Lunch Challenge

During the cooking challenge, I saw the day as a great effort to strengthen the BLF connection with our families.  Explaining what exactly challenges in BLF are like can be difficult at times, the cooking event helped in showing how the challenges are usually open for a personal touch.  The program needs supporters.  Building a sustainable program needs a strong supporter base, not only financially but by building the programs reputation. 

We had a great dynamic in our kitchen.  The moms took care of the more difficult parts of cooking the main parts of the dishes.  I didn’t notice any difference in how Brandon, Sheila and I acted while around our families.  It was a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Brandon and I reminded our team to aim to have everything done 5-10 minutes before we needed to, so we could have more time for preparing our presentation.  Our goal was met, and we didn’t feel rushed at the end.  It was similar to working with fellows in that, we had our areas that we chose and did well at.  I think the difference was the work load did not get pushed to the end.  The difference was our team planned ahead better, and set rough goals to have things done by.  That was very beneficial.

The most challenging part for me was trying to find something to deep-fry. I just started to slice oranges and pears up for the presentation plate while I thought on what I could use to deep-fry.   I spent the first 30 minutes looking and thinking up something, anything to deep-fry.  I thought of bread, pears, and oranges, but when wiser people, the moms, kept looking at me with a look of “What” on their faces, I knew that wasn’t the answer.  When Brandon was carrying a few bananas back to our area, we talked if it was even possible to deep-fry bananas.  After talking about it, we decided to go for it!  Long story short, through working together and using our creativity, we had our own unique touch on one of our dishes. Personally I used creativity, communication, and teamwork in this challenge.

 

I would highly recommend having this type of fun challenge another time. It was fun, relaxed, and it still teaches the parents and the fellows about team work and working with people that are older and wiser than you.  I loved our food, and thought we did a really good job.  One recommendation for next time would be, having each team make one extra plate so every other team can sample their competitors dishes.  I was so impressed by the other teams and what they came up with. I wish we had the chance to try all the other dishes. 

 

Until next week,

Jack