Food is so much more than just a source of nourishment; according to James Beard it is a universal experience and an essential part of our day-to-day lives. It has the power to bring people together, inspire creativity and collaboration, and foster a sense of community that transcends boundaries. This is why incorporating cooking and gathering around a table into your team building strategy can be a game-changer for your workplace and have a great effect on the well-being of your employees.
"Food is our common ground, a universal experience." James Beard
Research by Gallup, a global analytics and advisory company, has found that only 15% of employees worldwide are engaged in their work. Employee engagement is a critical factor in driving workplace performance and productivity. Studies have shown that engaging activities like cooking classes and eventually gathering around a table can increase employee engagement, improve workplace performance, boost creativity, and enhance communication. The act of cooking requires teamwork, creativity, and attention to detail - all essential qualities for building a strong and effective team. And by sharing a meal together, colleagues have the opportunity to connect on a deeper level, to share stories, and to build relationships that exceed the workplace.
Priya Parker, author of the bestselling book "The Art of Gathering," has researched and written extensively about the power of gathering for building community and fostering connections. She notes that "the art of gathering is about creating spaces and experiences that are meaningful, memorable, and transformative." By incorporating the principles of the art of gathering into your team building strategy, you can create an atmosphere of intentionality, meaning, and purpose that goes beyond just sharing a meal.
"The art of gathering is about creating spaces and experiences that are meaningful, memorable, and transformative." Priya Parker
Despite all the valuable effects on social connection, recent studies have also shown that regularly visiting educational cooking classes can have a positive impact on mental health, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. This highlights the importance of implementing activities like these to take care of our mental health and wellbeing, not just in our personal lives but also in the workplace.
At its core, gathering around a table and sharing a meal is an essential part of being human. We all need social interaction and a sense of community to thrive, both in our personal and professional lives. There should be no distinction when it comes to our needs and actual well-being.
Relationship and human behavior expert Patrick Wanis, Ph.D., sees food as the sixth omnipotent love language as it incorporates all five love languages as well as the five senses. A love language that I understood and learned from a very young ago onwards and hence my goal today, to cook and share this love with as many people as possible. Even if some of us have forgotten about it, sharing an experience like a cooking class can bring us back to our roots, especially when cooking with our hearts and getting our hands on. In a relaxed and easy setting, I show participants how delicious, nutritious, diverse and simple homemade and healthy food can be. The ripple effect it has on the individuals and both, their professional and personal lives, is always so rewarding to me.
Are you ready to cook up some delicious teamwork together and to spread the love?!
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