Team-building Cooking Classes for Corporate or Community Groups

Cook-up a Team that Works Together!

“Let’s Take a Whisk” Team-building Cooking Classes are the perfect recipe for unforgettable corporate team-building events. Hands-on cooking classes encourage team-bonding, improve communication, and foster camaraderie, all while whipping up fun in the kitchen!

Consider a new option for corporate or group team-building in the eastern Iowa area. Innovative corporate cooking events can build teamwork and inspire camaraderie and collaboration – perfect for companies/groups looking to increase internal ROI, productivity and employee satisfaction.

  1. Customize your event
    Let me help you design the best team-building activity your company has ever experienced! Choose among several menu options or we’ll customize the event to fit your needs.
  2. Choose a mouthwatering menu
    Inspired by flavors around the globe, all menus highlight seasonal ingredients, and are designed to suit any palate or occasion.
  3. Put on the finishing touches
    From corporate gifts to special participation gifts (aprons, cooking utensils with your logo, etc.);
    we guarantee a seamless planning experience and a complete team-building event that is effective, rewarding and deliciously fun!

Read testimonials showing how much people love our classes!

Corporate/Group Team Building Events – Now Offering Team-building in Eastern Iowa and the Des Moines area, too!

If like many corporations and businesses, you’re searching for an ideal way to improve team morale, boost group communication, and bolster results, what better way than a day out - learning new skills and having fun at the same time?

Studies have shown that Culinary Team-Building events are far more effective and produce longer lasting results than traditional team activities.

Your team will laugh and learn as they participate in the planning and execution of a menu utilizing many of the creative recipes we can provide!

Throughout the 3- to 4-hour session participants will discover that the only way to achieve their objectives is to work as a cohesive team, utilizing effective communication, planning and leadership.

Culinary Corporate or Group Team-Building is truly the ‘great equalizer’ bringing people together to improve communication, hone problem-solving skills, build morale and invoke spontaneous displays of joy.

The simple act of making good food together becomes the focus for sharing responsibility and making the most of each person’s individual skills. What better way to work toward a common goal than roasting pork tenderloin, steaming a medley of fresh vegetables or creating a decadent dessert?

After your team has prepared a taste-tempting 3- to 5-course meal, you’ll enjoy the fruits of your labors.

Even if participants’ cooking skills are limited to nothing more than pushing a few buttons on a microwave, they will find a Culinary Team Building event both fun and educational.

People are continually amazed at the quality and presentation of the gourmet meals and appetizers they create without any previous cooking experience.

Team-building Class Options:

For groups under 10 or so people, everyone can sit around the kitchen counter. Your team will be divided into small teams of two. Each team will prepare one course of the menu, then serve the foods prepared to the rest of the group. Everyone eats as the foods are prepared. This type of experience allows for more teaching by Nina, as you go. You’ll learn more about cooking with this option as Nina shares her expertise and helpful tips and techniques.

The second option is better with groups over 10 people. This is a more hands-on cooking party, with only brief instructions at the beginning provided by Nina.

  1. Your group is divided into three (or four) teams. You can divide up your staff/employees into teams or we will divide using the “luck of the draw.”
  2. Each team member’s name will be placed in a drawing to determine a “Top Chef” for each team who will oversee managing their team of cooks.
  3. Food Preparation: Each team will prepare part of the meal. All problem solving, timing and communication skills will be put to the test as they organize themselves and the timing of their dishes to assure that everything is ready to eat on-time, and in time for each course.
  4. Sit-down DinnerEach team serves their food “restaurant-style” to the other teams.

It’s during dinner when even more communication and team building occurs. People bond even further while dining together.

The third option is better for group over 10 people. This type of event is competition-cooking. Recent television shows like “Chopped” have made this type of event a popular option.

  1. Your group is divided into three (or four) teams. You can divide up your staff/employees into teams or we will divide using the “luck of the draw.”
  2. Each team member’s name will be placed in a drawing to determine a “Top Chef” for each team who will oversee managing their team of cooks.
  3. All problem solving, timing and communication skills will be put to the test as they organize themselves and the timing of their dishes to assure that everything is ready to eat on-time, and in time for each course.
  4. All teams will be given the same ingredients to create a dish, such as pasta, salsa or salads. Voting will take place to determine the best dish.

Menu Options

This is the wonderful opportunity when everyone continues sharing about who they are when not a company employee. To reinforce this experience participants are asked to discover what they’ve learned from the team-building exercise, and how to apply it to their current working world.

Think inside and outside the bowl . . . Anything is possible!

Next Steps:

  • Set a date.
  • Determine the menu (from my list of options). Determine special needs (gluten free, vegetarian, etc.) for your group.
  • Corporate groups are allowed to bring their own alcohol to enjoy at the team-building event, after signing a legal liability agreement.  This agreement must be arranged in advance and there is an additional charge per person if alcohol is added to the event.
  • Determine your objective for the event i.e.
    • build stronger relationships with team members outside of work
    • have fun cooking together
    • celebrate a successful year
    • other
  • Determine if you would like to provide your group with aprons, whisks or other cooking utensils as take-home keepsakes. These items require a few weeks lead time. However, many items are available via my boutique.
  • Aprons are provided for use during the team-building event. If you would like to purchase your own aprons, please let me know.
  • Chef Hats are provided for each team’s top chef for an extra charge of $10 each. The top chefs can keep their hats. Or, they can wear during the event at no charge.
  •  50% of the total estimated fee is due when booking your event.
  • Prices are based on having your event at my location.  If your group is larger than 20 people, another venue will be needed.  Extra charges will be added to the cost for venue rental, linens, dinnerware, flatware and glassware, etc.
  • Prices are based on paying with cash or check.  If paying by credit card, extra fees apply.
  • All payments are expected prior to or on the day of the event.  If you feel that you have had great service and a great experience, gratuity is appreciated.

“Let’s Take a Whisk” – Together!