How Companies Can Use Catered Lunches to Boost Team Engagement

Corporate catering ideas from local NJ Rising Kitchens chefs

I remember when I worked in a big office — some of the best days were the ones with catered lunches. After the meeting ended, the leftovers would be placed on the filing cabinets, and word (or maybe just the delicious smell) would spread through the floor. People would slowly start drifting out of their cubicles — some making a beeline straight for the food, others “happening” to pass by on their way to the printer.

You’d think we were all starving. But we weren’t starving for food — we were starving for connection, for something unexpected in the middle of our workday. It just happened to come in the form of food.

Today, at Rising Kitchens, we partner with incredible local chefs who help companies bring that same sense of connection and delight to their teams. Corporate catering doesn’t have to be boring or from the same vendor each time. Imagine:

• A vibrant, healthy Mediterranean- or Caribbean-inspired lunch from The Culinary Curate

• Savory handmade samosas from Petite Ile

• Sweet indulgences from Red Wolfe Patisserie or a gourmet cereal treats from Cereal Dreams

• Interactive team experiences like private chef tastings with Swaadbynitin or an on-site charcuterie cart from Cartisan

Whatever you choose, bringing locally catered food into the workplace does more than fill stomachs — it builds culture. It gives your team something to talk about, something to enjoy together, and a shared experience that says, “We value you.”

Next time you’re planning a team lunch, meeting, or celebration, bring the unexpected — and let Rising Kitchens help you do it.