As a working woman, part of everyday commuting meant ‘no time’ for preparing meals ahead from home for lunchtime meals for the office. For those fortunate to work in big offices, lunchtime meals are never a problem, as the office canteen filled the gaps by providing an array of meals to the delight of most partakers.

There have been the occasional business lunches for a few, which take place outside the office premises with a few ‘exotic clients’ or business associates, which offer great ambience along with a variety of meals to choose from. 

Such luxurious luncheon dining often provided an interesting break from the regular homemade meals and menus. Such meals often had three or four courses served, resulting in several ‘take –away’ packs being carted home for an evening meal or two, breaking the home meals tradition with some ‘goody bags’.

But change, we must, and the last couple of weeks of lockdown have ensured that there is nothing to take-away! During this great change in daily living, for safety and economic reasons, a lot of business executives have been eating lunch by default at home, as remote working became and may remain the norm.

Even workers on essential duties have had little or no time to go out of office for lunch, as eating at an eatery, is a no-go area. Most food outlets only serve simple meals in ‘take-away’ packs or deliver, via home delivery. Even some 5-star hotels have resorted to take-away service offerings to keep their brands relevant and keep their businesses in tune with the new ways of doing business.

Families have resorted to drawing up menus to make home meals more exciting, and the odd calls to the ‘take-away’ meal delivery services are placed to satisfy yearning palates that had been accustomed to ‘exotic take-away’ meals, (bearing in mind the need for safety and hygiene too).

One thing that however seems to be missing on the menu list of ‘take-away services is the ‘phone in Mama-Put’ joints that are not yet fully digitally savvy, yet have meals considered ever so delicious by many.

These ‘Mama Put’ local eateries have served many eat –in meals and several take-away orders from the office errands of office assistants! The lockdown has rendered many used to the ‘Buka Joint’ way of life for the lunchtime meal, with a burning desire for the return of the good old days, (which seems like forever, but was just about 2 months ago)!

As the lockdown eases gradually around the world, would it remain a NO, to ‘take-away’ packs (as certainly the big parties comprising the ‘Owambes’ may still be in the distant future, before returning to ‘Lagos life’)?

The take-away packs say a lot more in Nigeria! They are ‘thank you’ for coming packs. ‘Baba Kabo’, Iya ‘e ku’ile ‘, greetings (welcome packs) and most of all they are seen as ‘treats’ for the ever hard-working women and men, as a ‘pat on the back’ for a job well done!

We now all value our visits to restaurants for the camaraderie, fun and laughter over a meal, and the inevitable ‘take-away’’.

Perhaps this ‘new normal’ may mean ‘no more take-away’…only time will tell! 

Please share your thoughts, as we will be delighted to know your views!