Tag kitchen challenge

Parties That Cook Gets Scientific in the Kitchen with BMRN and Genentech

0 comments By The Kitchen Whisperer Filed in Entertaining, News & Events Tagged with , , , , , , August 15th, 2011 @ 12:17 pm

In the last couple of weeks, we have seen no lull in our busy streak. On Friday, August 5th, BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (BMRN) hosted a fun Sumptuous Small Plates corporate team building event. Lead Chef, Laura, reported that the event ran smoothly and she thought it was a really nice group. She added that the guests were “excited about what the event had to offer and were proud of their work.” As they should be!

The mouthwatering menu consisted of such delicious items as Lettuce Cups Filled with Gingery Pork, Shiitake Mushrooms and Hoisin Sauce, Ground Sirloin Sliders with Smoky Cheddar Cheese, Little Fish Tacos with Tomato Salad and Chipotle-Lime Crema, Crostini of Homemade Ricotta and Roasted Red Bell Pepper Jam and Banana and Mango Spring Rolls with Caramel-Rum Sauce. I’m getting hungry already!

Chef Laura’s words were mirrored by the BMRN host, Paul F., who commented that, “It was just overall fun, with a great atmosphere.” This is not hard to believe, since Paul had selected, Zephyr, a beautiful San Francisco showroom, as the venue!

The following Monday, August 8th, repeat client Genentech hosted a high-energy Kitchen Challenge team building event at Thomas Fogarty Winery. Linda B., the Genentech host, best described the atmosphere as “controlled chaos”. Linda also reported, “Everyone told me it was great fun and they loved this activity,” – a fun way to end a morning of meetings! She found that the best part was “the opportunity to work with people on our team that we typically don’t have the chance to interact with on a fun task. I got to know some people better from a different perspective.” Mission accomplished!

Lead Chef, Scott, hit another one out of the park! It’s no easy task to engage people just out of a 3-hr meeting. Chef Scott and the rest of the PTC team guided guests through an event with NO recipes (the norm for a Kitchen Challenge). Linda commented that the guests created some terrific dishes, “everything the participants wanted or needed was provided… The staff was very responsive and right there when we had questions or needed help — good direction and handy preparation tips.” Nicely done, PTC team!

What a great sign of things to come as we slowly approach the busy Holiday Season!
We love hearing about all the fun in the field! If you would like to see your Parties That Cook event featured in our blog, just let us know!

Parties That Cook Survives Eleven Corporate Team Building Events in Three Days

2 comments By The Kitchen Whisperer Filed in Entertaining, General, News & Events Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , July 29th, 2011 @ 2:47 pm

One week ago today, Parties That Cook was powering through the last corporate team building events of a crazy week. With 11 events in just 3 days, we were running like a well-oiled machine! Hosting groups included the Council of Business Advisors, PRTM and RTI, checking in with as many as 86 guests!

RTI hosted a lunch-time Kitchen Challenge event, with all 86 guests participating in this heated cooking competition! Our team of professional chefs, lead by seasoned Executive Chef Tanya, was all over it – remaining calm and collected through the madness. Guests broke into teams, creating a variety of delicious, well-presented dishes. There was even a tie for Best Protein, which was later decided by crowd applause. The dessert team went above and beyond, adding the letters RTI to the Seasonal Fruit Potpies! (A+, guys!) According to Samantha, the RTI host, “As a planner, the best part was that Chef Tanya and the staff really took over and completely handled our group when it was time to begin. I’m not used to that, and it made it so I could really enjoy myself and participate as well. From a participant perspective, the best part was being able to see another side of the people I work with. I learned something new about everyone! It was definitely a bonding experience.” After talking to a few male guests, she later reported that even the skeptics of the group admitted they loved it!


The Council of Business Advisors opted for a Sumptuous Small Plates event – a great choice for their goal of getting to know each other better! The crave-inducing menu included client favorites such as Ahi Tuna Tartar in Toasted Won Ton Cups, Mini Gyros (Pita pockets filled with Grilled Lamb), Shiitake-Scallion Pot Stickers and Savory Plum & Thyme Bruschetta (featured in yesterday’s blog post!). They ended the evening on a sweet note, serving Double Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse Tartlets. Yum! Throughout the event, guests were mingling with fellow organization members and meeting members they had never met before. Guest s loved Chef Mick! Joe, our point of contact for the event, stated, “Everyone had a great time… Chef Mick was great… Plenty of great conversation and fun, and the energy was high from beginning to end.” We love to hear that!


To round things out, PRTM chose a Chef’s Table event for their summer associates. Sitting down to enjoy 4 courses prepared by your co-workers/fellow event guests is a great way to build camaraderie! According to Chef Scott, the group, which included a number of foodies, really enjoyed the food. A menu including Savory Plum & Thyme Bruschetta, Flash Fried Cornmeal Calamari, Balsamic-Marinated Grilled Skirt Steak and Warm Chocolate Budino with Raspberry Sauce sounds good to me! PRTM’s Recruiting Program Manager (and event host), Kerri, thought “the team collaboration, venue, the tips from the chef, recipes and wine pairing –every part of the event was GREAT!!” The perfect ending PTC’s action-packed week!

Now, after a SECOND week of 11 events in 3 days, we are officially in recovery mode…
Until Monday, when start another run of 11 events. Hope to see you in the kitchen (or out on a farm) soon!

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