When cooking strengthens the team

Vorarlberg is not only beautiful – it is also a place where fantastic dining is possible. Those wanting to take a step beyond simply taking a stroll through the region’s culinary specialities may do so at a wide range of different cooking courses and workshops. It is a well-known fact that food connects and the friendly atmosphere makes it simply good to chat. Six ideas for cooking together, trying new things out and tasteful team building have been presented below.

Roast’n’Roll is the name of the game when you join ‘King of Barbecue’ Tom Heinzle at the barbecue tolearn how to combine foods and flavours. Those who think they already know everything there is to know about cooking on a barbecue will be surprised to find out what else you can do and, above all, what goes together. Be it summer or winter, barbecue groups manage to inspire people all year round. Up to 25 participants can join in for half a day of barbecuing, eating and working together.

Mike P. Pansi – King of ‘Alpen Culinary’ – is at least as well known in the world of food as the ‘King of Grill’. His Chef’s Table at his Pansi's Kochmeisterei pop-up restaurant in Hohenems offers space for between four and 10 guests to witness creative and new interpretations of classic Austrian cuisine. But it is not just about seeing the cook at work, it is also about being active, getting involved and helping out. Team building for all the senses!

As impressive as Mike P. Pansi’s innovative spirit is, Mrs Kaufmann’s cooking sessions are just as thrilling. Not only is Mrs Kaufmann the winner of the Vorarlberg Tourism Innovation Award, she is also and – above all – a refreshingly unusual cook. By the time her cooking sessions have come to an end, everyone present will have realised how uncomplicated cooking can be and how to plan for an entire week in no time at all. Practical knowledge for all, top atmosphere for great conversations and, of course, incredibly good food.

A new love for award-winning cuisine: insects have recently become Europe’s crunchiest food trend. So an insect cooking workshop is the ideal opportunity to try something together as a team that perhaps no one has dared to do before. These unusual treats are boiled, grilled and fried. It’s really entertaining as chef Anja shares how good this super-food actually is.

At Livis Küche, there’s something that caters to all tastes. Participants are taken on a culinary mission as Livia imparts the top tips she learned in award-winning restaurants. Especially popular are her culinary world-tour and the aperitivo lungo, where guests get stuck in and prepare their own finger food to match their drinks. In a convivial atmosphere, the course can take place in Livia's own kitchen or in your own office kitchen for groups of 6 or more people.

Tie up your aprons, heat up the oven, and get ready to bake: In this workshop with Sabine and Xaver not only can you try delicious organic cookies and mountain cheese snacks, you can also learn straight from the professionals how to bake an outstanding tart. There’s space for up to 10 people in this organic bakery and as soon as the pastries are in the oven, you can sit down together with coffee, tea and cookies. Bring about 2.5 hours of time and plenty of hunger.

It's an open secret that for a really good Kässpätzle, no path is too far, no mountain too high. When it comes to team building, the journey itself can be the goal, but the best awaits you at Kriegeralpe: Helga Lucian teaches participants all they need to know about the art of Kässpätzle, including giving her own special recipe. After the hour-or-so hike from Oberlech, you really deserve a bite to eat yourself, but you can also take the Peterboden cable-car and shorten the walk to just 15 minutes.

Lying significantly closer to sea level, there’s also essküche Götzis. There, guests gather around the kitchen island to prepare one course after the other before it is enjoyed at a large table. Everyone contributes and takes something away with them. Coming together in this relaxed setting is ideal for the start of an important project or an activity based around a company event. The infrastructure for the latter is available here too, as well as a flip chart and fast internet.

Another unique location awaits for those who join a baking course with Pauline Burtscher. It all takes place in the bakery of a 350-year-old converted farmhouse on the Ludescherberg mountain. The view from up top speaks for itself, as does the warmth of the hostess. Every year at her “Paulinarium”, Pauline plans a varied program that is perfect for company events, team building and activity programs.