What Is a Lunch and Learn? How to Host One, Topics and Food Ideas
A lunch and learn is a short educational session held over lunch, where a speaker teaches a practical topic while attendees eat. This guide explains how a lunch and learn works, how to host one, which topics work and what food to serve.
What Is a Lunch and Learn?
A lunch and learn is an informal training or presentation held during the lunch hour. Companies use a lunch and learn to train employees, and business groups use a lunch and learn to share expertise between members. Lunch and learn sessions are also called brown bag sessions when attendees bring their own lunch.
A lunch and learn works because it fits into the workday. Attendees learn something useful without giving up an evening, and the shared meal makes the session feel relaxed.
How Does a Lunch and Learn Work?
A lunch and learn follows a simple format with these typical attributes:
- Length: 45 to 90 minutes.
- Audience: employees, members of a business group or invited clients.
- Speaker: an employee, a member or an outside expert.
- Format: 20 to 40 minutes of teaching, then questions and discussion.
- Food: provided by the host, a sponsor or the venue, or brought by attendees.
- Location: a conference room, a restaurant private room or a video call.
How Do You Host a Lunch and Learn?
Hosting a lunch and learn takes seven steps:
- 1. Pick one useful topic that your audience can apply the same week.
- 2. Choose the speaker and agree on a 20 to 40 minute talk.
- 3. Book the venue with seating, a screen and room for food.
- 4. Order food that is easy to eat while listening.
- 5. Invite attendees two to three weeks ahead and ask for RSVPs.
- 6. Run on time: start eating at the top of the hour and start teaching ten minutes later.
- 7. Follow up with slides, a resource or a next step.
What Are Good Lunch and Learn Topics?
Good lunch and learn topics solve a problem the audience has right now. Practical, specific topics beat broad theory. Tribe Networking members have recently taught these business-development sessions:
- Cybersecurity for small businesses
- Security and people in the age of AI
- Succession planning for business owners
- Social media for local businesses
- Simple design techniques for better marketing
- Colorado retirement plan requirements and business tax credits
Other topics that work well include pricing, hiring your first employee, cash flow basics, customer service and using AI tools in a small business.
What Food Should You Serve at a Lunch and Learn?
Lunch and learn food should be easy to eat quietly with one hand or a fork. Good options include:
| Food option | Why it works | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Sandwich or wrap platters | Easy to serve, little mess | Label vegetarian options |
| Salad or grain bowls | Light, suits most diets | Order dressing on the side |
| Build-your-own taco or burrito bar | Popular, flexible | Needs serving space |
| Boxed lunches | Fast handout, no line | Order a few extra |
| Restaurant buffet | No setup for the host | Book a private room for quiet |
Ask about allergies and dietary needs in the RSVP, and avoid crunchy or messy food during the talk.
What Is a Virtual Lunch and Learn?
A virtual lunch and learn is a lunch and learn held on a video call, where attendees eat at their own desks. Some hosts send meal vouchers so everyone still gets lunch. Virtual sessions work best at 30 to 45 minutes, with slides kept simple and time saved for questions.
Why Do Businesses Run Lunch and Learns?
Businesses run lunch and learns because the format builds skills and relationships at a low cost. A speaker who teaches a useful lunch and learn also builds credibility, which is why business owners volunteer to present to networking groups and client audiences. For other formats, see these networking event ideas.
Tribe Networking runs business-development Lunch & Learns for members, and members can apply to host one. See Tribe’s Denver Lunch & Learn events.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a lunch and learn be?
A lunch and learn should usually last 45 to 90 minutes. Plan about ten minutes to get food, 20 to 40 minutes for the presentation and the rest for questions. Shorter sessions of 30 to 45 minutes suit virtual lunch and learns.
Who pays for food at a lunch and learn?
Food at a lunch and learn is usually paid for by the host company, a sponsor or the speaker. In brown bag sessions, attendees bring their own lunch. Business groups sometimes hold lunch and learns at restaurants where attendees order and pay individually.
Is lunch and learn hyphenated?
Lunch and learn is commonly written without hyphens as a noun, as in hosting a lunch and learn. Many organizations write Lunch & Learn as a program name. Either style is correct if you use it consistently.
Practice With Your Tribe
Want to attend or teach a Lunch & Learn in Denver? Visit a Tribe Networking meeting. Guests are welcome and your first three visits are free.