Hands-On Cooking Class in the GP Kitchen
Life Happens Around Food
Bringing groups of co-workers into our professional kitchen is a unique opportunity to
achieve team-building objectives. For any group, cooking and learning new culinary
skills is a way to share a passion while having fun and learning about one another.
The Great Performances culinary team plans and facilitates the production of a
complete meal. The group breaks into teams to create an appetizer and a three-course
meal: first team concentrating on the appetizer, second on the first course, third on
the entree, and the last on the dessert. At the end, everyone enjoys the fruits of their
labor as a family meal.
What is always a surprise is recognizing that we each have special hidden talents and
innovative ideas that emerge while cooking and working in a new environment. We
have watched a group begin to laugh, share stories, and interact in new ways while
cooking and eating together.
Some of the results we have seen from kitchen team-building activities include new
levels of communication, greater creativity within the group, increased respect among
team members, and a willingness to open up to new ideas and methods.
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Back to Your Roots:
Katchkie Farm Visit
There is nothing like getting to the "root" of the matter than taking a trip to the farm.
Katchkie Farm, in the Hudson Valley is the perfect refuge from urban stress and
structure. Here, on our 60-acre certified organic farm, adults experience the simple
beauty of nature and the miracle of how vegetables grow from seed.
We begin the day with an overview and tour led by Bob Walker, Farm Manager. Bob
has masterminded the transition of the property from fallow overgrown fields to a
productive and functioning farm. The greenhouses, washroom, workroom, irrigation
system, and brand new infrastructure are the envy of the county, built with unique
vision and dedication.
Our visitors will plant, assist in harvesting, and then prepare their own lunch with
the fresh produce they have picked. There is a 2-acre pond with great fishing, a
paddleboat, and a dock perfect for jumping off into the water.
We have seen even the best of the NY foodie crowd marvel at how a carrot is pulled
from the ground and swoon over the intense flavors of the tomatoes, lettuces, or other
items they have picked. Our chefs who frequently visit the farm have dubbed their
meals the 50-foot menu, going from farm to plate in 24 minutes instead of 24 hours!
Seeing is believing and experiencing is life-altering. Once these connections are
made, a true love and respect for the land and fresh local food takes root. One then
understands our motto: Our passion starts from seed.
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Please contact us at 212.727.2424 or CelebrateFood@greatperformances.com