So as we end 2018 we have listened to our Kitchen Challenge participants during the year. This is their feedback to us.

 

We are delighted on 13th December 2018 to be granted Social Traders Certification for Kitchen Challenge and Food Works Australia Pty Ltd

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Delighted to share with you the video of CapacityDELTA – a human potential project with the amazing Bendelta organisation.

They combined the award winning Kitchen Challenge with their academic knowledge on developing capacity and created Capacity DELTA. Enjoy the video and if you are interested do contact the Bendelta team directly.

CapacityDELTA You Tube Video

Delighted to hear that our  Kitchen Challenge Website    won an award on 23rd Feb 2018 at the Local Government Professional Dinner for Best Project for Diversity and Inclusion with Brimbank City Council.

Its credit to Miele Australia for their investment and all the participants and collaborators on the project that make it what it is.

We thank you all dearly for your efforts. To win such an award after less than two years of trading in Australia is an awesome feeling and inspires us to do even more.

Thank you.

 

 

We are delighted to announce the award of a Distinguished Talent Visa to our Founding Director Rob Rees MBE DL.

Having successfully gained permanent residency, we today review 2017 and discuss the future of one of our key projects – Kitchen Challenge.

2017 has been spent developing Kitchen Challenge Australia – a project that changes behaviour and unlocks potential. Pilot projects took part in Bendigo, Melbourne and Sydney.

The Kitchen Challenge program is delivered 1 day per week for 8 weeks and involves 14 people per cohort. It combines high pressure cooking environment with personal development scenarios. Concluding with a stakeholder celebration for 45 people, the cohort prepare and serve food of the highest quality.

50 people directly (180 indirectly) experienced the developmental journey in 2017 with aspirations for 210 in 2018 and 350 in 2019 in Australia and New Zealand.

The project has overarching goals in developing leaders, creating meaningful employment, igniting human potential and showcasing the value of purpose in a business world. It involves preparing many new recipes, practical surprises and academic theory. Everyone has their own motivations for taking part.

In addition, Kitchen Challenge, blends leaders from the business world with people who, for many reasons, face challenges in their lives. 2017 involved carers, those overcoming addiction, homelessness and wider mental health issues. Importantly though it recognises the person not the problem.

2018 will extend participation to young people aged 18 to 24 as well as those living in social housing.

What does Kitchen Challenge look like in 5 years?

• It will be an essential solution for commissioners in preventive health, community development and career creation in Australia and New Zealand.
• It will be informing changes in Government policy, structures and process in health, education, and the economy – saving public money.
• It will be supporting the development of better purpose, employer engagement and connectivity in 100 businesses. Those companies will become equipped to be outstanding in their field.
• We will have a robust evidence base gathered in partnership with collaborators and hybrid challenges that will ensure a sustainable investment.
• 30% of our participants will have become entrepreneurs
• 99% of participants will have improved mental health and well-being.
• 50% of participants will be Employers and Employees from the SME sector ,Start Up companies and Social Entrepreneurs
• Over 1000 participants will have engaged in our activities.
• We (in partnership with others) will have hub kitchens in Sydney and Melbourne offering community enrichment, workforce development and food skills fit for the future across communities.

As we reflect, adapt and look forward what have we learnt?

We have experienced just a small amount of the diversity of Australia. An amazing country and one that has welcomed our work. The communities we have engaged with are full of great people and opportunity. We are relishing the creation of something that improves lives and creates mutually beneficial understanding.

Participants of the challenge share their vulnerabilities, develop and share skills, collaborate with purpose and as individuals recalibrate their own goals, aspirations and opportunities.

Thanks to trailblazers like Miele Australia, Brimbank City Council, Bendelta, Bendigo Secondary College and other interested collaborators the Australian challenge has begun. There are results showing significant improvements in health and wellbeing amongst all taking part and subsequent changes in sense of purpose, emotional intelligence, connection and empathy of participants.

Rob Rees MBE DL says “The first year’s participants have helped to create a project that others will now follow. They have led the way with their investment of time, skills and collaboration. We have something now pertinent and ready to deliver across Australia and New Zealand. I can’t thank them enough for their investment as pioneers and leaders. It’s exciting times for Kitchen Challenge over the next 5 years.”

Find out more at http://www.kitchenchallenge.com.au

http://www.facebook.com/foodworks1

We are ready to share knowledge, collaborate, scale up, innovate and help seek out positive change.

 

Our first #Potentiology Kitchen Challenge has concluded and what a fantastic program it was.
Participants from varying backgrounds and circumstances came together to overcome a myriad of challenges. Each challenge designed to push the boundaries and aide each participant in developing to their true potential.

“The science and art of realising human potential”
– Bendelta, Potentiology developers and Kitchen Challenge partners

Joined by MasterChef 2016 winner, Elena Duggan, participants shared their vulnerability to develop connection, purpose and improved emotional agility.

An important part of each Kitchen Challenge program is for each participant to trust the process.

Rob Rees MBE DL, Kitchen Challenge founder, noted that “Everyone (including Elena and I) trusted the process.”

Participants were pushed further out of their comfort zone when faced with a surpise ‘pop-up shop’ in which they had less than 24 hours to prepare and deliver to the locals of Bondi, NSW.

Coming together and arising to the challenge yet again, the blended team took on the challenge to deliver a successful and SOLD OUT event held at the Wayside Chapel, Bondi.

This blended and immersive experience created enriched purpose and powerful positive change.

Congratualations to all involved in Kitchen Challenge – Potentiology and many thanks to our partners at Bendelta.

For more about Bendelta’s potentiology program click here

 

We are now taking public speaking and event engagements for 2018.

Rob is available to talk on a wealth of issues and topics.

Each presentation is full of stories, sense of purpose, change and about others.

Rob has a myriad of experiences to share with you and your guests.

To book Rob for 2018 please contact us now

A big congratulations to the Kitchen Challenge Cohort 3 participants!  A trying, yet successful 8 weeks saw the development of 12 individuals both in the kitchen and out.  Participants engaged in 8 days of intense learning of culinary, leadership and team work skills. Consistently pushing each individual out of their comfort zone. Experiences included learning about nutrition, beekeeping, menu design and the delivery of a full resturant session to 45 guests. Participants included carers in the Brimbank area and Corporate employees from appliance experts Miele. Participants embraced the challenge, many taking the new learnt skills home to their families and friends, expanding the reach of the Kitchen Challenge program.

“[Kitchen Challenge] was a blast it gave me confidence, it gave me courage it and made me do things I would normally not do. Using food as a foundation is a great concept, as everyone knows food, everyone eats food and everyone can relate to food. I met new friends and I learnt new skills, but most of all I met an amazing man called Rob Rees, Thank you Rob.” – Kitchen Challenge Cohort 3, Head Chef John

 

The challenge ended with a day of reflection as the team prepared the successful resturant dishes for themselves.  This challenge proved the value of Kitchen Challenge as we saw a tremendous amount of growth from each individual. We wish all the Cohort 3 participants the best moving forward with their new found skills and abilities.

To book your Challenge experience in 2018 please visit Kitchen Challenge Website