Coventry based, Warwick Conferences, part of the University of
Warwick, recently played host to a dynamic new executive training
event, in the style of popular TV show 'Hell's Kitchen'.
The hands-on training exercise was trialed at the Conference
Park as part of the Outsourcing Leadership Academy (OSLA) hosted
for Capgemini, one of the world's foremost providers of consulting,
technology and outsourcing services, by Warwick Business
School.
The joint venture between Warwick Business School and Warwick
Conferences was devised as an extension to the existing Outsourcing
Leadership Academy programme run for Capgemini UK's Outsourcing
Services. The event was designed to take candidates out of the
classroom and immerse them in a practical exercise that would test
the participants' leadership, team and practical skills in a fun
yet demanding setting.
The Hell's Kitchen event saw two teams of Capgemini UK business
managers battle it out in the heat of the kitchen. With a budget of
£100 each and access to a store cupboard of core ingredients,
both teams were tasked with planning, preparing and cooking a
three-course meal , including laying and decorating the tables,
creating an ambience, producing marketing materials and menus, and
pre-dinner drinks. 'Wildcard' demands were also thrown at the teams
throughout the challenge to keep them on their toes.
An assembled 'restaurant' of 40 people was made up of senior
directors from Capgemini UK, members of Warwick Business School
executive team and Warwick Conferences' executive chef, Graham
Crump. Diners were then asked to rate the meal and their experience
by paying a sum between the range of £0 and £50. The
team taking the most on the day won the task.
Michelin Star-winning chef Chris Barber, who was personal chef
to Prince Charles for a decade and recently appeared alongside
Raymond Blanc in the BBC2 series 'Out of the Frying Pan', was also
on hand to guide the teams and cast a critical eye on their
efforts.
Iona Thomas, business manager, executive education at Warwick
Business School comments: "The Hell's Kitchen initiative was
designed to provide a dynamic and challenging exercise that
incorporates elements of leadership, high performing teams,
planning, customer service and process delivery. The activity was a
terrific success, and feedback from all involved has been
universally enthusiastic. Plans are now in place to make Hell's
Kitchen a core element of all Capgemini's Leadership Academy
sessions in the future."
Rachel Bartlett, head of sales and marketing at Warwick
Conferences said: "Using the kitchen as an environment for training
allowed the candidates to experience performing tasks under extreme
pressure; it certainly is a unique and dynamic arena to learn in.
We're particularly pleased with the success of this event and look
forward to working with the business school and Capgemini on
further Hell's Kitchen events."