I work in a movie theater and there are certain foods I would never order
THE icing on the cake of every cinema visit is the delicious food there.
Whether you’re a popcorn purist, an ice cream lover, or even enjoy pushing out some hot nachos, there’s a lot to choose from.
But a former cinema worker has spoken out about the snacks on sale and warned punters about certain options.
Speaking to Reddit, the ex-employee said: “I worked at a movie theater when I was a teenager and now I would never be served food that wasn’t prepackaged or uncovered.”
So things like nacho toppings are a no-no for starters.
The Reddit user claimed that things like salsa in their movie theater were “barely covered so the fruit flies were all over the place and also not left in the fridge all day.”
They added: “Old popcorn is bagged and reheated for the next day too.”
But unfortunately, the food problems don’t end there.
According to the former employee, who did not specify which movie theater they worked at, he alleged that other employees would touch food without gloves.
So, what would they recommend for you to nibble on the next time you watch a movie?
“[The] All I would get is the popcorn or chocolate packets and ice cream sundaes,” they said.
After sharing their insight into the world of cinema grub, another former employee commented on the post, adding that they would also avoid ordering nacho cheese.
“When I worked for a cinema chain in 2008-2009, the cheese sauce came in a large can,” they say.
“We had to decant it into tubs, water it and then microwave it. That gave it the more liquid consistency to spoon over the nachos.”
And someone else said they would never get a pick ‘n’ mix.
“They wrote, “The things I saw kids do before I put their hands over them make me sick just thinking about them.”
Can you bring your own food to the cinema?
From a business perspective, cinemas would of course prefer that people not bring their own food and drinks.
Selling food creates profit for them, and they don’t want their sales to be affected.
However, they will generally turn a blind eye to people sneaking in their own refreshments.
This is as long as there is no alcohol or hot food.
Inema bosses don’t like people taking hot food to the cinema because it can be spilled on the floor or on the seats, meaning customers’ clothes can be stained by a scoop of sauce or oil.
Like all establishments, legal movie theaters are limited in the amount of alcohol they can serve (if any), so people consuming their own liquor could put them in violation of their license.
In addition, a drunk customer can disrupt the movie enjoyment of others or cause a mess for the staff to clean up.
The ‘correct’ way to store food
1. Use airtight containers
This helps prevent exposure to air, which can cause your food to spoil. A glass container can help it be more hygienic and durable.
2. Label everything
Labeling your food can help you track expiration dates and prevent food waste.
3. Store like items together
This makes it easier to find what you are looking for. Use refrigerator dividers or reusable bags to divide your refrigerator.
4. Use the refrigerator and freezer wisely
Store raw meat on the bottom shelf to avoid contamination, and use the freezer for long-term storage.
5. Rotate your inventory
Place newer items at the back and bring the older ones to the front. This means you can notice the food that should be eaten first.