They’ve taken the internet by storm, and if you haven’t seen these local guys already you must check out @eatingintheoffice on Instagram. This team of foodies has taken the typically mundane and made it a celebration, and it’s probably the perfect time for everyone to get back to basics and experience the sheer joy that can come with A. having a job and B. eating lunch daily.
bazaar decided to find out more about these young creatives, and we secured the deal by offering to bring lunch. What could be more share worthy than authentically hearty Egyptian fare from Matbakh Yusria, just like aunty makes.
There’s actually four of them in the office gang but you’ll only ever see three on camera. Chalisa, who has the best expressions, Donna is the South African one and Walid sports the curly hair. Kris is off-camera but really needs to be because she is so busy, “herding her cats” offers Donna, which are the office gang.
Kris is the logistics master that keeps everything together whether it be ordering the food or organizing where the content needs to be and when. “We can’t function without her,” volunteers Chalisa. On the day with bazaar, Kris plates beautifully all the Matbakh Yusria dishes with each condiment and layer perfectly assembled so everyone gets a real taste of how everything is prepared.
Chalisa is the newest to Kuwait so @eatingintheoffice is a great opportunity for the gang to explore food culture in Kuwait with her. “The food is so different”, says the Thai/British expat. Donna interjects excitedly, “She just had her first shawarma and is obsessed,” “I love labneh too” adds Chalisa, and then we all start throwing in what she should try with labneh like “try Doritos!” or “with zaater is delicious!”
Donna continues to explain how much everyone in the office loves food and that it’s usual for the office staff to sit at one of the two large tables and eat together.
One day they were sitting down and Chalisa said, “You know what guys, I think we’re funny, I’m just going to film us as a joke.” Chalisa put the camera on, they tagged the video, the concept reposted it and all of a sudden @eatingintheoffice was born. Donna chimes, “We were getting DM’s from all sorts of food places and we just thought what’s happening?!”
Concepts and Instagram followers seem to be attracted to Chalisa’s style of editing “Gen Z babies are on top of it”, says Donna adding, “People relate to us being as awkward as we are.”
And this truly is the joy of watching the office gang together. There’s lots of side eye, silly moments, realizations and real moments. There’s no filter and when we’ve seen such a backlash against the fakery of it all particularly with the scandals befalling so many influencers of late, it’s joyous to see real people enjoying themselves, sharing experiences and appreciating each other.
“We started out for fun and it’s still fun, we still enjoy food, and we’ve gotten closer because we spend every lunch, every day together,” Chalisa confides.
Donna tells us that they would honestly like their account to be known for supporting small businesses, “Because that’s what Chalisa really set her heart on.” It is now more vital than ever to support independent Food & Beverage concepts by giving them much needed exposure.
“Especially start-ups because they’re starting something from the heart. Our support for these types of concepts is something Chalisa has willed into existence, and they pay so much attention not only to the Instagram worthy things but to their flavors and their tastes, and they deliver the food themselves.”
Even while bazaar is there, deliveries from local concepts that we’ve been wanting to try start arriving.
When it comes to content for IG Stories Walid has a great sense of humor so he is responsible for this, and Chalisa edits the static posts. She loves it so much that editing @eatigintheoffice is listed as her hobby.
“Walid and I are quite serious when it comes to our SK (@seoul.kool) work, so [with this] we just want it to be light and fun.” Walid agrees saying, “We just have fun with it. We film with our phones, no lights or anything!” If you see the ring light behind the scenes, it’s because it is being used as a stand for the cell phone being used as a camera.
bazaar is curious to find out where all the fans are coming from, considering how incredibly cosmopolitan the office gang members are. Walid ventures, “Mainly Kuwait but we do have from different countries, Morocco, Saudi, Thailand.”
“We have stans,” says Donna and then we all digress into a discussion about Eminem and the origin of “stans.” The food arrives and we get completely distracted once more.
bazaar asks the office gang which dish they think of when they think Egyptian food.
“Pasta, rice and lentils,” offers Chalisa, Donna agreeing, “that’s the only Egyptian one I think we’ve had,” Walid adding that he’s never eaten Egyptian. So, Matbakh Yusria is the perfect concept to share with them. bazaar starts to explain the influences behind Koshari as Kris sets out the family sized delivery of the Egyptian street food dish as well as Molokya, and Hawawshi- or “meat cake” as Chalisa describes it, and for dessert the classic Atayef.
You will need to watch the @eatingintheoffice post on Instagram to see the hilarity that ensues and the office gang’s wonderful reactions to the dishes, but suffice to say much enjoyment was had by all.
How would your mother describe you in one word?
Donna: Mate
Walid: Sweet
Chalisa: Vivacious
How would you describe your mother in one word?
Donna: Superhuman
Walid: Giving
Chalisa: Home
What is the most ridiculous question you’ve ever been asked?
Donna: This question
Walid: Do you want to work in Kuwait?
Chalisa: Do you eat dogs in your country?
What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
Donna: Move to Kuwait
Walid: Turning my hobby into a job
Chalisa: Went to Prague with a backpack for New Year’s on a solo trip
What is your theme song?
Donna: Just hold on we’re going home- Drake
Walid: HEAVEN – Troy Sivan
Chalisa: Watermelon Sugar – Harry Styles
What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented?
Donna: Yummy
Walid: Peace
Chalisa: Oh my God
Where would you like to live? What is your dream retirement location?
Donna: Close to nature, Spain
Walid: Morocco, Marrakech
Chalisa: Wherever my best friend is
What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind?
Donna: Be the change you want to see in the world
Walid: Fake it ’til you make it
Chalisa: Good food, good mood
Which animal best describes your perfect partner, be it in business, or in life?
Donna: A Panda
Walid: A Tiger
Chalisa: An Otter – insert an otter emoji (bazaar couldn’t find one)
Do you miss anything from your childhood and if so, what is it?
Donna: All the good candy
Walid: Not having a phone
Chalisa: Having my grandparents
If you could change your name, what would you change it?
Donna: Judy
Walid: Shawn
Chalisa: Chili-sa, thank you Jen for the recommendation (bazaar Chili-sa likes it spicy)
How would you describe your handshake, in one word?
Donna: Fist bump
Walid: Awkward
Chalisa: Air shake (because of social distancing)
What is the toughest part of your character?
Donna: My resting bitch face
Walid: My will to achieve a goal
Chalisa: Easily distracted
Who is your favorite historical figure?
Donna: Sara Baartman
Walid: Mother Teresa
Chalisa: Mozart
What in the world do you least desire?
Donna: Okra
Walid: Pepperoni
Chalisa: Licorice
What do you think is lacking in the world, which [if there were more of it] would make the world a better place?
Donna: Kindness
Walid: Understanding
Chalisa: Free food
Why do you think most people who do, like you?
Donna: No idea, you should ask them
Walid: I’m a good listener, and friend
Chalisa: I love sharing food
Finish this sentence: “Happiness is…”
Donna: Good Food
Walid: Being in nature while it’s raining
Chalisa: Happiness is happy people
Follow @eatingintheoffice, @seoul.kool and @Matbakh.Yusria on Instagram. Images courtesy of Eating In The Office.
