One of the hopsital meals Omar Shaf loves. Picture: Tiktok screenshot
Hospital food has long been the subject of ridicule, associated with bland meals that are often low in flavour and high in nutrition.
However, a man from Bolton, England, is making waves on TikTok for challenging this stereotype. Omar Shaf has found an unexpected delight in hospital canteens, declaring them as his daily dining choice for the past two years.
Shaf's love affair with hospital meals began in 2022 when he frequently visited his father during a hospital stay.
After long shifts at work, the hospital canteen became an essential pit stop for nourishment, occasionally serving as his only meal of the day. His culinary exploration led him to the Royal Bolton Hospital, where a video of him enjoying his favourite dish of chips and beans garnered viral attention earlier this month.
As he ventured across multiple hospitals in the region, Shaf became something of a connoisseur of healthcare cuisine. His culinary journey revealed a surprisingly enjoyable side of hospital desserts, which he now calls his guilty pleasure.
"Whenever I feel like treating myself, I head down for one of their cakes," Shaf shared, particularly in love with their freshly made lemon drizzle cakes.
Despite his enthusiasm, Shaf admits to feeling a bit sheepish about his unconventional culinary preference.
"I'm really embarrassed to say it, but I hit up all the hospitals to eat in their canteens," he expressed.
He likens the experience to reliving "school dinners", humorously noting, "I can't just walk into a school and ask for a school dinner without raising some eyebrows, so I go to hospitals instead."
His dedication is such that he sometimes visits hospitals twice a day. To keep a low profile and avoid recognition from hospital staff, he has even resorted to changing outfits between meals.
"But I think I've blown my cover now," he laughed, acknowledging that he's likely attracted attention to his foodie escapades.
@omar_shaf1q The best place for chips and beans ##hospitalfood##nurse##doctor##hospital##chips ♬ original sound - Omar Shaf
Social media users have chimed in with a mix of amusement and curiosity. Comments under his viral post vary from disbelief to agreement as some fondly reminisced about having similar experiences.
One user wrote: "Rocked up purely for the food. Love it," while another highlighted a shared childhood memory of visiting hospital canteens for dinner.
“Even those who find his passion peculiar cannot help but agree that some hospital food can be surprisingly satisfying. “Finally someone understands,” remarked one user, while another exclaimed, “OMG! Hospital food is so good.”
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