The Well Beyond Food Project

Team Work & Complimentary Skillsets: One of the aspects that I enjoy about designing our The Well Beyond Food Project #teambuildingactivities is creating criteria and interactions that bring teams together, cross-functionally. In all aspects of our lives, especially at work, learning to embrace our peers' talents and personalities in order to create efficiencies, is a practice that can get stymied by egos when we work in silos. When companies embrace opportunities to "get the band together" and partake in team building experiences, they serve as opportunities to democratically disrupt and recalibrate leadership styles in real time. We all have strengths and weaknesses and #teambuilding is the perfect way to empower others to have a place to showcase their talents. No matter if we are right or left brained, introverted or extraverted. We all have a voice to be heard. #TeamBuildCooking

KITCHEN CONNECTIONS 🥘🚀🔑🧲🙌 Throughout my career I've been blessed to create relationships with origins that began professionally, that later evolved into lifelong personal friendships. In any event that we get the opportunity to express ourselves authentically, no matter if it's through our words or perhaps just our food, it gives recipients an opportunity to experience themselves and the values that they too hold dear. That said, when we blend the two with how we see the world, into a story around the foods that we cook and share... this is where the magic happens. Give it a try sometime. Food is the medium. Your voice is the key. Thank you to Lena and Michelle for being a spring board to The Well Beyond Food Project and the work we are doing in the world to bring this message to organizations and companies who crave connected cultures and teams. #Gratitude #FoodAndHumanConnection

I often reference FOOD AS THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE that connects people. Whether it's a buffet at our family holiday gatherings or a "working" business lunch in the board room. Much of the time, food can be unassuming as the powerful connector it is. Too often, when we aren't engaged with everyone around us a table, food falls short of its fullest potential as a springboard to better conversations. However, with intention, food is a trusted vehicle that can inspire commonality and activate curiosity at the table. Simple conversations about the things we have in common, like a love for ice cream or a passion for hole-in-the-wall diners, unlocks doors. The assumptions and judgements go out of the window when we can see ourselves in our table mates, and vice versa, when we find out something we have in common. From sharing a first name to a mutual love for ice cream, these commonalities cultivate bonds between humans that may not have otherwise not occurred without a simple chat over a meal. This phenomenon is known as #IncidentalSimilarities which comes from Walton, Cohen, Cwir and Spencer's "#MereBelonging: The Power of Social Connections" study. The possibilities are endless once the small talk makes way for more meaningful conversations. More grace and patience are given to new acquaintances, when this groundwork has been laid. Simply put, it builds empathy. This is not a secret sauce, however, at The Well Beyond Food Project we certainly put our own flair on it for our #TeamBuilds. Our #RecipeForHumanConnection is where we bring good food and facilitated conversations together, with intention.

In any cooking video when you look #behindthescenes there's always so much more going on than the viewer knows. Before the Final Cut, it's an orchestra of talented people coming together, amidst the constraints of a ticking clock, budgets, changes in lighting, acoustics, limited ingredients, cook times, energy levels, charisma, etc. Above all, no matter who's on camera, constant communication around #VisionAndGoals is essential. The difference between a good and great cooking video happens when the entire team has "buy-in" because each has a clear understanding of the desired outcome and why their contribution is essential in the process. Empathy and kindness are the secret sauce of course. It takes a village and knowing how and why we belong within it elevates everyone's game, especially those behind the camera. A tip of the hat to Dirk Donnel and Yrving Torrealba for being in my The Well Beyond Food Project village. #teambuildingactivities #lightscameraaction

On the topic of "titles" and "What do you do for a living?"... How do you answer this Q when you feel as if your job title limits understanding? To say I'm both a "chef" and/or a "facilitator" feels limiting and likely confusing to the person across from me, as they are simply generalizations with assumptions attached to them. My answer to this Q is "Well, I use food to connect people, and as a chef and facilitator, I do this in a variety of ways." I will admit that beyond the intrigue that context can create for more meaningful introductions, there is also an upside to being generalized by title. Like say for instance, when I've been on a cross-country 🌎, red-eye ✈️, with two hours of sleep🥱. Then I'm simply "a consultant" in that case, lol. However, the truth of the matter is that most meaningful conversations "give" rather than "take" energy. So what do you do for a living? #ConversationsDesignOurLives #BetterConversationThroughFood #teambuildingactivities

#OpenFireCooking is a passion of mine that has been reinforced by my in-laws. We love it no matter how cold it is outside! Whether it's for a client's #CompanyOffsight or our family's Thanksgiving feast, it never fails to create an atmosphere of playfulness and adventure. I find that in these experiences, when we embrace the elements at hand and variables that challenge our expectations, we see the world and each other with more patience, gratitude and trust. The imperfection of it equalizes the playing field and puts everyone at ease as bellies and minds are filled with goodness. This is part of our culture building recipe at The Well Beyond Food Project. #TeamBuilding

An early Thanksgiving morning walk with my dog, June, and wife, Lindsey, yielded the sights and sounds that remind me of the abundance I have around me. From incredible clients to a healthy family to a sunny day... it matters. Perhaps you have your own version was you breathe into this day of gratitude? #Serenity #thanksgiving2023 #PortlandHeadlight

Fire Roasted Carrots with Hot Honey, Spiced Walnuts, Chèvre and Whipped Sweet Potato on a charcuterie board? At the The Well Beyond Food Project we say why the heck not?! A blend of hot and cold, sweet & savory, crunchy and creamy to please all palettes. What will you be bringing to the table this year?