Imagine the two overlapping circles of a Venn diagram. The left ring represents “Things Boston is Famous For,” while the right is labeled: “Perks Every Employee Loves.” What rests in the overlapping middle? It’s simple — food.
It’s a topic Bostonians know something about. After all, who could resist clam chowder, baked beans, lobster rolls or a Fenway Frank? While comfort food and gourmet options abound in Beantown, remote, hybrid and on-site workers can lack the time, resources and access to get it.
Enter ezCater. Stefania Mallett and Briscoe Rodgers started the company nearly 20 years ago to give business professionals a tech solution for their hunger woes. The fast-growing organization has expanded to 850 employees.
This growth has come thanks in part to a strong culture. Built in Boston recently met with Senior UX Researcher Emily Arciprete to find out what one part of ezCater’s culture drew her in and how she hopes to contribute going forward.
ezCater is an online catering marketplace that allows individuals to order food from over 100,000 restaurants. Clients can track food spend and order snacks, daily employee meals, food for corporate events and everything in between.
What word would you use to describe ezCater?
Supportive. When I was searching for a new role, my utmost desire was to find an environment where trust and autonomy were extended to me — one where I would have unwavering support from my leaders and colleagues.
Support, in this context, goes beyond mere assistance with daily tasks. It encompasses having my decisions valued, my professional growth prioritized, my success celebrated, my failures embraced and the creative freedom to carry out my work.
From my first day at ezCater, my manager and colleagues made it abundantly clear that they were wholeheartedly invested in my success and helping me achieve my goals. This became apparent at the start of my interview process. The interviewers asked thoughtful questions with the intent of understanding my experience, goals and career desires. There were no trick questions.
My recruiter was also extremely transparent and prepared me for every interview round. I felt confident and supported at each step. Interviewing can be so stressful, but with ezCater, I felt supported every step of the way. When officially joining, the constant feeling of support continued and is something I love about our culture.
How long have you been with the company?
I’ve been at ezCater for about five months. We’ve built a collaborative culture where teamwork is not only valued but actively encouraged.
This trust has become a cornerstone of the company's ethos and has had a profound impact on my professional journey here. The combination of collaboration and trust has played a pivotal role in boosting my confidence and fostering my growth. Earlier in my career, I felt hesitant to speak out or offer a different perspective in a meeting. At ezCater, I know that my contributions are valued and that I have the autonomy to make decisions that drive business results.
The combination of collaboration and trust has played a pivotal role in boosting my confidence and fostering my growth.”
Ideas are shared and innovative solutions are welcomed. Employees are encouraged to challenge themselves and explore new opportunities. ezCater’s commitment to fostering a collaborative and trusting environment has also contributed to the collective success of my team. This level of support and empowerment has allowed me to take ownership of my work and make significant strides in my career in a remarkably short period of time. I’m grateful to be part of a company that upholds its values and delivers on its promises.
