Steven Spielberg is one of thousands who gather daily to feast in the most upscale studio employee cafeteria in recent memory, Universalit’s the market. That’s saying a lot, considering that Spielberg’s Amblin (a business partner of NBCU housed on the Universal lot) is famous for employing its own chef for employee lunches.

Part of The Commons, which also houses state-of-the-art screening rooms, the Marketplace is a level up – and subsidized for employees. Various food stations range from a real sushi bar (if you’re willing to wait in line) to comfort foods, from the popular burrito bowl with chili verde pork to a barbecue salmon dish with Cajun rice and sprouts. of crispy Brussels pepperoni and hot honey pizzas. .

Designed by Lever and Field Operations, Universal’s renovated digs also include a new office building and a paseo with more than 10,000 square feet of green space, a serene place to sip a custom juice or enjoy a cookie that’s the Chef Jake’s secret recipe. Holland, executive sous chef, NBCUniversal-Bon Appetit (no relation to the magazine). Holland says 1,600 to 1,700 meals are shipped each day and about 20 percent of sales are vegan. “The market has definitely been great for morale,” says one NBCU staffer.

There is also a new executive dining hall, the Peacock Grill, for which NBCU bigwig Donna Langley personally sourced peacock-adorned upholstery to outfit the banquettes.

Studio commissaries, cafeterias, and executive dining rooms have long been spaces where one can surreptitiously watch visiting talent, as well as places where one can be seen with the powers that be to establish one’s position in the corporate hierarchy. While the pandemic put this centuries-old tradition on pause, it is now making a comeback as employers lure people into offices, as evidenced by the Marketplace at The Commons.

Most ordered in other studio commissioners

Sony

One of the most popular orders in the employee dining room is the bao buns, which come with maitake mushrooms, carrots, radishes and cucumber, topped with unagi sauce. Orange chicken is also a cult dish: word spreads quickly when it appears on the menu.

Warner Bros.

In the legendary executive dining room, the bar swims toward the door. It is served with farroto, English peas, broad beans, sorrel sauce, parmesan and mint gremolata.

Primordial

Originally the RKO commissary where Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz met, the studio’s dining room changes its menu every six weeks and daily specials are prepared with seasonal ingredients. Unmissable favorite: black cod.

Disney

One of the difficult items to keep in stock at the Disney park employee commissary is Dole Whip, the famous pineapple frozen treat that was only available for sale at Disney parks and on Disney cruise ships until 2023, when it hit the retail market. It is both vegan and gluten-free.

A version of this story appeared in the October 30 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.