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Food Feeds My Soul

Writer's picture: kristakimbakristakimba

Article by Krista@MaxCurious Productions


"First we eat, then we do everything else." - M.F.K. Fisher


When it comes to feeding a film crew and simultaneously making your clients happy, the importance of food goes far beyond sustenance. It’s about providing energy, ensuring satisfaction, boosts morale and keeping everyone—the crew, clients and actors…content and gratified. In the fast-paced world of film production, where tight schedules, yet long hours and “unpredictable” are the norm, the meals served on set can make all the difference. 





Catering for a film crew requires careful thought and planning, not only to ensure that the nutritional needs of the team are met but to create an experience that appeals to a wide variety of dietary preferences and restrictions. From gluten-free and vegan options to accommodating nut allergies and specific cultural preferences, offering a range of choices is key. But beyond just meeting the basic needs, it’s essential to serve food that tastes great and brings joy—after all, happy team members are productive team members.


My first and foremost point here is that there has been an over arching shift and concern about providing more healthy options. This has been a steady trend over the past 10 years in this direction. But it does not mean you give up the afternoon snack tray where the occasional chocolate chip cookie is going to be neglected. Those end-of-day snack trays is great to make sure you crew also doesn’t go home starving!


First thing, in pre production, is to find everyone that will be on set or location and get dietary restriction information EARLY.  Some people might wait till the day before the shoot to tell you they have celiacs disease and cannot touch a piece of gluten. So…I feel awkward when someone gets to the set and they have a dietary restriction which restricts me from feeling satisfied. Like I said..this job “feeds my soul.” So finding a good caterer that will be at your “beck and call” if you need ANY last minute thing is the best scenario.  However, you must also research local businesses before hand and find out who provides gluten free or vegan options…and have those phone numbers on hand. Contact them before a shoot and ask good questions like “are you open those days? Or “What options can be made fairly quickly in case you come across an issue?”



Working with a local caterer is usually my first go to. Larger crews require a larger service catering company. However, for on location in small towns or suburb areas…using UberEats can work for a small crew of 5 and under AND can be a real great convenience if all five people have very different dietary needs. 


UberEats has a dashboard where you can give a crew member ability to order for themselves, at a specific restaurant and based on a spending limit that you apply, then you share a link so they can easily add their menu choices to the order. It takes a bit of setting up and fingers being crossed in case you pre order late night….the actual night before a shoot. I do think crew do love this option because there is no mystery about what they will be eating. 



However, on UberEats – finding local establishments, doing a lot of custom settings, generating links can be a waste of precious time and a risk ordering from a business that doesn’t pick up the phone for questions after dark. In this situation, ordering breakfast the night before is risky for your morning first meal because communication may be lacking to a business that doesn’t open till 7am and the food needs to get there by 8am. What if it’s a holiday and UberEats did not update you that the business you ordered from at 9pm, the night before a shoot was NOT opened the following day…because of a holiday or other closing issue….but you are expecting an order at 8am?


Online updating of business closing times and menu items are still not a trusted source of information. Menus online are filled with a lot of outdated information…a crew member may not get their choices causing delays and unhappy hungry crew. I consider UberEats good for a small shoot with a lot of local alternative resources around that can help you in a pinch in lieu of finding a larger catering company.


When ending a day…sometimes there is so many leftovers of very good quality food and it’s very sad to me to throw it in the garbage. There are some charities that will accept it. Sometimes the studio you are using has staff that will keep it in their fridge for tomorrow. Some crew and talent love taking the leftovers home. It’s good idea to bring a box of large freezer bag ziplocks and plastic closing containers and some paper bags with handles so it’s easier for people to take as the leave. Liquids are a problem. My favorite caterer EATERY CAFE KITCHEN provides these really cool white reusable shopping bags with their logo on it and sealable containers to go. Their bags are strong and reusable. I like how they are thinking!


In closing this article…basically its THIS…your crew is up early and on time to work hard for your production…is it too much to ask to have and egg-n-cheese on roll with a hot coffee at 7am?  Depends on WHERE you are and your AVAILABLE resources! But remember YOU have to make it happen.


Here are my favorite catering places I’ve used.


NYC Midtown - SUNAC Fancy Foods (The best paninis EVER) Very friendly and they are always willing to help you throughout the day. 


NYC Lower Manhattan - FEAST ON US - https://www.feastonus.com/


NY TRI STATE AREA - CHEFS on FIRE  (Large Production Craft Service) -www.chefsonfireinc.com


NJ - EATERY CAFE KITCHEN -http://www.eaterycafekitchen.com/ - Yes! Yes…and YES! - Ask for Merve


CA San Diego - California’s Best www.californiasbestcatering.com  


MA Woburn - CRISTO'S KITCHEN

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