Teamwork

For most of us I think we think of a plate of food. How about plates of food?
Think of Spanish tapas, Greek mezze, Lebanese dishes and so on. There’s something
to be said about sharing food.

For example, have you tried team building dinner at a Lebanese restaurant? Firstly, come the menus. The choice of all those small starter dishes and then the more substantial dishes. Even the worst communicating group of people will immediately start the discussion as to what to order? Ice breaker no 1! Then comes the food, usually in random sequence. Again, even if there is no common ground amongst the group, a discussion will inevitably evolve around food. As the dishes are passed round, then start the comparisons and opinions. Sharing of identical food is a shared experience, it creates a bond.

And then comes the wine, even if one is not an avid drinker, when sharing food in this manner, everyone will have at least one! Observe this some time. People seem to let their hair down and conversation starts deviating from food to wine and then on to any other random subject, be it football or comments about the quiet couple at the next table. All this takes teamwork. By the end of the night you will have made some new best friends!

So if you are at a loss as to the next office team building event, I highly recommend this approach. If you are on a budget I can suggest a charming little place: Massis. Massis is a Lebanese restaurant located just off Oxford Street at St Christopher’s place. You can opt to sit inside but even in the winter I would still recommend al fresco dining. The heaters will keep you warm. Massis has great food and all very reasonably priced. You can choose from a selection of cold and warm starters, I recommend you try at least one of the kibbeh or the falafel. There is also a fantastic selection of grilled dishes. If you are uncertain try the mixed grill. In the theme of teamwork you can share this also. Typically with wine, cost for two people is around £50.

Massis: 28 James Street, London, W1U 1EW