The group members are of mixed culinary abilities: some are dab hands in the kitchen; others have never caramelised an orange in their lives. Yet everyone happily pitches in – and slaving over a hot stove and piping chocolate custard into a profiterole helps to break down barriers. Masele Siatu’u, CPW’s human resources vice-president, says having your elbows in flour and eggs brings together fellow employees who are dispersed across the world.
This is the reason the company chose to send the team on a cookery course, says Christi Strauss, CPW chief executive. “We look for something that cuts across ages and backgrounds and cultures. If we [played] golf, it would be great for good golfers, but not necessarily for anyone else.” With cookery, she says, anyone can take part and they can participate as much or little as they want. Plus there’s a tasty meal on offer at the end of the day.