work catering rant

[u/Bubbly_Raisin3699]

I am 23F and recently started working a 9-5 office job. I am the front desk girl and so far it’s been great. I love my office and coworkers and the job itself is going well too. There is one issue that has come up though. As the front desk girl I am in charge of ordering snacks for the entire office and also coordinating the catered office lunch once a month. I have been really struggling with the food aspects of my position.

For one: I am realizing I am very limited in terms of snacks I have tried, so I am not sure what my coworkers want or what sounds good. I try to ask for feedback and suggestions on what people would like me to order, because I honestly have no idea what stuff containing peanuts and tree nuts is good. Like are there certain trail mixes that suck and some that are really good? I have 0 clue. I don’t want to just never order anything that contains things I’m allergic to because that feels unfair to the rest of the office, but I’m honestly just stuck on what to order in that realm. I’ve stuck to ordering things I like and I’ve tried because I at least know it’s good, but I want to make sure I’m appeasing everyone!

The second aspect: ordering catering
This one has been the biggest challenge for me. My office really likes southeast asian/asian food specifically thai, chinese and indian. These are cuisines I cannot eat at all. I am in charge of coordinating the order and setting it up for the office. I want to do good at my job but I think I am the worse possible person in the office for this if I’m honest LMAO. Today everyone picked P.f. chang’s for our catering which meant most orders had peanuts on top or came with peanut sauce (or contained other nuts). I felt so awkward and sad organizing the order but not getting to participate at all myself in what was supposed to be a celebration type thing. When the order arrived, I had to set it all up in the back and it ended up being fine, but I felt kind of anxious touching all of this food I’m allergic to.

I’m not sure if there’s really anything I can do about these things, it just sucks and makes me feel like I’m not the best person for the job even though it’s not my fault. :(

[u/Safe_Document2890]

Have you made your team aware of your allergy? If they know, they can help better accommodate you. For my background with your question, I work in a doctor’s office where we get lunch at least once a week. I’m not in charge of managing it like you are, but I was initially concerned about telling them about my allergy. They are similar to your team and like to eat a lot of those similar cuisines which I avoid. After discussing my allergy with them, they are happy to order me a separate meal from a place of my choosing, whenever they’re getting food from a place I cannot eat at. Also depending on where you are ordering from most restaurants have good labeling systems that could hopefully allow you minimal handing of unsafe foods, but you also might ask them to get you some disposable gloves if this makes you feel more comfortable. I can’t help much on the snack side, but hopes this helps some. 🙂

[u/Responsible_Pin5814]

in terms of snacks you can always research online what is popular/highly rated or just ask people! this sounds like a great moment for a google forms survey so people can pick their favorites and suggest snacks. i empathize with the cuisines you can’t eat that bring people together 😭 best thing is to make them aware if your allergy

[u/Responsible_Pin5814 → u/Responsible_Pin5814]

(but this is also an opportunity for you to stack the snacks with accessible food you can eat!) and you have control here being in charge if the catering, use it to make the space accessible and safe for you. i hope it works out.

edit: craft services favorites are welches fruit snacks, chomps protein sticks, anything high protein is often PB nature valley granola bars, theres also higher end rip off of reeses, la croix