Team Cooking alla Romana: Mastering Roman Cuisine for Effective Team Building

A lively kitchen buzzes with chatter, clanging pots, and the tantalising scent of authentic Roman dishes. This is our 'Team Cooking alla romana', where coworkers try their hand at recreating iconic Roman recipes in a classic team building exercise. 

Team Cooking meets tradition

The trinity of Roman pasta dishes - carbonara, cacio e pepe, and amatriciana - are at the core of this activity. These simple yet nuanced recipes are ideal for teamwork, communication, and friendly competition, as they are both easy to grasp and tricky to master - just like an effective team building exercise should be!

Carbonara, the creamy dish loved worldwide, is a matter of pride in Rome. And no, it does not involve cream, nor does it feature bacon. And you are not supposed to cook the eggs (really). Its origins are mysterious: some attribute it to American GIs bringing egg powder to Italy during and after WWII, others trace it back to coal miners (carbonari) making a filling meal with few ingredients. What we do know, however, is that making the perfect carbonara takes precision, timing, and, in this case, teamwork. One person crisps the guanciale, another whisks eggs and cheese smooth. The challenge is combining hot pasta with the raw eggs - too hot and it cooks the eggs turning the dish into an omelette, too cool and the egg and cheese mixture won’t coat the pasta and it won’t get as creamy as it needs to be. If you’re doing it as a team, you will need clear communication and unity. 

Next is cacio e pepe, the ultimate Roman minimalist dish. This is a deceptively simple pasta recipe, which requires skill and precision to create a creamy sauce using only pasta water, Pecorino Romano cheese, and black pepper. As team members collaborate to achieve the perfect consistency, guided by a professional chef, they develop patience, attention to detail, and an appreciation for the power of quality ingredients.

Amatriciana, finally, is a fiery sauce named after the town of Amatrice, and it demands a careful balance of bold flavours: the salty punch of guanciale, the acidic sweetness of San Marzano tomatoes, and the heat of local chilis. Through constant tasting and adjusting, team members refine their palates and learn to trust each other's judgment.

From the kitchen to the workplace

The skills honed in the kitchen – clear communication, time management, and creativity – are directly applicable to the workplace. Moreover, the shared experience of creating and savouring a meal together fosters a sense of camaraderie that traditional team-building exercises often lack.

Rome's vast culinary repertoire offers endless opportunities for exploration and learning beyond these three dishes. From crispy supplì to hearty pasta e ceci, each dish presents its own set of challenges and rewards.

As the cooking session concludes and team members gather to enjoy the fruits of their labour, they will have gained not only a delicious meal but also valuable skills and a deeper appreciation for the power of teamwork and the rich culinary traditions of Rome. The team has gained new skills, strengthened relationships with colleagues, and developed a greater understanding of Rome's rich culinary traditions.

Instead of settling for typical team-building activities, embark on a delightful culinary adventure through the heart of Roman cuisine. It's the perfect time to put on aprons, sharpen knives, and experience the transformative effects of cooking as a team. Spice up team dynamics with a touch of Roman flair. Contact us today for a customised Team Cooking experience in Rome!