Working away from Home

Undervalued

TBagpuss said:

Sandtree said:

Pubs and restaurants would be serving the same kind of thing as takeaways (and indeed many are now doing takeaway, or at least down here they are).

He could take a mini-microwave or a single hob plug in induction plate etc if he really wants to be able to cook himself. Is he going back to the same hotel each time? If they are then the hotel may be willing to hold them over the weekends to avoid taking it backwards and forwards. 

I doubt that the hotel would allow this as it would be a potential fire hazard. However, he could ask his employer if they can consider a different hotel (ideally h could do a bit of research to be able to suggest one in a similar price bracket) 

Is there a microwave he can use on site? Would he be able to prep and eat something after his shift ends and before he goes to the hotel. If there isn't, and assuming there is some sort of site office, it might be easier to get permission to get a microwave /2 ring hob there than to get permission to use one in the hotel room

What sorts of things does he want to cook? 

He could ask the hotel whether they have a microwave and would be willing to reheat anything for him.

He can manage healthier options by buying / pre-preparing  healthier cold options (there's no reason he can't buy the makings of salads / sandwiches and wraps and put these together for himself, and a cold box (particularly if he keeps it in his car rather than a heated hotel room, during the day, and parks in the shade) will act as a pantry to keep things from overheating for a day or two - I think you can also get coolers you can charge from a car lighter docket as well)

If he is getting takeaways, it's worth him asking around about local cafes or pubs offering take away food - they may have healthier options than your traditional takeaway.

If the mental health issue is that he enjoys the process then perhaps if he did salads, cold cuts and things that needs prepping and assembling but not cooking he would find it helps. 
(also - check youtube - I recall seeing some videos by a chef who demonstrates some very creative ways to prep meals with only a kettle and (I think) trouser press! It may give him some ideas!)

Whilst I agree few hotels would "allow" it, if you asked, to be honest it happens all the time in the lower to middle market establishments used for these sort of business trips.

Realistically a hotel has very little control over what electrical items a guest uses in their room. Also, in the current situation, they will be short of business so less likely to complain. 

Providing you take care not to leave a mess and refrain from cooking anything that will stink the place out I would be surprised if there was a problem.

Kathy535

I used to stay away from home a lot and my diet changes dramatically when I was allowed to stay in serviced apartments and could cook my own food.  But I did manage without eating out all the time.  Some options:

• buying premade salads / sushi etc from the supermarket.  Or bread rolls and fillings and making your own sandwich of a night

• You can buy soup concentrate to mix with hot water from the kettle in your room and have that with cheese and a bread roll
• Rotisserie chicken or cold meat / cheese with a bag of salad
• Picnic - cold meat, cheeses, pates, olives, crackers, veggies and dips
• Pork pie/sausage rolls and pickle
• Cooked salmon fillet with flavoured couscous that you make up in your room (take a Tupperware container with you)

I managed to cook filled pasta and sauce in my hotel room (put pasta in a Tupperware container, pour over boiling water, seal and repeat in 3-5 mins; put sauce in a sealable plastic food bag and pop in the sink, pour boiling water over the top and leave until warm) and a friend used to take a toastier maker in her luggage. 

It does take some work but it is doable and doesn’t have to be a sad sandwich from a corner shop!

robatwork

Food you can cook by blanching - like the pasta above but add beansprouts, beans, peas then add cold meat from supermarket.

Agreed not ideal but not too difficult with some tupperware

Savvy_Sue

oh_really said:

I assume the hotel provides a breakfast. Does the employer provide any subsistence allowance when away from home?

Not necessarily as we used to understand breakfast. For example, I've just looked on Travelodge and they say "NEW breakfast to go includes breakfast favourites cornflakes, orange juice and a pain au chocolat and now has an added oaty flapjack snack to keep you powered until lunch." No chance of a full English ...