Why Empanadas Beat Traditional Office Catering: A Team Satisfaction Guide

You plan. You approve the spend. You picture a smooth meeting with food that keeps everyone happy. Then the trays arrive lukewarm, half the room quietly opts out, and someone is still hungry twenty minutes later. The food did its job on paper, but not in real life.

Empanadas are handheld, easy to pass, and still hit even if the meeting runs long. More importantly, they actually make people excited to eat. 

In this blog, we’ll walk through what teams really want from office food, where traditional catering goes wrong, and why empanadas from Empanada Mama have quietly become one of the easiest wins for NYC offices.

What “Team Satisfaction” Actually Means at Work

People want food that still tastes good even if it sits for a bit. They want options that work for different diets without having to announce personal food rules to the room. And they want a setup that doesn’t interrupt the meeting or pull focus away from why everyone’s there in the first place.

There’s also the unspoken goal every office organizer has: less waste, fewer side conversations about the food, and at least one genuine “this is good” reaction. Good catering disappears into the meeting. Bad catering becomes the meeting.

The Big Problem With Traditional Office Catering

Traditional office catering struggles because it isn’t designed for real office conditions.

Sandwiches go soggy. Wraps dry out. Salads sit untouched because no one’s sure what’s in them. Hot trays arrive at one temperature and stay there, even when that temperature is ‘sad.’ Add vague labels, and suddenly people with dietary restrictions are stressed instead of fed.

In New York, there’s even more working against you: delivery delays, lobby confusion, elevators, and security desks. By the time the food reaches the conference room, it’s already lost momentum. What was supposed to feel generous ends up feeling tired.

Why Empanadas Win in Real Office Conditions

Empanadas are built for movement, which makes them perfect for offices.

They’re handheld, which means no forks, no balancing plates, no awkward juggling during meetings. They travel well and still taste good even if they sit for a bit, so timing matters less. Setup is simple. One table, one spread, done.

They also solve the variety problem without effort. Instead of committing everyone to one dish, empanadas let people choose. Meat, chicken, veggie, cheese, mild, spicy. Someone can try two flavors without overloading their plate, which instantly makes the meal feel more generous.

There’s also a vibe shift that happens when empanadas hit the table. They don’t feel like corporate lunch. They feel like a real food break. That alone changes the energy in the room.

The Office Empanada Formula That Always Works

Start with four buckets: one crowd-pleasing meat option, one chicken option, one veggie option, and one wildcard flavor that adds interest. That mix covers most preferences without overwhelming anyone.

Quick Rule: if you’re unsure, lean heavier on chicken and veg. Those disappear first.

For portions, two to three empanadas per person works well for light lunches or meetings. For packed lunches or longer sessions, plan on four to five per person.

Adding a side or two stretches the order and makes the spread feel complete. Rice and beans, plantains, or chips with sauces add volume without driving up cost, and they pair naturally with empanadas.

How to Order for Different Office Moments

For a team meeting lunch, keep things clean and reliable. A balanced empanada mix, a couple of sauces, and minimal mess let the food support the meeting rather than distract from it.

For client visits or pitch days, empanadas shine in a different way. Choosing a few standout flavors and labeling them clearly feels intentional without being flashy. Adding a dessert empanada is a low-effort way to make it feel thoughtful.

Office parties and holiday potlucks call for abundance. More variety, more sides, more sauce options. This is where empanadas feel like a spread rather than a tray drop.

And for late-afternoon “thank you” moments, a smaller order works beautifully. Two empanadas per person and something sweet at the end feels like a reward without slowing the rest of the day down.

Labeling and Setup So People Actually Enjoy the Food

A simple rule helps here: no one should have to ask what something is.

Clear labels that separate meat, chicken, and vegetarian options remove friction immediately. Sauce labels that indicate mild, medium, or hot help people build their plates confidently.

Set it up like a flow: Empanadas → sides → sauces → napkins. 

Keep sauces slightly separate so things don’t turn chaotic mid-service. Over-prepare napkins. It sounds small, but it’s the detail everyone appreciates.

The Budget Angle: Where Empanadas Save You Money

Empanadas tend to reduce waste because people take what they’ll actually eat. There’s less guessing and fewer untouched trays at the end of the meeting.

They’re also easy to scale. You can add a dozen more without reworking the entire order, and sides stretch the meal without making it feel cheap.

In NYC especially, pickup can save on delivery fees and timing stress, making empanadas a smart option for last-minute meetings or schedule shifts.

Common Office Catering Mistakes to Avoid

Under-ordering is the most common mistake. People will eat more than you expect. Forgetting the vegetarian ratio is another. Veg options disappear fast, even from people who swear they ‘only wanted meat.’

Sauces matter more than you think, and food placed too far from the meeting room often goes untouched. Timing also matters. Food that arrives too early or too late loses impact fast.

Why Empanada Mama Fits Office Catering in NYC

Empanada Mama understands how New York offices actually work. The food travels well, holds up, and fits meetings, parties, and last-minute saves equally well.

When you want catering that handles logistics, variety, and satisfaction without stress, empanadas do the heavy lifting. Empanada Mama just makes it easier.

Upgrade The Next Team Lunch

Empanadas solve the real office catering problems: logistics, variety, satisfaction, and waste.

Use a simple formula. Label clearly. Add sides thoughtfully. And make office food feel like an actual win. When you’re ready to make your work easier (and actually good), Empanada Mama catering is the move.