Simple Gourmet's culinary team building activities and group culinary classes will bring your staff and clients together in a new and exciting environment. These unique activities are fun, lively and can take place in a professional kitchen or private home. Whether you're entertaining Summer Associates, recruiting employees, honoring your staff or creating a team, these events promise to encourage communication and interaction.

Each option offers something different. With our Cook Like a Chef events, you'll work together to create a simple meal using basic culinary skills. We also offer a Wine Tasting Cooking Party that mixes a lively evening of hands-on cooking with a wine-tasting dinner. And if it's simply an evening of socializing and fun you're after, try a Tapas and Cocktails event that blends cutting-edge mixology with delicious seasonal fare. Our Cake Challenge offers a chance to be truly artistic and creative, while a Kitchen Competition encourages friendly competition as teams face off in a timed cooking event that will rely on teamwork and creative problem-solving.

Cook Like a Chef

If you're looking for an evening of great food and camaraderie, this event is for you! Your guests will arrive and enjoy appetizers prepared by your Simple Gourmet™ team. Then the activities will begin with an introduction to the fresh, seasonal many you have chosen. After breaking into smaller groups, your team will use creativity, newfound culinary skills and ingenuity to make a simply delicious meal.

For a cocktail-party feel, consider our Tapas and Cocktail Party - this menu includes an assortment of appetizers and Tapas that make a multi-cultural meal. Your team will create sumptuous small bites and present them on platters for everyone to enjoy.

See our Seasonal Menus

Kitchen Competition

Simple Gourmet™ is excited to offer our popular Kitchen Competition. Your group will be divided into teams and face off in a timed competition that will rely on creativity and teamwork.

Each team will be given recipes for the menu (as chosen from our Seasonal Menus). In addition, teams will be presented with a secret ingredient, which they will have to use in at least one element of their menu. Our Simple Gourmet™ culinary staff will serve as team coaches and help them create a main course consisting of a protein, starch and seasonal vegetable, in 60 short minutes. The selected panel of judges will critique each team's offering based on taste, presentation and creativity.

See our Seasonal Menus

Cake Challenge

Creativity is the key to success as teams work together to build culinary masterpieces in our Cake Challenge. The evening begins with a brief introduction to cake-building mechanics, frosting and piping techniques from your Simple Gourmet chef. Then your group divides into smaller teams - each team will be given a number of baked and cooled cakes, frosting, coloring, cake fillings, piping bags and tips and other décor items. Teams will then have 45 minutes to build a multi-level cake, complete with filling, frosting and decoration. Simple Gourmet staff will be on hand to offer advice and expertise. You select a panel of judges to critique the cakes on creativity, stability, visual and verbal presentation and execution of company theme.

Option 1: Cake Challenge with Dinner Service

The Simple Gourmet staff will provide appetizers and a sit-down meal to cap off your evening. Please choose from our seasonal menus. Your team will leave impressed with their new-found cake decorating abilities and bonded by a fantastic evening of great food and friends.

Option 2: Cake Challenge without Dinner Service

Cake challenge events can be the perfect quick teambuilding exercise at any meeting or off site. You can choose to have just the activity and no meal service - no professional kitchen required. We can do Cake events in a hotel or office building. Pricing for activity only is priced by number of teams you will have.

Wine Tasting Cooking Party

Tapas and Cocktails

Take your cocktail party to the next level. Simple Gourmet's Tapas and Cocktails party is a hands-on team event, giving you the chance to discover the secrets behind fabulous drinks and appetizers. Your team will learn how to make two popular cocktails with a culinary twist - from trendy favorites to classic winners, these drinks feature key flavors that will pair perfectly with the evening's menu. After a mixology demo, the team will divide into groups and create a fabulous and hearty "small plates" meal. The culmination of the evening is a cocktail party where you relish the fruits of your labor. Dessert will be provided by our Simple Gourmet staff.

Tapas Menu (choose five savory items and one sweet item)

Meat & Seafood Selections

• Thai Shrimp Fritters with Apricot-Chili Dipping Sauce
• White Wine Poached Salmon with Fennel-Grapefruit Marmalade on Cucumber Coins
• Tandoori Grilled Prawns with Cilantro Chutney
• Spanish Style Garlic Braised Prawns with Grilled Bread
• Sesame Shrimp with Avocado on Cucumber Coins
• Chili-Rubbed Prawns, Arugula and Fontina Triple Decker Quesadillas topped with Roasted Tomato Salsa
• Chorizo, Potato and Goat Cheese Spanish Tortilla with Parsley Pesto
• Grilled Moroccan Spiced Chicken Skewers with Saffron-Lemon Aioli
• Italian Mini Burgers with Roasted Tomato-Garlic Sauce, Parmesan Aioli and Basil Leaves
• Roasted Chicken and Blue Cheese Sliders with Crispy Celery Slaw
• Jamaican Spiced Pork Sliders with Mango-Scallion Slaw
• Mediterranean Meatballs Stuffed with Feta and Herbs
• Sushi Station: Spicy Shrimp, California and Vegetable Rolls (seafood & vegetarian options)
• Grilled Pizza Station: Marguerita, Pesto-Mushroom-Goat Cheese, Sausage-Fennel (meat & vegetarian options)
• Chinese Ginger-Chive Meatballs with Sweet Ginger-Chili Dipping Sauce
• Vietnamese Chicken Summer Rolls with Avocado and Scallions (meat & vegetarian options)
• Thai Beef Satay with Peanut Sauce
• Seared Steak Crostini with Caramelized Onion Horseradish Sauce and Chopped Tomato Relish

Vegetarian Selections

• Pistachio Pesto, Roasted Pepper and Mozzarella Triple Decker Quesadillas Roasted Potato Stacks with Goat Cheese and Tapenade
• Black Bean & Manchego Empanadas with Chimichurri Dipping Sauce
• Cheddar-Chive Mini Biscuits with Dried Apricot Butter
• Fresh Corn Fritters with and Crème Fraiche and Dill (also available w/ Applewood Smoked Bacon)
• Provencal Tomato Tarts with Olives, Caramelized Onions and Herbs de Provence
• Warm Brie, Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomato Dip with Grilled Asparagus Spears
• Balsamic-Glazed Butternut Squash Mini Skewers with Fresh Mozzarella and Basil
• Roasted Potato, Baby Tomato and Arugula Salad with Crumbled Blue Cheese
• Tuscan Panzanella Salad with Garlic Croutons, Tomatoes, Tri-Color Peppers and Lemon-Basil Olive Oil
• Grilled Caesar Salad with Roasted Red Peppers and Parmesan Crostini
• Shaved Fennel, Orange and Watercress Salad with Maple-Orange Dressing

Sweet Selections

• Rich Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Frosting
• Tangy Lemon Cupcakes filled with Lemon Curd
• Coffee-Soaked Tiramisu Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting & Cocoa Powder
• Mini Flourless Chocolate Cakes with Mocha Cream
• Chocolate-Espresso Pudding Shots
• Caramel Croissant Bread Pudding with Whiskey Whipped Cream
• Ricotta Orange Pound Cake Squares topped with Balsamic-Marinated Strawberries
• Triple Berry Trifles with Meringue and Orange-Scented Cream
• Sweet Shortcake Biscuits with Crushed Fresh Berries and Vanilla Bean Chantilly

Cocktail Menu (choose two drinks)

• Pomegranate Honey Mojitos
• Cucumber-Lime Mojitos
• Limoncello Spritzer with Fresh Strawberries
• Honeydew Proscecco Bellini
• Passionfruit-Ginger Martini
• Cran-Raspberry Martini
• Triple Citrus Margaritas
• Rose Sangria with Strawberries and Apples

Our Clients

Corporate Clients:

• 20th Century Fox
• Ameriprise Financial
• Amgen
• Astrazeneca
• Centex Homes
• The Cheesecake Factory
• Deloitte Consulting
• HBO
• Healthnet
• The Hearst Group
• Kaiser Foundation Healthplan
• Kor Hotel Group
• Landmark Aviation
• LIFE Magazine
• McKinsey & Company
• Neutrogena
• NBC
• People en Español
• Promises Treatment Centers
• Scripps
• Times, Inc.
• The Walt Disney Company
• Warner Bros.
• Xerox Corporation

Law Firm Clients:

• Bryan Cave
• Greenberg & Glusker
• Hogan & Hartson
• Holland & Knight
• Howrey
• Hughes, Hubbard & Reed
• Kirkland & Ellis
• Latham & Watkins
• Manatt, Phelps & Phillips
• Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw
• McDermott, Will & Emery
• Milbank
• Munger, Tolles & Olson
• O'Melveny & Meyers
• Orrick
• Paul Hastings
• Proskauer & Rose
• Sonnenschein
• Sullivan & Cromwell
• Thelen, Reid & Priest
• White & Case
• Winston & Strawn

Gifts

Simple Gourmet aprons, chef coats and gift bags make the perfect, personalized gift for your team! We can create a special, personalized gift especially for your team, such as:

• Aprons (with Simple Gourmet logo, your guests' names or company logo) - starting at $18
• Chef Coats (black or white, with Simple Gourmet logo, your guests' names or company logo) - starting at $25
• Gift bags are available in $15, $25 and $50 sizes - choose from must-have culinary tools and/or items that are specifically used to create your event menu.

Simple Gourmet gift certificates are also a great surprise for any occasion. Delight your team or special guests with an in-home private cooking class or intimate catered dinner.

Locations

Simple Gourmet has contracts with the following professional kitchens. We will arrange the kitchen rentals for your event.

• Greater Los Angeles
  • N. La Brea Ave.
  • W. Pico Blvd.
  • W. Washington Blvd.
  • West Hollywood
• East of L.A.
  • La Cañada
  • Pasadena
• South Bay
  • Hermosa Beach
  • The Simple Gourmet Kitchen at Redondo Beach
• Orange County
  • Diamond Bar
  • Newport Beach

Let us know if you have a special location in mind or would like to host a teambuilding in your home!

Plan Your Event

At Simple Gourmet, we work with you to make event planning easy! Our straightforward pricing, delicious menus and friendly staff will help you in choosing the best options for your team. Contact us for seasonal menu options, pricing and location details. Use the contact form below, or call us at 310-318-6484.

FAQs

• How many people can I have?
  Our teambuilding events are for groups of 10-50 people, based on the location selected.
• What about pricing?
  Pricing is based on group size and location. Event fee includes kitchen rental, non alcoholic beverages, staff, 2 appetizers prepared by Simple Gourmet staff, and all food and supplies needed to create your menu choice. Contact us for a quote using our contact form or by calling us at 310-318-6484.
• What about wine?
  Simple Gourmet staff does NOT provide or handle wine and other alcoholic beverages. However, we have relationships with wine shops and can refer you to sommeliers who can help with wine selection for your event. Please let us know if you need assistance with wine selection or delivery.
• How long are the events?
  Our events are 2 1/2 - 3 hours. Culinary Bootcamp is an all-day event that can last from 6-8 hours. All events begin with appetizers and beverages as your guests arrive, after which your Simple Gourmet chef will do a brief introduction and orientation on the recipes and ingredients for your event.
• What about tables, linens, glassware and other supplies?
  Basic tables, chairs, linens, glassware, dishes and flatware are supplied by most of the professional kitchens we work with. We can coordinate additional rentals needs (such as specialty glassware or tables) for an additional cost.
• What gifts are available for my guests?
  Personalized aprons are the perfect gift for your team! Simple Gourmet aprons start at $18 each. Additional colors and logo embroidery are available for additional costs. We can also help coordinate culinary gifts bags for your team with items used in their events!

Seasonal Menus – Spring/Summer 2010

Italian

• Oregano-Scented White Bean Puree with Roasted Garlic-Caper Salsa Verde
• Antipasto Platter of Marinated Peppers, Cured Meat, Artisinal Cheese & Warm Baguette
• Prawn Cacciatore with Roasted Tri-Color Peppers, Fresh Tomatoes and White Wine
• -- or --
• Roman Chicken Scaloppini with Sage-Lemon Butter and Crushed Tomato Salsa Cruda
• Chucky Gazpacho Salad with Vine-Ripe Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers, Basil Leaves & Garlic Croutons
• Browned Butter Orzo with Lemon, Spinach and Almonds

(Please choose a prawn or chicken option)

Wine suggestions: mild reds (Pinot Noir, Tempranillo) and crisp whites (Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc)

American Bistro

• BLT Tarts with Sundried Tomatoes, Goat Cheese and Applewood Smoked Bacon topped with Arugula Leaves
• Brie-Stuffed Crimini Mushrooms with Garlic-Toasted Breadcrumbs
• Grilled Flank Steak with Roasted Red Pepper Steak Sauce (available with chicken)
• Roasted Red Potatoes with Blue Cheese Butter and Chopped Mint
• Fresh Corn and Asparagus Succotash with Baby Tomatoes and Dill

Wine suggestions: hearty California reds & whites (Syrah, Cabernet, Zinfandel, Chardonnay)

French

• Rosemary, Pecan and Gorgonzola Puff Pastry Pinwheels
• Endive Spears with Creamy Chilled Tarragon Shrimp
• Creamy Dijon Chicken Fricassee with Baby Tomatoes and Thyme
• Roasted Shallot, Herb & Gruyere Rustic Smashed Potatoes
• Provencale Baked Summer Squash, Tomatoes and Caramelized Onions

Wine suggestions: French red and white Bordeaux, California Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs

Paella Party (not recommended for Kitchen Competition)

• Roasted Potato Coins with Goat Cheese and Olive Tapenade
• Warm Mushroom Toasts with Saffron Aioli
• Black Bean & Manchego Empanadas with Chimichurri Sauce
• Chicken, Chorizo and Shrimp Paella
• Arugula, Orange and Date Salad with Citrus-Sherry Vinaigrette

Wine suggestions: Spanish reds (Tempanillo, Barolo), Spanish rose, crisp whites (Pinot Grigio)

Dessert Options

• Baked Hot Chocolates with Mocha Cream
• Lemon Pudding Cakes with Blackberry Sauce
• Coffee-Toffee Brownie Bars with Vanilla Ice Cream
• Chocolate-Caramel Crunch Tart with Spiced Whipped Cream
• Caramel Croissant Bread Pudding with Orange-Scented Fresh Cream
• Individual Ricotta Orange Pound Cakes with Balsamic-Strawberry Sauce
• Chocolate Mousse with Seasonal Fruit Compote
• Blueberry-Peach Almond Crumble with Vanilla Ice Cream