TEAM COOKING FOR RESULTS has four hands-on programs, listed in order of complexity:
Program A: Values and Behaviors of Effective Teams
This session starts with a review of fundamental team skills. The group then works together identifying shared values and behaviors that the team members think are critical to their success. The cooking phase of the retreat provides a chance for them to model these values and behaviors to the benefit of the whole group. Smaller cooking teams are assigned menu items to prepare and they decide on the division of labor and roles. Once the meal is ready, the whole team dines together. The retreat closes after debriefing the cooking experience and planning for how to bring the learning back to the workplace. Program A emphasizes communication, team values, and collaboration.
Program B: Team Assessment Survey
This program gives groups a chance to assess their strengths and “growing edges” — and the team cooking experience offers a chance to build on both. A team assessment survey is completed and results are reviewed. Teams identify which areas they would like to strengthen and these goals are given special attention during the cooking session and debrief discussion. After dining and discussion, the team completes action plans for how to continue to build on the strengths and growing edges back at work.
Program C: Decision Making & Problem Solving
This session adds a layer of difficulty to the Team Cooking experience. The retreat starts with a review of fundamental team skills. Individuals are then assigned to a cooking team. A set of ingredients are provided along with 2 to 3 menu options. The group must choose a menu, develop a strategy for preparation, and decide on roles and responsibilities. After the meal, the debrief discussion focuses on decision making skills, balancing individual and team goals, and team patterns for handling ambiguous situations.
Program D: “Iron Chef” Challenge
This program is the most challenging team cooking experience. Designed to increase creativity as well as negotiation and strategy building skills, this program will help propel your teamwork skills forward. Cooking teams are given a set of ingredients and must develop their own plan for creating their part of the meal. All participants must share the same resources and will need to negotiate and communicate with the other cooking teams to achieve their goal. Discussion and debrief focus on how the team manages conflicts and ambiguity and how to apply learning to projects back at work.