Hospital food is notorious for being, well, gross. (Sorry, guys, we know you do your best, but let's call a spade a spade.)
But the tides may be changing, at least in the UK, where Scotland is currently considering mandating better catering. Health Secretary Alex Neil recently revealed new guidelines for hospital nutrition that may or may not become legally binding. More government funding is on the way to help hospitals cope with increased costs—as well as the commensurate increase in inspections.
With Thanksgiving on the way and food front-of-mind, Healthcare Dive decided to take a look at some of the most... bizarre? ... hospital food fails, and the lessons that can be learned from them.
1. It's all a matter of interpretation
The culinary arts are subjective. One woman's "cheese salad" is another woman's bag of grated cheese. It's an artist's right to experiment, innovate and, in some cases, dump a bag of cheese on a plate and call it a salad.
Well, I guess I did ask for the cheese salad #hospitalfood pic.twitter.com/mUjLw5djqm
— Sarah Leach (@Sarah_Liz_Leach) June 5, 2014
2. Presentation is everything
While we're on the culinary arts, plate presentation is an essential part of the dining experience. Less is more. Don't junk up your plate with unnecessary side dishes and garnishes. Let the course stand for itself.
Sense of humour failure #foodhell #hospitalfood really?! pic.twitter.com/LG0ZLy0hIL
— Maria O'Brien (@Head_of_CSI) May 10, 2014
3. Everyone likes a good mystery
As shown by the overwhelming popularity of the new This American Life podcast spin-off Serial, people love a good mystery. In this case, the mystery is one of constitution and substance. Seriously, y'all, what is this?
Ok Twitter help, I believe it's edible but what is it? On a roast beef dinner if that's any help #HospitalFood pic.twitter.com/yC3St6YPoC
— John (@Coffee_Johnny) February 2, 2014
4. Never serve solid foods when paste will do
Specifically: Frosting, icing, pesto, ketchup, whipped cream, Nutella, peanut butter.
Any guesses on what this stuff is? #hospitalfood #gag pic.twitter.com/70OjLHz4Aj
— Ashley Leavelle (@AshleyLeavelle) May 26, 2014
5. Always prepare food with the apocalypse in mind
This will survive.
6. When all else fails, just serve tater tots
The Lord's finest food.