Scottish workers want to eat well and relax
Scottish workers want healthier food and they want to eat it in fun, relaxing environments, according to the latest research conducted for contract catering firm Azure.
The Glasgow company commissioned a study of 1,000 workers from a wide cross-section of environments in October. Only 4% said they wouldn't change anything about their staff restaurant.
Their top complaint was food - 32% wanted that to change - followed by nearly 20% of respondents wanting a change in furniture or canteen staff.
Common staff restaurant grumbles were about poor-quality food - such as horrible pies, cold potatoes, oily risotto, spaghetti Bolognese full of gristle and fat, and stale sandwiches.
Topping the poll for favourite lunchtime food was soup, closely followed by salads, then baked potatoes and sandwiches, all accompanied by fresh coffee. Last on many people's lunchtime list was curry, prawn sandwiches, macaroni cheese and filled rolls.
A move to healthier lunchtimes might come as a surprise in Scotland, where recent research has shown an increase in diet-related illnesses. Gillian Kynoch, Scottish Executive food and health co-ordinator, was pleased there was a positive move towards healthier food.
"Quick convenience food still prevails in many canteens and it is often not very healthy. It is encouraging to hear people starting to vote for healthy options," she said.
Caroline Black, managing director of Azure, which has contracts across the UK worth £14m in annual turnover, said she was surprised there was such a positive response to healthy food. "The research highlights a more discerning market - people are moving away from stodgy food at lunchtime and want quality, flavour, texture and freshness."
She added that Azure would be concentrating on some of the findings. "We will be emphasizing healthy food and promoting freshness."
The environment where staff take lunch matters too, according to the research. While most would choose to share their lunch with David Beckham or Kylie Minogue, Black said the surroundings were important as well. "We have to ensure the decor is relaxing - having music helps as well."
