Our featured culture blog post this month is brought to you by our wonderful teammate, Mariah Lord, who not only composed the following article but also orchestrated the culture events:
In a world where there are more than 6,500 languages spoken, there is one that is “universal:” food. No matter our race, gender, socioeconomic status, or background, we all need the nutrients food provides. It is one thing we all have in common.
If you think back to the most notable moments and events in your life (weddings, graduations, birthdays, funerals, etc.), food is always present in one sense or another. The nature of eating brings people together in a way unlike anything else.
Recipe Swap and Share
We wanted to create a unique setting to see how food could bring us together at OBEO. Each teammate is unique and has a lot to offer with their different backgrounds, traditions, and food preferences. We started our efforts by holding a company “recipe swap and share.” Teammates were encouraged to bring one of their favorite dishes that remind them of home along with the corresponding recipe.
We compiled the recipes into a company cookbook – which continues to expand. Overall, this initiative has received an extremely positive response. I have watched individuals get excited as they’ve seen their recipes included in the cookbook and have been able to re-create dishes they’ve tasted from others.
Order for Another
To explore this idea further, we decided to test how well teammates know each other’s food preferences. In this blind exercise, we randomly assigned each teammate a follow employee for whom they would order lunch. We then presented five restaurant options where they could place an order. The teammate placing the order had to including every detail, (sauces and dressings), without any help.
It was interesting to watch each teammate’s thought process as they talked through their reasoning for choosing a certain meal. Some tried to reference food that they had seen their chosen person order in the past, while others, with best intentions in mind, thought of what their personal favorite menu items were.
When the food arrived, teammates were excited to see what had been ordered for them. It was fun to see how close each meal was to what they would have ordered for themselves.
Take-aways
Not only did this activity spark discussion and allow individuals to get to know each other better, it enabled them to try something new or something they may not have chosen for themselves. I personally was ordered a side dish that will now be my new go-to (who knew cauliflower soup could be so good?!).
Food is not only a necessary part of life – it truly is special and is at the center of all cultures and friend/family gatherings. We are determined to find ways to embrace this idea and make it part of our company culture.
Next time you are in the midst of preparing or sharing a meal, or delivering a gift to fellow teammates or employees, I encourage you to note how something as simple and basic as food has brought you closer.