Sonata Pizza & Bakery School

The Evolution of the Business Lunch: From Medieval Feasts to Modern Meetings. The business lunch remains a key element of modern corporate culture. While not as boozy as in previous decades, they are still a way to buld relationships, seal deals and celebrate successes. But have you ever wondered about its origins? Let's take a brief journey through time to explore the fascinating history of the business lunch. Ancient Roots * In Roman and Greek times, business lunches were quite different from what we know today * These gatherings often took place in public spaces like forums or marketplaces * Here merchants and politicians would discuss deals over simple fare. Medieval Beginnings: Feasts and Negotiations * In medieval times, important business dealings often took place during elaborate feasts * These events served as a display of wealth and power, setting the stage for negotiations * The concept of "breaking bread" to build relationships and trust has deep historical roots The Coffee House Revolution * 17th century London saw the rise of coffee houses as centers of business and intellectual discourse * These establishments became known as "penny universities" due to the wealth of knowledge exchanged over a cup of coffee * Many modern financial institutions, such as Lloyd's of London, trace their origins to these early coffee house meetings The Industrial Revolution and the Birth of the Modern Business Lunch * As cities grew and commerce expanded, the need for dedicated spaces to conduct business over meals increased * The 19th century saw the emergence of gentleman's clubs and fine dining establishments catering to businessmen * The concept of the "power lunch" began to take shape, with deals being struck over multi-course meals The American Influence: Efficiency and Networking * In the early 20th century, American business practices began to influence UK corporate culture * The focus shifted towards more efficient, time-constrained lunches * Networking became a crucial aspect of these midday meetings, with relationships built over lighter fare The Modern Era: From Three-Martini Lunches to Health-Conscious Choices * The 1960s and 70s saw the height of the lavish business lunch, often accompanied by multiple cocktails * Recent decades have witnessed a shift towards healthier, more casual business lunches * Technology has changed the nature of these meetings, with virtual lunches becoming more common in the digital age As we look back on the rich history of the business lunch, it's clear that while the settings and customs may have changed, the fundamental purpose remains the same: to build relationships, exchange ideas, and drive business forward. What's your favorite aspect of the modern business lunch? #BusinessHistory #CorporateCulture #BusinessLunch

Have you ever considered a food-based team building event?   Food has a unique way of bringing people together, with lunches and dinners a part of business for as long as anyone can remember.* At Sonata Pizza & Bakery School, we harness this power to create an engaging, hands-on experience that fosters teamwork, creativity, and a dash of friendly competition. Whether you knead dough or sprinkle cheese, every step in our pizza making process encourages collaboration and communication among team members, making it the perfect recipe for strengthening workplace relationships. Why Sonata Pizza Team Events Really Deliver At Sonata, we don't just make pizza; we craft experiences that resonate with your team's needs. Our events are designed to: Enhance Communication: Cooking together requires clear communication—skills directly transferable to the workplace. Boost Morale: A relaxed, fun environment improves team spirit and job satisfaction. Encourage Creativity: Customising pizzas allows team members to express themselves in unique ways, sparking creativity. Be Fun: Work can be stressful and it helps to offer fun events such as these to play a part in staff retention #teambuilding #humanresources #corporateevents #pizza * To trace the history of the business lunch, see our article "The Evolution of the Business Lunch: From Medieval Feasts to Modern Meetings" in our Featured section.

The Sonata Pizza School teaches Neapolitan Pizza making skills to beginners and professionals alike at our state of the art facilities in Harlow, Essex. It's also ideal for a corporate team event where new skills are learned in a fun environment. You even get to eat your work at the end!