meeting going while not taking away more time and we need to eat anyway!

Today, it is quite normal to "eat through" a presentation, a trade show or a working session. Working lunch has proven to be effective when the right preparations and communications are made.

Here are some general tips to make it right:

1) Choose the right food for the right occasion. For example, for a traditional group that values the elegance of a meal, prepare a seated lunch with the tables pre-set. Pre-setting tables serves two functions: to serve the meal immediately when the time is right and to limit the number of interruptions by servers. However, during a trade show, you should consider food that are easy to eat such as maraconi salads, sandwiches, wraps or a brownie for dessert.
2) Preset courses. Usually, seated lunch has three courses. When the food is pre-plated and served, there is no need for anyone to move anyway compared to a buffet service. Consider a cold appetizer and the dessert preset.
3) Consult the caterer about which are the best choices according to the agenda and the activities of your meeting. For example, avoid soups as they get cold fast. Choose desserts that hold well such as cakes and tarts and avoid ice cream and sorbets.
4) When the lunch is formal, have two servers for three tables. This will ensure good service and quick serving and clearing of the plates.
5) A buffet provides a more informal setting and interaction among those present. Service staff required for a buffet is less, but ensure that there are servers to serve drinks and change the food trays. It is ideal for lunches at trade shows