Imagine planning a trip where the objective is to engage your employees in new activities outside the office. The main objective is quite challenging to initiate but can be achieved with some effort. The struggle here is finding a destination and activities that engage everyone because you are not planning a family vacation trip; you are organizing a retreat experience for employees aged between 20 and 60.
When creating a retreat, our first recommendation is to choose a theme. Is it a wellbeing retreat or an adventurous retreat? What about a Culinary Retreat? A theme can help you give a storytelling aspect to the trip. However, this does not necessarily preclude creating a retreat where you can have a mix of pillars, but be aware of what those might be.
Through our Betreat experience managing these large corporate retreats, we discovered that the exact moments when everyone was enjoying and communicating with their team were during lunch and dinner times. After all, who isn't happy when they are relaxed, eating delicious food?
The experience of pleasure when consuming foods we enjoy is grounded in biochemical and neural responses. The release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine during the intake of pleasurable foods reinforces the positive association between the food and the sensation of happiness (Macht & Dettmer, 2006). Furthermore, activation of brain areas related to enjoyment and reward has been demonstrated to contribute to an overall sense of well-being (Kringelbach, 2004).
In this way, and after much research, we began creating culinary company retreats as a response to team building where everyone can explore a new place, engage in team building activities, having fun, and enjoy a culinary experience from another world.
In the quest to find the perfect locations for this retreat, we decided to focus on the following pillars: beautiful landscapes, rich heritage, cultural richness, and exceptional food and beverage traditions. Thus, with the assistance of Switzerland's finest chefs, we opted to base this retreat on the destinations described below.
3 Destinations for a complete Culinary retreat
Ticino - Switzerland
Ticino, a UNESCO destination, offers an immersion into a world of exquisite cuisine, rich cultural activities, picturesque locations, and the warmth of an Italian-speaking community. Known for its sunshine, palm trees, beautiful lakes, swans, stunning hiking routes, delicious pastas, funiculars, hidden waterfalls, crystal clear waters, tasty aperitifs, flowery parks, and everything else linked to the dolce vita!
With its sunny weather and charming places, Ticino sets the perfect backdrop for this unique experience. In German-speaking Switzerland, Ticino is nicknamed "Sonnenstube" (sun porch), owing to the more than 2,300 sunshine hours the canton receives every year, compared to 1,700 for Zurich.
Moreover, Ticino is one of the wine regions for Swiss wine. The defined region encompasses all of the canton plus the neighboring Italian-speaking district of Moesa (Misox and Calanca valleys) in the canton of Grisons.
Some of our favorite activities in Ticino include:
Cooking workshops
Cellar discovery and wine tasting,
Cheese fabrication and tasting,
Chocolate experiences,
Tea ceremonies at the Casa del Tè.
Emilia Romagna - Italy
Emilia-Romagna is renowned for its vast collection of PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) products, which are not easily found elsewhere. Once you arrive, you'll delve into the magnificent world of Italian food, with must-try Bologna production products such as Parma ham, Parmesan and Grana Padano cheeses, Modena balsamic vinegar, and Mortadella sausages.
Bologna, the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, and its surroundings have gained international recognition as a hub for exceptional cuisine, boasting a unique heritage and culture.
Presently, the culinary heritage intertwines tradition with innovation. While you can indulge in traditional fresh pasta crafted from age-old recipes handed down through generations, you can also explore an array of inventive and imaginative street food offerings.
For those seeking hands-on activities, immerse yourself in the art of crafting your own Italian-style ice cream. This interactive experience provides an opportunity to learn the intricacies of gelato-making while enjoying the company of your team.
Some of our favorite activities in Emilia Romagna include:
Pasta cooking classes—do you know how to make the perfect tagliatelle a la bolognese?
Vinegar cellar discovery and vinegar tasting
Discovering the world of Lambrusco
Parmigiano factory visits and tastings
Gelato workshops
Champagne - France
Champagne was a historic province in the northeast of the Kingdom of France. Renowned for its vineyards and synonymous with luxury and celebratory occasions, Champagne is produced by over 5,000 domaines throughout the region. The essence of Champagne lies in expertly pairing wines with specific foods to enhance each taste experience.
In addition to Champagne, the region also produces two still wines under the designation Coteaux Champenois Appellation d’Origine Protégée (AOP): Coteaux Champenois and Rosé des Riceys.
Being a northern region with a cool climate, Champagne boasts a variety of popular produce, including potatoes, cabbage, asparagus, rhubarb, shallots, wild mushrooms, and sugar beets. The sugar beets play a crucial role in contributing to the sugar used in the liqueur de tirage in Champagne production.
Some of our favorite activities in Champagne include:
Cellar visits in Reims
Vineyard tours and Champagne tastings
"Oenolympiades": team-building challenges
Champagne barrel workshops
Why choose a Culinary Company Retreat?
The culinary world provides a rich environment for creativity and innovation. Exploring new ingredients, cooking techniques, and flavor combinations can inspire fresh thinking and problem-solving among team members.
This retreat offers an ideal opportunity for large groups of varying ages to foster positive team chemistry. The program not only encourages participants to break away from the confines of the traditional work environment but also immerses them in a delightful tasting experience intertwined with a new culture, all within a creative and cozy space. It's a chance to cultivate meaningful connections, broaden horizons, and rejuvenate team dynamics in a setting that nurtures collaboration and camaraderie.