Hospital canteens often face criticism for their bland food. While patients maintain low-salt, sugar, and fat meals, the menu for visitors is also not much better. But to our surprise, here is Omar Shaf, a 33-year-old man from England who has spent £10,000 eating in different NHS cafes around the UK.
According to the Bolton News, Omar Shafiq, a resident of Haulgh sparked media attention after his review video on chips and beans from the Royal Bolton Hospital went viral with nearly 900,000 views. He claims to have enjoyed over 700 meals at various NHS sites, saying that the price and quality far surpass those high street restaurants.
His fondness for the meals at medical centers began in 2022 when he visited his dad at Royal Bolton Hospital after working late shifts. When initially started as a necessity sooner turned into a delightful routine. He found a meal of jacket potato, a drink and a chocolate bar worth £7 irresistible. Beyond affordability, Omar finds a sense of nostalgia for his 90s school dinners.
Omar owns a shop in Bolton and says he can eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at local hospital canteens. He always looks for NHS canteens nearby to dine while he's traveling. He said, 'If you asked me, 'Would you rather go to Nando's or the hospital to eat?' He says he'd prefer hospital meals for the quality and service. What started at the Royal Bolton Hospital has now expanded to hospitals in London and Glasgow, and he also visits NHS canteens 200 miles away from his home.
Further, he adds up and says his favorite meal the fish and chips at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, stands out as the best in the country for him. For Omar, these meals evoke strong memories of '90s school dinners, where fish and chips, beans and chips were a staple food.
His frequent visits to the Royal Bolton Hospital canteen have not gone unnoticed, doctors and staff started noting his regular visits. He jokingly mentioned that he occasionally visits the hospital canteen twice a day, donning different outfits to avoid being recognized by the staff. But thinks he has nearly given himself away.
It's not only chips and beans that he loves to tuck in, rather if is ever in the mood to treat himself, goes down to Bolton canteen and has their freshly made lemon drizzle cakes adds a sweeter note to this story.
What truly stands out is, that Omar sees his habit as a way to support the healthcare system. By spending his money at the hospital cafeterias he's helping keep them busy and contributing in his way to the NHS. He says it's the best way to support the NHS. The money I spend will go back to the NHS.
Though Bolton Hospital gets a lot of criticism he thinks it's a fantastic place with friendly staff and the absolute best canteen. He says that he'd not stop going until he's told he can't.
(Input From Various Sources)
(Rehash/Josna Lewis/MSM)
